Name: Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 (10.5 oz) cans Campbell’s® Cream of Mushroom Soup; 3 (15.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained; 1/2 cup milk; 2 (6 oz) containers French’s Crispy Fried Onions, divided

If you’re on the hunt for comfort food that just hits the spot every time, I’ve got you covered with Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe. This classic dish is one of those warm, nostalgic recipes that’s both fuss-free and absolutely crowd-pleasing. I love this casserole because it’s quick to make, uses pantry staples, and turns out creamy with that irresistible crunchy topping — perfect whether it’s a holiday gathering or a simple weeknight side. Stick with me here; you’ll find all the tips and tricks to nail this timeless favorite!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simplicity at its Best: Just a few staple ingredients combine for a comforting classic without complicated steps.
Versatile and Crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s Thanksgiving or an everyday dinner, this casserole never fails to impress.
A Perfect Balance of Creamy and Crunchy: The fried onions on top add that crave-worthy texture contrast we all love.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance to save time on busy days or occasions.

The dish is a creamy casserole served in a white baking dish. It has a visible top layer of golden-brown crispy fried onions that look crunchy and scattered unevenly. Underneath the onions, there is a creamy and thick sauce that covers soft cooked pieces of green beans and possibly mushrooms, showing a mix of pale green and beige colors. A large silver serving spoon lifts a portion from the dish, revealing the layers clearly. The dish sits on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

I always appreciate how the ingredients for Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe come together like old friends, giving familiar flavors that bring comfort and joy. The ingredient list is straightforward, and every item plays its part perfectly. When shopping, hunt for good-quality cream of mushroom soup and those crispy fried onions — they seriously elevate the dish.

Cream of Mushroom Soup: Use Campbell’s for that traditional, creamy base that sticks to your ribs.
Cut Green Beans: Canned works great here for ease, but fresh or frozen can substitute with slight prep.
Milk: Whole milk or 2% add creaminess to the mixture, balancing the flavors.
French’s Crispy Fried Onions: The magic crunch on top — don’t skip or substitute this for anything less crispy!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve tinkered with it here and there depending on what I have on hand or the vibe I’m aiming for — and you can too! Don’t be afraid to customize it to your tastes; it’s part of the fun.

Add Cheese: I once sprinkled shredded cheddar on top before baking — it brought a gooey, melty twist that my family went crazy for.
Use Fresh Green Beans: When green beans are in season, I steam fresh ones for extra snap and flavor instead of canned.
Mushroom Variations: Using a cream of celery or chicken soup instead can offer subtle flavor tweaks if you want to experiment.
Make it Vegan: Swap the cream of mushroom soup with a plant-based version and use dairy-free milk; top with vegan fried onions for a cruelty-free version.

How to Make Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. I always spray my 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to keep things from sticking and make clean-up way easier — trust me, it’s a game changer! This small prep step sets you up for success.

Step 2: Mix the Green Bean Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the three cans of drained cut green beans with all three cans of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup and half a cup of milk. Then, stir in one container of those crispy French’s fried onions. This mix gives you that creamy, savory base with a little crunch hiding inside. Make sure to mix everything evenly so each bite delivers maximum flavor.

Step 3: Assemble and Top Your Casserole

Pour your green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly. Now for my favorite part — sprinkle the remaining container of crispy fried onions right on top. They toast up beautifully in the oven creating that iconic golden crunch we all look forward to.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbling and Golden

Bake the casserole at 350°F for about 30 to 35 minutes. Keep an eye out for bubbling at the edges and a lovely golden brown crust on top. This is what tells me it’s done. Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes once it’s out of the oven; it sets nicely and makes serving easier without losing that ooey-gooey charm.

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Pro Tips for Making Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Drain Well: Make sure to drain the canned green beans thoroughly to avoid a watery casserole.
Don’t Overmix: Stir gently when combining ingredients — overmixing can break down the beans and make the texture mushy.
Add Topping Last: Always add the crispy onions right before baking to keep them crunchy and fresh.
Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to sit after baking helps it firm up and enhances the flavors.

How to Serve Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

A serving of creamy green bean casserole on a white plate with a gray textured pattern. The dish has soft green beans mixed into a thick white creamy sauce with small chunks of mushrooms visible. The top layer is covered with golden-brown crispy fried onion rings and smaller fried onion pieces scattered unevenly. The casserole’s texture shows both creamy smoothness and crunchy fried bits, with the green beans peeking through. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Personally, I keep it simple and just add an extra sprinkle of crispy fried onions right before serving for that extra crunch and flair. Sometimes, a little fresh cracked black pepper on top brightens it up nicely, and I’ve seen folks add chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color — looks pretty on the plate!

Side Dishes

This casserole is a perfect companion to roasted turkey, baked ham, or grilled chicken. Whenever I make it, I also serve up mashed potatoes and something green like steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this casserole in individual ramekins instead of one big dish — it feels elegant and makes portion control easy. Another fun idea is layering it in a trifle dish so you can see the layers of creamy beans and crunchy topping, which always gets a few “oohs” at the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the casserole tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to four days, and honestly, the leftovers taste just as comforting — sometimes even better after the flavors meld a bit.

Freezing

If I’m prepping ahead for a big get-together, I assemble the casserole without the fried onion topping, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and then freeze it. When I’m ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge, add the topping fresh, and bake it. It works surprisingly well, though the texture is best fresh.

Reheating

Reheating individual servings in the microwave for about a minute works well if you’re in a hurry. For the whole casserole, I prefer reheating it in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes so it heats evenly and keeps that crispy topping pretty much intact.

FAQs

Can I use fresh green beans for Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! If you prefer fresh green beans, I recommend trimming and steaming them until tender-crisp before using. Just swap them in place of canned, but make sure they’re well-drained and cooled first to keep the casserole from getting watery.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, this casserole can be made 24-48 hours ahead. Just prepare the mixture and cover it with plastic wrap in the fridge, then add the crispy onion topping right before baking. It saves you time and still tastes fresh when served.
What if I don’t have Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup?

If you don’t have Campbell’s, you can try other brands or make a homemade mushroom sauce, but expect a subtle change in taste. The classic flavor comes from the Campbell’s variety, which many purists swear by.
How do I keep the fried onions crunchy?

To keep that signature crunch, only add the fried onions right before baking or even sprinkle a little extra just before serving. Avoid mixing the onions into the wet ingredients too early, or they can get soggy.

Final Thoughts

Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe feels like a warm hug from the past every time I make it. It’s simple, comforting, and full of those familiar flavors that bring people together around the table. Whether you’re new to green bean casserole or a longtime fan, I truly encourage you to give this recipe a try — I promise it’ll become one of your family’s favorites too!

Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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Author: Villerius
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Grandma’s Easy Green Bean Casserole is a classic, comforting side dish perfect for holidays or family dinners. Made with creamy mushroom soup, crisp green beans, milk, and topped with golden French’s crispy fried onions, this casserole is simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Green Bean Casserole

3 (10.5 oz) cans Campbell’s® Cream of Mushroom Soup
3 (15.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained
1/2 cup milk
2 (6 oz) containers French’s Crispy Fried Onions, divided

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Instructions

Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan or casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, drained green beans, milk, and one 6 oz container of French’s crispy fried onions. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Then, top the mixture with the remaining container of crispy fried onions to add a crunchy texture.
Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the edges are beginning to brown and the casserole is bubbly, indicating it’s heated through.
Rest & Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes. This resting time helps the casserole to set and makes serving easier. Enjoy warm.

Notes

You can adjust the amount of crispy fried onions to your preference; using all the onions gives it extra crunch and flavor.
This recipe can be halved and baked in a 2-quart or 8-inch square baking dish for smaller servings.
Make-ahead tip: Prepare the casserole up to 48 hours in advance and keep covered in the refrigerator. Add the fried onion topping just before baking for best texture.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.
To reheat, microwave an individual portion for 45 seconds to 1 minute or reheat the whole dish in the oven until warm.
You can freeze the assembled casserole (without the topping) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, add the topping, and bake, adding 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time. Avoid freezing the baked casserole because the fried onions can become soggy.