Description
This Easy Cream Cheese Green Bean Casserole is a creamy, comforting side dish perfect for holidays and family dinners. Combining green beans with a smooth mixture of cream cheese, mushroom soup, and seasonings, topped with crispy fried onions, it offers a delicious twist on the classic green bean casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 4 cups green beans (canned, drained; fresh, blanched; or frozen, thawed and dried)
Creamy Sauce
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 cup fried onion rings (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the softened cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Combine the green beans: Add the prepared green beans to the saucepan with the creamy mixture, stirring well to coat all the beans evenly with the sauce.
- Add cheese (optional): Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the mixture, enhancing the creamy texture and flavor.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour and spread the green bean mixture evenly into the greased 9×9-inch baking dish, ensuring an even layer for baking.
- Top with fried onions: Sprinkle the fried onion rings uniformly over the top of the casserole to add a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the onions on top turn golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set and avoid burns.
Notes
- You can use fresh, canned, or frozen green beans depending on availability — just adjust blanching or thawing as needed.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure that the cream of mushroom soup is vegetarian-friendly or use a homemade alternative.
- Optional cheddar cheese adds a nice richness but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
- If you prefer, use homemade fried onions for added flavor and crispness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
