Bacon Cheese Green Bean Casserole

Name: Bacon Cheese Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 10 oz bacon, chopped; 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped; 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup; 1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; black pepper, to taste; 1/2 cup milk; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided; 1 (6 oz) bag french fried onions, divided; 4 (14.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained; salt, to taste (optional)

This bacon cheese green bean casserole combines crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fried onions in a creamy mushroom base, elevated by onion soup mix for a savory holiday side with restaurant-quality flavor.

🌍American 🏷️Green bean casserole 🏷️Casserole 🏷️Thanksgiving 🏷️Holiday side dish Bacon

🏷️

🏷️Cheesy

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TikTok

Total

1h

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

10 oz bacon, chopped
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
1 (6 oz) bag french fried onions, divided
4 (14.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained
salt, to taste (optional)optional

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it's about halfway cooked and starting to get crispy.
2
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon and its grease. Sauté until the onions are softened.
3
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
4
Pour in the milk and stir to combine.
5
Add about 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it's melted into the sauce.
6
Stir in about half of the french fried onions (about 1 cup).
7
Gently fold in the drained green beans, being careful not to break them up too much.
8
Pour the mixture into a casserole dish (a 9x13 inch pan or similar size works well).
9
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
10
Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and the rest of the french fried onions.
11
Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the onions are golden brown.
12
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cook the bacon until crispy, then chop finely — this prevents soggy spots and ensures even flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
Divide the fried onions: stir half into the casserole for interior texture, reserve half for the top to maintain crispness during baking.
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble and the top is golden brown; overbaking dries out the cream sauce.
Sauté the fresh onion before adding to the soup base to remove raw bite and deepen the savory flavor profile.

Substitutions

sharp cheddar → gruyère or fontina (adds nuttier, more complex flavor)
cream of mushroom soup → cream of celery (milder, lets bacon shine)
french fried onions → panko breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tbsp melted butter (less crunchy but similar golden-brown top)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat covered at 325°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through; add a splash of milk if the sauce has thickened.

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Top with fried onions just before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to bake time if baking from cold.

What type of green beans should I use?

Use fresh green beans trimmed and blanched for 3-4 minutes, or frozen cut green beans (thawed). Canned green beans tend to become mushy; drain well if using them.

Can I substitute the cream of mushroom soup?

Cream of chicken or cream of celery work as substitutes. Avoid cream of broccoli or asparagus as they conflict with the savory bacon-cheese profile.

How do I keep the fried onions crispy?

Reserve half the fried onions to stir into the casserole and sprinkle the remaining half on top just before baking. This ensures a crispy texture on top.