Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

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This Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole is a classic side that comes together quickly, and is a perfectly delicious way to eat green beans year round.

If you have never had Campbell’s green bean casserole, then you are in for a treat! 

My family loves this dish. It’s a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but it’s so easy that we eat it year round as an easy side for any meal.

It’s perfect for potlucks, feasts, a simple side next to a rotisserie chicken, or as a side dish your kids can make with not very much adult help.

What is Green Bean Casserole?

Green bean casserole from Campbell’s is a dish that combines green beans and cream of mushroom soup and cooks them until they are creamy and flavorful. 

Then it is topped with fried onions for a delicious crunch and extra flavor. It is a perfect classic creamy casserole dish.

Who invented Green Bean Casserole?

Campbell’s says Dorcas Reilly, a woman in their test kitchen, invented this casserole in 1955. They still have her original recipe card at the National Inventors Hall of Fame!

What ingredients are in Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole?

• Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: adds a creamy mushroom flavor to coat each green bean
• Milk: makes the canned soup thinner so it mixes better
• Soy Sauce: adds a perfect saltiness and mixes well with the creamy mushroom soup
• Frozen Green Beans: my favorite way to have perfectly fresh produce is to get them frozen, ready to use (be sure to thaw them first!)
• Fried Onions: an easy way to get deliciously fried onion flavor in every bite

How to make Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole:

1. Combine casserole ingredients.
2. Bake.
3. Sprinkle Fried Onions on top.
4. Bake until golden.
5. Serve!

Can you make Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble this up to two days in advance, just stop and cover it before baking. Then cook and top with onions right before serving.

However, it comes together so fast and so easy (no chopping or extra steps needed) that I usually just make it right before we need to eat it.

Can you freeze Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole?

Yes! Freezing will work best if you have not cooked the casserole. Mix ingredients together, do not bake, place in freezer safe containers and save until you are ready to bake and top with fried onions.

If you have already cooked the dish, you can still freeze the leftovers, but the fried onions will get soggy. 

Some people scrape off the fried onions before freezing to stop them from getting soggy. Other people leave them on and just add new friend onions before reheating it again. 

Whatever you decide, you will need new fried onions to keep that crispy topping after this dish has been frozen.

Do you have to use cream of mushroom soup in Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole?

To make a classic Campbell’s soup green bean casserole, cream of mushroom soup is one of the star ingredients. But even Campbell’s says you can substitute with another cream soup. 

Popular substitutes are cream of chicken or cream of celery. It will change the flavor, but if you don’t like mushrooms that is probably a good thing!

Why do you use frozen green beans?

In Campbell’s original green bean casserole recipe, they call for canned green beans. But I like the taste of frozen green beans better.

Frozen green beans are picked at peak freshness, partially cooked, instantly cooled, and then frozen to keep them perfectly fresh and crisp any time of the year.

They give a better crunch and a truer green bean flavor than canned green beans that are canned with other liquids.

Frozen produce is always perfectly fresh and partially cooked. It’s also faster to use. I prefer my version of Campbell’s green bean casserole recipe with frozen green beans.

Could you use fresh green beans in Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole? 

Yes. But you will need to wash, trim the ends, and pre-cook the beans, before you can use them in the casserole dish.

And honestly, sometimes fresh produce gets lost in my fridge and goes past its freshest period before I can use it, so using frozen green beans guarantees them to be perfectly fresh when I need them.

Is the traditional Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole vegan friendly?

No. Cream of mushroom soup and milk are both dairy products making this dish not vegan friendly.

Is the traditional Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole gluten free?

No. Using traditional ingredients, this dish will contain gluten. Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, French’s fried onions, and regular soy sauce all have gluten.

However, there are brands of cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, and soy sauce that are all gluten free. Be sure to check the labels of your ingredients if you are trying to make this recipe gluten free.

Can dogs eat Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole?

No. Onions are dangerous for dogs, and mushrooms and cream can make a dog’s stomach upset.

Instead of this Campbell’s green bean casserole recipe, feed your dog plain raw green beans. Raw green beans are very good for dogs.

Is Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole healthy?

This dish has green beans, onions, mushrooms, and milk which are all healthy components of a balanced diet. You decide how this creamy dish fits into your food lifestyle.

More Green Bean Recipes You’ll Love…

• Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
• How to Can Green Beans
• Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans
• 3 Bean Salad

Campbell’s green bean casserole dish is one of my go to sides for almost any occasion. With it’s simple ingredients, fast prep time, and delicious flavors, I know it will be one of your favorites too!

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