Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Recipe

The Creamiest Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Recipe Ever

Creamy green bean casserole with bacon brings comfort to your dinner table in ways you never expected.

Crispy bacon adds a smoky crunch that elevates this classic side dish.

Traditional recipes pale in comparison to this reimagined version bursting with flavor.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients create something extraordinary.

Layers of tender green beans mingle with rich, savory sauce and crunchy bacon bits.

Crisp textures and deep flavors make this dish impossible to resist.

Eager hands will reach for seconds before the first serving is complete.

Why Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Is A Comfort Classic

  • Quick and Simple Preparation: Enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience with straightforward steps that even novice cooks can master confidently.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Delight family and friends with a classic green bean casserole that combines crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and crunchy onion topping.
  • Versatile Dinner Solution: Perfect for weeknight meals, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a hearty and satisfying side dish that everyone will love.
  • Flavor-Packed Ingredient Combo: Savor the rich blend of crispy bacon, tender green beans, creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy onion topping that creates an irresistible taste sensation in every bite.

What You’ll Need For Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

For the Main Ingredients:
  • Green Beans: Fresh, tender vegetables that provide a crisp and nutritious base for the casserole.
  • Bacon: Adds a rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture to enhance the overall dish.
For the Cream Base:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup, Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Create a rich, creamy sauce that binds the ingredients together and adds depth of flavor.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp, tangy element and helps to create a smooth, melted texture.
For the Topping and Seasonings:
  • French Fried Onions, Breadcrumbs: Deliver a crunchy, golden-brown topping that adds texture and flavor contrast.
  • Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Salt: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.
  • Olive Oil: Used to prevent sticking and add a light, subtle flavor to the baking dish.

How To Make Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Step By Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent any sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Green Beans

Trim and chop green beans into neat 2-inch pieces for consistent cooking and texture.

Step 3: Cook Bacon to Crispy Perfection

Sizzle bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it turns golden and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Heavy cream
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheddar cheese

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.

Step 5: Season the Sauce

Sprinkle in:
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper
  • Salt

Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.

Step 6: Combine Bacon and Green Beans

Crumble the cooled bacon and gently fold it into the cream sauce along with the prepared green beans, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 7: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the green bean and bacon mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.

Step 8: Add Crunchy Topping

Mix french fried onions and breadcrumbs, then sprinkle the combination uniformly across the casserole’s surface.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Deliciousness

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, waiting until the top turns golden brown and edges start bubbling.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to set and flavors to mingle before serving.

Tips For Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Success

  • Drain Bacon Thoroughly: Pat bacon with paper towels to remove maximum grease, ensuring a crispy texture and preventing soggy casserole.
  • Uniform Green Bean Cutting: Slice green beans into consistent 2-inch pieces for even cooking and professional-looking presentation.
  • Season Creatively: Experiment with herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the cream sauce's flavor profile and add depth.
  • Control Moisture Level: Avoid watery results by using full-fat dairy products and draining excess liquid from ingredients before mixing.
  • Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Delicious Variations Of Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

  • Vegetarian Green Bean Casserole: Replace bacon with smoked tempeh or roasted mushrooms for a plant-based protein alternative, using vegetable broth instead of cream for a lighter sauce.
  • Gluten-Free Green Bean Delight: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal, use cornstarch as a thickener, and select gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.
  • Low-Carb Green Bean Bake: Substitute french fried onions with crushed pork rinds or toasted almond slivers, reduce cream quantity, and add extra sharp cheddar for richness.
  • Dairy-Free Green Bean Comfort: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast in place of cheese, and dairy-free cream of mushroom soup to accommodate lactose-sensitive diets.

Perfect Pairings For Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

  • Pair with Savory Red Wine: Opt for a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that complements the rich bacon and creamy sauce, cutting through the heaviness while enhancing the dish's deep flavors.
  • Serve with Roasted Herb Chicken: Prepare a simple roasted chicken seasoned with rosemary and thyme, which provides a lean protein that balances the decadent green bean casserole and adds nutritional variety.
  • Match with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness, offering a fresh counterpoint and adding brightness to the meal.
  • Complement with Buttery Rolls: Warm, soft dinner rolls help soak up the delicious creamy sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast to the crunchy fried onion topping.

How To Store Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Properly

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
  • Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even heating and maintain crispy onion topping.

FAQ Guide For Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

  • Is this recipe good for a potluck or holiday gathering?

Absolutely! This green bean casserole is a crowd-pleaser that serves multiple people and can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for large group events.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to make the entire dish gluten-free.

  • How do I prevent the casserole from becoming soggy?

To maintain crispiness, add the french fried onion and breadcrumb topping during the last 10 minutes of baking, which helps keep the top layer crunchy and golden.

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Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Recipe

Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy bacon elevates classic green bean casserole to new heights of comfort and flavor. Creamy, cheesy, and topped with crunchy bacon bits, this dish promises a delightful twist you’ll crave at every gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs fresh green beans
  • 0.5 lb bacon
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup

Dairy and Cream:

  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Toppings:

  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup french fried onions
  • 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light olive oil coating to prevent sticking.
  2. Trim the green beans and cut them into uniform 2-inch pieces, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
  3. Crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown and fully rendered, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
  4. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, heavy cream, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and well-combined.
  5. Add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to the cream mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
  6. Crumble the cooled bacon and fold it into the cream sauce along with the prepared green beans, ensuring complete coverage.
  7. Transfer the green bean and bacon mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
  8. Combine french fried onions and breadcrumbs, then sprinkle the mixture uniformly across the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
  10. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Precision matters when trimming green beans, as uniform cuts guarantee even cooking and a professional presentation.
  • Bacon selection impacts overall flavor, so opt for thick-cut varieties with robust smokiness for maximum taste impact.
  • Drain bacon thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy, ensuring a crisp and delectable texture.
  • For dietary modifications, substitute dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream and vegan cheese to accommodate lactose-intolerant or plant-based preferences.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 16 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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