This French bean casserole is a delicious twist on the classic recipe. I use a shortcut by adding condensed cream of mushroom soup, making it super easy to prepare. This is my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dish and a holiday essential whenever I’m invited to friends’ celebrations, it’s a tradition I look forward to every year! Take your green bean casserole to new heights with this easy and flavorful recipe!
French Beans Casserole
Thanksgiving always means French bean casserole at the holiday table. I learned this from my friend, I used to make it the classic way from scratch, but this year, I am making it the easy way which is equally delicious.
Fresh green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions make this dish unbeatable. It’s colorful, full of flavor, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This casserole has become a must-have for every holiday meal, not just Thanksgiving. Feel free to tweak it to match your family’s favorites!
Once you try this recipe, you’ll see that a delicious Thanksgiving side dish doesn’t have to be complicated. This is the easiest green bean casserole you’ll make, and it’s sure to steal the spotlight this Thanksgiving!
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⭐Why You'll Love This French Beans Casserole
- Simple Yet Elegant: This green bean casserole is simple, yet feels special. With just a few easy-to-find ingredients, it’s perfect for both busy weeknights and holiday feasts. It’s quick to make but comforting enough to feel like a treat.
- Make It Your Own: You can adjust the flavors to your liking—add a dash of cayenne for heat or extra cheese for richness. Want to get creative? Toss in some crispy bacon or shredded cheese to make it even better.
- Prep Ahead: This casserole is great for prepping in advance. You can put it together the day before and bake it when you're ready. Plus, it freezes well for busy nights or last-minute gatherings.
- A Hit Every Time: With its crispy onions, creamy sauce, and tender green beans, this dish is sure to impress. It’s a crowd-pleaser, whether it’s for family dinners, holidays, or potlucks!
🧾French Beans Casserole Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this French beans casserole:
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This soup is the heart of the dish, adding a creamy, savory base with earthy mushroom flavors. It ties everything together into a rich, comforting sauce. Homemade or store-bought, it’s a must-have for that classic taste. I like to use Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
- Milk: Just a splash thins out the soup for a smooth, velvety texture while balancing its richness. It keeps the casserole creamy without being too heavy.
- Soy Sauce: A little soy sauce goes a long way, adding a savory, umami depth that enhances every bite. It’s the secret ingredient that makes the flavors pop.
- Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg): A pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and a hint of nutmeg work magic. The salt lifts the flavors, the pepper adds a gentle warmth, and the nutmeg brings a touch of cozy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
- Fresh Green Beans: I love using fresh French green beans (haricots verts) for their tender-crisp texture and delicate flavor. They keep the dish light and fresh, balancing the richness of the sauce.
- Fried Onions: The crispy topping steals the show! Store-bought fried onions add crunch, sweetness, and a golden-brown finish that’s simply irresistible.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make French Beans Casserole
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Boil the French beans in salted water for 8–10 minutes.
2. In a 6x8.5-inch (16x22 cm) baking dish, mix cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.
3. Add the cooked French beans to the dish and toss to coat with the sauce.
4. Combine ⅔ of the fried onions with the French green beans and sauce.
5. Bake at 175°C (350°F) or 155°C (311°F) with a fan for 20 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the fried onions on top and bake for 5 more minutes until golden and crispy. Serve hot as a side with your main dish.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Adjust the Beans' Texture: If you like softer beans, steam or boil them a little longer before baking. For that perfect crisp-tender bite, shorten the blanching time and let the oven do the rest.
Mix the Sauce Well: Make sure to whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth. This way, the seasoning is evenly spread.
Use Foil to Prevent Over-Browning: If the onions are browning too fast, loosely cover the casserole with foil until the last few minutes of baking.
Boost the Mushroom Flavor: For a deeper mushroom taste, try adding sautéed mushrooms or use a mushroom stock cube in the sauce.
Serve Hot: For the best texture, serve the casserole right out of the oven while the onions are still crispy and the sauce is creamy.
Freezer-Friendly: You can assemble the casserole without the onions, cover it, and freeze. Just thaw it overnight, add the onions, and bake when you’re ready.
🍛More Vegetable Recipes to Try!
If you love using vegetables when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
🍛More Side Dish Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite side dish recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
French Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 297 g Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup - 1 can
- 120 ml Milk
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 500 g French Green Beans
- 250 g Fried Onions
Instructions
- Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for 8–10 minutes, then drain well.
- In a baking dish (approximately 6x8.5 inches (16x22 cm)), combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until smooth.
- Add the blanched green beans to the baking dish and toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle ⅔ of the fried onions over the green beans and toss to coat evenly with the green beans and sauce.
- Bake in the preheated at 175°C (350°F) or 155°C (311°F) fan-assisted, for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining fried onions evenly over the top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve hot as a side dish to complement your main course.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This French bean casserole is absolutely divine! The beans were tender and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. A must-try for any bean lover.