Ultimate Green Bean Casserole Recipe (secret ingredient)

Classic green bean casserole is given a delicious spin by adding a secret ingredient. Green beans in a creamy sauce, bubbling up through the top of the golden brown crispy onions. In my opinion, this perfect side dish should grace every holiday table from coast to coast.

Why I love green bean casserole so much..

Green Bean Casserole is nostalgic. Growing up we only ever had it at Thanksgiving dinner. Honestly, as a grown up I only ever have it on Thanksgiving Day. Unless one of my pesky offspring asks to have it on their birthday. Which has been known to happen a time or two. Seriously, why is this mashup of green beans and cream of mushroom soup one of the best things I’ve ever eaten? Growing up we had the classic Betty Crocker, or was it Campbells Soup recipe, either way it was your basic green bean casserole. Then one year my sister brought THIS green bean casserole to the Thanksgiving table. And the rest is history. Our lives were forever changed. There’s the life we led before, and the life we lead now. Basically they are the same lives, just with this green bean casserole recipe. I realize not everyone is a lover of this classic dish. I spent a few hours going down a deep green bean casserole hole on the internet. There are many camps. There is camp 1. make a bechamel sauce and pour it over blanched french green beans. Camp 2.  fresh green beans with the OG recipe. Camp 3. spend half a day making homemade cream of mushroom soup, only to make green bean casserole. Camp 4. open 6 cans, dump them together and have the best casserole of your life. I would be in camp 4. Don’t get me wrong I am not a snob about making scratch recipes. We have tried many of the other recipes. For several years my sister and I would make this secret ingredient recipe and a from scratch all day long recipe for Thanksgiving so we could do a side by side taste test and the whole family would weigh in. This recipe won every darn time. The other recipes were always delicious, just not as delicious or as simple as this one. If you want to argue with me on this topic; in the comments, in an email, or in the grocery store if you see me. Be prepared to do battle because I will defend the honor of this green bean casserole to the death. So without further ado let’s get to it!

Gather these ingredients

How to make the ultimate green bean casserole!

Step 1. Gather all your ingredients. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

 Step 2. Drain your green beans really well. I think it’s best empty all the canned green beans into a colander or a large sieve before adding to bowl. Add both cans of cream of mushroom soup, and the soy sauce.

Step 3. my favorite part, the French fried onions! Add 1 cup of the onions, and mix to combine.

Step 4. THE SECRET INGREDIENT (that is no longer secret) 16 oz of velveeta cheese cut into small cubes and mixed along with as much pepper as you like into the green bean mixture, plus a pinch of salt.

Step 5. pour all of that gooey goodness into a 11×7 or a 9×13 casserole dish. Place baking dish in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Step 6. after 15 minutes remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining French fried onions evenly over the top of the green bean casserole, return to the oven, and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Casserole should be bubbly and the onions should be golden brown and crispy. Total baking time is 30 minutes.

Could it get any easier? Ten minutes of prep, 30 minutes bake time, total time spent making the best green bean casserole recipe you will ever make, from start to finish is 40 minutes max.

Tips, Variations & FAQ’s

• Slow Cooker version: If you need to free up oven space a great way to make this happen is to mix all the ingredients in a 6-8 quart crock pot. Earlier in the day, before your oven is full of other side dishes, put the French’s friend onions on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 375 degrees, allow to cool, and place in a bowl set aside. Cook green bean casserole on high for 1 1/2 hours stirring occasionally, turn to warm when casserole is bubbling. Just before serving sprinkle previously toasted crispy fried onions over the top.
• Make-ahead instructions: This casserole is so easy to make the day before. Simply follow instructions through step 4, place in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, place the whole thing in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. Remove covering and add an additional 10 minutes to the first baking time.
• FAQ: I don’t care for canned green beans. Can I use fresh beans or frozen beans in this recipe? Yes, I’ll allow you to do this. (insert winky emoji face) You will need 2 pounds of fresh green beans, snipped, and blanched. Or 2 pounds of frozen green beans. Add an additional 10 minutes of baking time for the frozen beans.
• FAQ: I don’t care for processed cheese can I use cubes of cheddar cheese? I’m going to have to put my foot down and say NO! Don’t knock it, till you try it. I will permit you to use American cheese that you can purchase at your deli counter that is refrigerated. Basically, processed cheese is scraps of cheddar cheese processed with added whole milk products to make a softer, meltier cheese. Don’t be afraid of it. I’m sure there are worse things you could eat, or have eaten.

I know some of my friends out there are totally grossed out to the max right now.  You can’t even believe I eat this stuff.  I know who you are.  And I love you, but I just gotta say. It’s time to dip your toe in my pool. Come on in, the water’s fine. It’s just one day out of the whole gol darn year for heavens sake!  It’s not like I’m walking around the house  lickin’ on a Velveetacicle! Well I might be. Just call before you stop by please.

Thanks for stopping by! I would love to hear from you. If you like what you find here at E2g, please share on all your social media, shouting from the rooftop is acceptable as well.

XOX, Sheila