Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe Without Mushroom Soup

If you’re looking for a dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, this cheesy green bean casserole is the answer. It’s easy, quick, and delicious without cream of mushroom soup! This is a recipe that can work really well at any family dinner or holiday meal. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, or just a cozy weeknight meal, this easy casserole recipe can win hearts.

Casseroles are comfort food and this one is my favorite next to my cheesy mashed potatoes sides. This one is a cheesy comfort food for all the cheese lovers out there. Kids love it, adults love it, it’s a crowd pleaser. Made with tender green beans tossed in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crispy fried onions that add the perfect crunch, this is a must try recipe. 

This isn’t just any side, it’s the best green bean casserole for family gatherings and holiday feasts. Whether served alongside turkey, roasted whole chicken, or ham, it’s a timeless favorite that adds a touch of cozy, homemade goodness to every bite. If you’ve tried my Chicken and Dumpling Casserole, you know I love simple recipes that deliver big flavor. This easy casserole recipe is also full of flavor, hearty, crowd-pleasing, and made from scratch with simple ingredients.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CHEESY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Easy to Make – This green bean casserole recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep. You don’t need to prepare any marinades, sauces, or cook for hours. With little ingredients and effort, this dish is ready in under an hour.

Flavor and Texture – Monterey Jack and Colby Jack melt into the sauce, creating a luxuriously creamy texture that coats every bean. The aromatics in the dish, onion, garlic, oregano, are appetizing.

Family Favorite – This easy casserole recipe is loved by kids and adults alike. Whenever I make it, there are no leftovers. I tried it for family gatherings around Christmas and my guests were asking for more. 

Better Than the Classic – Unlike the old fashioned green bean casserole that relies on condensed soup, this version is made from chicken broth. Trust me, this one is better! It’s rich, silky, and bursting with cheesy flavor.

Customizable – This cheesy green bean casserole recipe is full of flavor, hearty, and a complete meal on its own. But the best thing about it is that there’s plenty of room for variations. You can sneak in extra veggies, some pasta, some leftover Oven Roasted Chicken, and it will still taste great.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Fresh Green Beans – Trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces. Use fresh for the best texture, but you can substitute with frozen green beans (just thaw and pat dry).
• Butter – Use unsalted butter. It adds richness and helps build the creamy base for the perfect cheesy green bean casserole recipe. You can use olive oil for a lighter version, or dairy free butter.
• Onion & Garlic – For aroma and bold flavors, add finely chopped onion and minced fresh garlic.  You can use shallots and chives if you prefer something milder.
• All-Purpose Flour – It thickens the sauce naturally. Any gluten-free flour works fine too.
• Whole Milk – Milk gives the sauce a creamy, smooth texture. Dairy or non dairy milk will work fine here. 
• Chicken Broth – Use low-sodium broth. You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
• Worcestershire Sauce – It enhances the umami flavor. You can substitute it with soy sauce. 
• Oregano, Salt, and Black Pepper – Seasonings balance the flavors and give a light herby note.
• Monterey Jack & Colby Jack Cheese – These two are the secret behind that luscious melt. Cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese can work too .
• Crispy French Fried Onions – Divide them in two portions. They make the top crispy and crunchy.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for cheesy green bean casserole recipe

This cheesy green bean casserole is a true crowd-pleaser and the ultimate classic holiday side dish. With its rich, creamy base and bubbly, golden brown cheesy topping, it brings comfort and flavor to any Thanksgiving table. Lets see how to make this casserole with the below steps!

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and transfer immediately to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the fresh garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk, broth, worcestershire sauce, and oregano, salt and pepper cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth. Stir in the ½ cup of crispy fried onions.

Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. 

 Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup crispy french-fried onions over the top and return to the oven until lightly browned.

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy it hot as a cheesy, crowd-pleasing side dish!

Hint: For extra flavor and a creamier texture, mix some of the shredded cheese directly into the green bean mixture before baking, then sprinkle the rest on top for that perfect golden brown finish.

Variations for this easy classic green bean casserole

• Mushroom Cheesy Green Bean Casserole – Add sautéed mushrooms when adding green beans to the cheese sauce for extra depth and an earthy flavor that complements the creamy base. Follow the rest of the steps as I’ve mentioned above in the instructions.
• Bacon Lover’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe – Stir in some crispy bacon when you add the green beans to the sauce. Sprinkle some on top instead of onions before baking for a crunchy bacon twist.
• Spicy Cheesy Green Bean Casserole – Mix a dash of hot sauce, chopped Jalapenos, or cayenne pepper into the sauce if you like a little heat. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
• Slow cooker cheesy green bean casserole -  Tender green beans are combined with a rich, cheesy sauce made from cream of mushroom soup, melted cheddar cheese, and a touch of seasoning, then cooked low and slow until perfectly creamy and flavorful. Using the slow cooker frees up valuable oven space during Thanksgiving or Christmas, making it ideal for busy holiday meals. 

Equipment

• Casserole dish or 9X13 baking dish
• Large skillet
• Saucepan
• Mixing bowls

Serving suggestions for easy cheesy green bean casserole

Roasted Veggies: If you love roasted veggies and want some extra flavor, go ahead and serve some. This easy casserole recipe can pair well with Crispy Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Carrots and Asparagus. 

Salads: Casseroles pair well with salads. They add crunch and freshness. You should try my Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad or Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad. 

Sweet Potatoes: If you want to add something to make this casserole extra comforting, try serving it with my Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges, or cheesy mashed potatoes.

Soups: On a cold night, serve this easy casserole recipe with a hot bowl of soup. You can try my Spicy Vegetable Soup for some spicy kick. Or you can try cream of chicken soup.

Storage and reheating tips

Room Temperature: It’s best if you leave the cheesy green bean casserole at room temp not more than two hours. 

Refrigerator: You can save the leftovers in the fridge. Put the casserole in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.

Freezer: Yup, that’s right! You can make this easy casserole recipe ahead (maybe for Thanksgiving) and freeze. Make portions and store in freezer safe ziplock bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. (They won’t be as crisp as fresh, but they won;t be mushy either). So its the BEST make-ahead green bean casserole ever!

Reheating: When reheating the refrigerated cheesy green bean casserole, Preheat the oven at 350°F and bake for 10–15 minutes. Or microwave single servings in 30-second bursts until hot.

FAQ

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this fresh green bean casserole recipe:

If you tried this Cheesy Green Beans Casserole recipe or any other recipe from my blog, I’d love to hear your thoughts! ⭐ Please leave a STAR rating and share your experience in the COMMENTS below. Your support means so much and helps me continue creating delicious recipes. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe Without Mushroom Soup

Abi Guna

This cheesy green bean casserole is a creamy, flavorful twist on a classic holiday side dish. Made without mushroom soup and topped with melted cheese and crispy onions, it’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 peoples

Calories 271 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large Skillet
• Baking Dish
• Saucepan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1.5 lb fresh green beans trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• ½ cup grated colby jack cheese
• 1 cup crispy fried onions divided

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk, broth, worcestershire sauce, and oregano, salt and pepper cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth. Stir in the ½ cup of crispy fried onions.
• Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup crispy fried onions over the top and return to the oven until lightly browned.
• Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy it hot as a cheesy, crowd-pleasing side dish!

Notes

• Blanch your green beans just until tender-crisp because overcooked beans will turn mushy in the bake.
• Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest melt. Store bought shredded cheese has anticaking agents that interfere with texture.
• Don’t skip the crispy onions, they add that crispy texture that we love.
• If your sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of milk before adding the green beans.
• Let the casserole rest before serving, it thickens as it cools slightly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 15.9gProtein: 10.8gFat: 18.8gFiber: 3.5g

Keyword green beans, holiday recipes, side dish, Thanksgiving recipes

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