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Crispy Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Easy Bacon & Mushroom Side Dish

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This upgraded green bean casserole features fresh green beans, smoky bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and a creamy sauce, all topped with crispy fried onions and cheddar cheese. It’s a crowd-pleasing, comforting side dish perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (about 5–6 oz)
  • 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook, stirring often, until crispy (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  4. In the same pan, melt butter with reserved bacon fat. Add mushrooms and chopped onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until mushrooms are browned and onions are soft. Add minced garlic and sauté another 30 seconds.
  5. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well. Gradually pour in chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 2 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat.
  6. Stir in sour cream, fresh thyme (if using), salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, gently toss blanched green beans with the mushroom sauce, half the crispy bacon, and half the crispy onions. Mix until everything is coated.
  8. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle over the remaining bacon, remaining crispy fried onions, and shredded cheddar cheese if using.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown on top. If the onions brown too fast, tent loosely with foil.
  10. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For vegetarian, omit bacon and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika or liquid smoke. For gluten-free, use cornstarch or gluten-free flour and check crispy onion ingredients. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and omit cheese. Add crispy onions before and after baking for extra crunch. Make ahead by assembling without onions, refrigerate, and add onions before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, bacon, mushrooms, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving, Christmas, comfort food, crispy onions, easy casserole, potluck

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/crispy-green-bean-casserole-recipe-easy-bacon-and-mushroom-side-dish/