Description
Creamy garlic green bean bake brings Southern comfort to dinner tables with rich, cheesy goodness. Crisp green beans nestled in a velvety sauce will make side dishes irresistible for families craving delicious vegetable indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 33 ounces (936 grams) green beans
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 6 ounces (170 grams) fried onions
- ½ cup hard cheese, grated
- ½ cup milk (almond milk as a substitute)
Optional/Garnish Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup scallions, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius), creating an ideal baking environment for the green bean casserole.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, whole milk (240 milliliters), softened cream cheese, and finely minced garlic until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Completely drain the canned green beans, gently folding them into the creamy sauce to ensure even coating without disrupting the beans’ delicate texture.
- Blend two-thirds (around 80 grams) of crispy fried onions into the green bean mixture, distributing the crunchy elements throughout the casserole.
- Carefully transfer the green bean mixture into a 1.5-quart (1.4-liter) baking dish, smoothing the surface to create an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to become slightly bubbly.
- Remove the dish from the oven and generously top with the remaining fried onions, grated hard cheese, and optional chopped walnuts for added texture and flavor.
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden, crispy topping without burning.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the sauce settle and flavors intensify.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh scallions just before serving to add a bright, fresh element to the rich, creamy dish.
Notes
- Prep ahead by draining green beans completely to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Mix cream cheese and soup base thoroughly for a silky, smooth texture.
- Layer fried onions both inside and on top for maximum crispy crunch.
- Customize with optional walnuts for added nutty depth and protein boost.
- Let the casserole rest briefly after baking to help flavors meld and set.
- Quick 35-minute total cooking time makes this an easy weeknight side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg