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    Home » Holiday Recipes

    Published: Nov 1, 2016 · Modified: Dec 13, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole

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    Green bean casserole. It's one of my absolute favorite holiday side dishes that I just can't get enough of. I love it so much that I actually make it all year long, no matter the time of year.

    And I definitely passed on my love of the Thanksgiving favorite to my kiddo. So much so that he asked for me to make it on his birthday! What 10 year old asks for green beans for their birthday dinner? Only mine.

    The thing is, I haven't always had this love. 

     

     

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    In fact, as a kid, I hated green bean casserole, and it's kind of a strange series of events that got me to this love now.

    Basically, my mom would make a huge pan of her special "Green Bean Supreme" for the holidays. It wasn't your classic recipe that everyone makes with a can of cream of chicken soup or whatever. It was slightly different.

    Although I wouldn't know it because I had never had the classic recipe before. 

    All I knew was that I hated my mom's green bean recipe so I must hate all green bean casseroles. Blegh. Pile my plate high with mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, and jello salad. But no green beans for me!

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    About 10 years ago, I was invited to a friend's Thanksgiving dinner and they served green bean casserole. The classic recipe that everyone makes and loves. I didn't want to seem rude, so I put a little bit on my plate.

    What do you know, I absolutely loved it! I gobbled it all up and had to have more. Where had this been all my life?!

    I remember telling my mom about my new love for green bean casserole, and she said, "Yeah, but do you remember how good MY casserole was?"

    Nope!

    No way. 

    No how.

    Yet somehow she convinced me to try it out again now that I was an adult with more grown-up tastebuds.

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    And try it I did!

    How did I not like Mom's Green Bean Supreme? It was laden with super stringy Swiss cheese that just added a whole new level of flavor to an already delicious dish.

    PLUS there is no cream of anything soup, which is a major point in my recipe book.

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    This holiday season, you can enjoy your classic Green Bean Casserole like you do every year. Or you can take Thanksgiving to the next level with my MOM's Green Bean Casserole.

    Besides, the classic recipe won't give you that perfect melty cheese shot you know you're trying to get for your Instagram and Snapchat feed during the big feast... Just sayin'.

    [Tweet "A classic Thanksgiving side totally kicked up a notch... with CHEESE!"]

    And be sure to round out your Thanksgiving meal with a couple more classics:

    Homemade Caramel Apple Pie - The absolute best apple pie I've ever eaten and really so simple to make! www.happyfoodhealthylife.com

    This Caramel Apple Pie is the one I make every single year. Not only because I love it, but because my family can't imagine a Thanksgiving without it. This is the pie my dad said was better than any Sara Lee he's ever tasted!

    Healthy Herb & Garlic Mashed Cauliflower - A healthy alternative to mashed potatoes that will please everyone! Full of flavor. Healthy. And no one will even know the difference. Really!

    My Garlic and Herb Mashed Cauliflower will probably fool just about everyone at the table. They'll think they're eating mashed potatoes. No joke. They taste just as good as your favorite mashed potatoes, but are light, fluffy, and guilt-free!

    Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail. When your dessert and cocktail is all in one glass, there's really no going wrong. www.happyfoodhealthylife.com

    Want your apple pie in cocktail form? These Caramel Apple Pie Cocktails are the way to go! 

    Thanksgiving Leftover Veggie Burger - Want a new and inventive way to make a veggie burger using your leftovers from Thanksgiving? Check this out!

    Thanksgiving leftovers are the best and it's no different for vegetarians! This Thanksgiving Leftover Veggie Burger has all the fixin's from your meal the day before, but takes a veggie twist. And you can top it with this amazing green bean casserole too!

    Or wait! Maybe you're looking for something a little healthier like my Vegan Green Bean Casserole. My family is in LOVE with this plant-based version of a holiday staple and can't even tell it's healthy!

    VEGAN GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE | HEALTHY | DAIRY-FREE | THANKSGIVING | VEGAN SIDE DISH | VEGETABLE | VEGETARIAN | PLANT-BASED

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    Mom’s Green Bean Casserole

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    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 151kcal
    Author: Holly

    Ingredients

    • ½ small yellow onion , diced
    • 2 Tablespoons butter (vegan)
    • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
    • ½ cup vegan sour cream
    • 2 cans green beans
    • 1 cup non-dairy swiss or mozzarella cheese
    • ½ cup fried onions

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven for 400 degrees F.
    • In a skillet, cook onion in butter slightly, for just about a minute.
    • Whisk in the flour and salt. Add milk gradually and cook until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and beans.
    • Spread ⅓ of bean mixture in 1-quart casserole. Sprinkle ½ of the swiss cheese over the beans. Repeat layers, ending with the beans. Top with fried onions.
    • Bake for 20 minutes.

    Notes

    If you need to make more, this recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled and made in a 9x13 pan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 415mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @HappyFoodHolly or tag #HappyFoodHealthyLife!

    If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture, upload it to Instagram and tag me (@happyfoodholly) and use the hashtag #inspiredbyholly

    Mom's Green Bean Casserole | THANKSGIVING | SIDE DISH | Classic green bean casserole with a little something special to kick it up a notch. (spoiler alert - it's CHEESE!)

    « Vegan Pumpkin Pie
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin says

      December 21, 2018 at 10:11 am

      I have made this many times and everyone always loves it. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        January 07, 2019 at 6:42 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that! It's always a hit!

        Reply
    2. Natasha says

      November 23, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      Can this made the night before?

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        November 23, 2016 at 8:09 pm

        Yes, you can assemble the whole thing overnight and just bake when it's time. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Alyson says

      November 23, 2016 at 7:03 pm

      Should the green beans be drained?

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        November 23, 2016 at 8:09 pm

        Yes drain the beans. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Nadine says

      November 23, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Can you prep this the night before?

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        November 23, 2016 at 8:08 pm

        Yes, you can prep the night before and just put it in the oven when it's time to cook.

        Reply
    5. Linda Hall says

      November 18, 2016 at 5:25 am

      I haven't made this yet. But I'm going to try it this thanksgiving. I've got a huge group coming (my kids and grandkids) so I'll be making 2 pans. And sense I've got the ingredients for the other one I'll conduct a little experiment. Yours or the other? I totally agree yours has to be!!! Like you, as a kid I hated green beans with a passion. Still don't like them unless it's the casserole. But, this recipe sounds way to good to pass up!!
      Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        November 18, 2016 at 6:33 am

        Oh I cannot wait to hear which recipe wins!! (I sure hope it's mine!) Just note that this recipe makes 3 cups, so if you're looking to make a 9x13 pan, you may want to at least double the recipe.
        Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and please report back with the results 🙂

        Reply
    6. Alyssa says

      November 14, 2016 at 10:15 pm

      How big of a serving does this recipe make?

      Reply
      • Holly Waterfall says

        November 18, 2016 at 6:30 am

        This makes about 3 cups of green beans, so maybe 4-6 servings. You can easily double or even triple it in a 9x13 pan if you need to. I hope you try it out!

        Reply

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