Description
Best Southern Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving recipe. Creamy, savory, and topped with crispy onions. A must-have for your holiday table!
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans cut green beans, thoroughly drained
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, full-fat preferred
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more, to taste)
- Crispy Topping:
- 1 (6 ounce) can crispy fried onions, divided
- Optional Extras:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for an extra cheesy twist)
- A pinch of smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prep Your Beans:: First things first, drain those green beans really well. Like, press out the extra water. I usually dump them into a colander and give them a good shake, maybe even a gentle press with a paper towel. This is where I always remind myself not to be lazy, because soggy casserole is just… sad. You want that creamy sauce to cling, not swim! It’s all about setting the stage for the Best Southern Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving.
- Whip Up the Creamy Base:: In a big bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir it until it’s smooth and lovely. Don’t worry if it seems a little thick; the beans will release a tiny bit of moisture. I once added too much milk, thinking it needed to be thinner, and ended up with a runny casserole. Learn from my oops moment: stick to the measurements, Mama Tessa knows best!
- Combine and Stir:: Gently fold in the drained green beans into your creamy soup mixture. Make sure every bean gets coated in that luscious sauce. This step always smells so comforting to me, like the holidays are truly here. I sometimes taste a little bit of the sauce here, just to make sure the seasoning is right – a little extra pepper never hurt anyone, right?
- Into the Baking Dish:: Pour the green bean mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. I usually butter my dish a bit first, just to prevent sticking and add a little extra flavor. Spread it out evenly. This is where I start picturing it on the Thanksgiving table, all golden and bubbly. It’s starting to look like the Best Southern Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving!
- Initial Bake:: Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be hot and bubbly around the edges. This step lets the flavors meld and the sauce thicken up beautifully. Don’t be tempted to add the crispy onions yet; we want them golden, not burnt! I’ve had a few close calls with premature onion additions, believe me.
- The Grand Finale:: Take the casserole out of the oven, sprinkle those glorious fried onions all over the top, and pop it back in for another 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they can go from perfectly golden to charred in a flash! The smell of those toasty onions is just heavenly. When it comes out, it should be bubbling, golden brown, and those onions should be perfectly crisp. That’s your Best Southern Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving, ready to shine!