Cheesy Bacon and Green Bean Casserole is creamy, crunchy, and so delicious! Always a huge hit at Thanksgiving celebrations, parties, and pot lucks! If you’ve been looking for a new green bean casserole recipe, this is it!

Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

When it comes to iconic Thanksgiving side dishes, green bean casserole is right up there with stuffing, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce! And personally, it’s the dish I look forward to ALL year long!

Usually I make my famous gourmet green bean casserole. But this year I decided to ditch the fancy cheeses in favor of classic comfort food flavors. And does it get anymore comforting than BACON AND CHEESE? I think not!

Say hello to my new favorite green bean casserole! It’s loaded with a creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and French fried onions.

Let’s Talk Cheese Sauce…

My cheese sauce is made from scratch, and features sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and parmesan cheese. And let me tell you, they make a delicious trio! I also add a dash of cayenne pepper, which breaks up the richness and adds the slightest kick! I didn’t find it spicy at all! So you could definitely increase it if you’re looking for more spice. I also add garlic, onion, brown sugar, chicken broth, milk, and a dash of heavy cream.

Oh! And bacon, of course! 1 pound! You’ll need to fry until crispy, drain on paper towels, and then chop into rough pieces. I add most of the bacon into the cheese sauce, but save about 1/2 cup on the side to top. Not only does this look attractive, it’s also a clear indicator there’s meat in the dish… which can be a nice touch if you’re hosting vegans or vegetarians.

Can I use Frozen Green Beans?

Yes, you can. Be sure to thaw them first and pat them dry as they’ll have a lot of excess water in them. But to be brutally honest, fresh green beans taste WAY better! So if can find them, use them! They hold up in the oven, so their color remains a gorgeous green and their texture has the slightest snap. While frozen green beans tend to be slightly mushier. Like canned green beans! Either way, the cheese sauce, bacon, and fried onions will make the dish delicious! I just want you to have all the facts!

How to make Green Bean Casserole in 3 Steps:

1. Cook your Green Beans: If you’re using fresh green beans, you’ll need to blanch them first. This sounds scarier than it is! You’ll simply bring a large pot of water to boil, toss in your green beans, and cook them for 4 minutes! Then plunge them into an ice bath. Which is just a large bowl filled with equal parts water and ice. This helps stop the cooking process!
2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt your butter. Add in the onion and cook until soft. Add in the garlic and cook for a minute, then toss in the flour. Add in the milk and broth, a little bit at a time, then finally stir in the cheeses, bacon, and cream. The real trick here is to stir almost CONSTANTLY.
3. Assemble and Bake: This green bean casserole will bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, so be sure to have your oven preheated!!! Add your green beans to the casserole dish, then pour the creamy cheese sauce and 1/2 of the fried onion on top. Mix well! Then bake for 25 minutes. Add the remaining onions and bacon, and bake for another 5 minutes! Serve warm!

I don’t know about you, but all of this green bean casserole talk has me counting down the minutes until November 26 th!!! Thankfully, that’s just a few more days away!

What dish are you looking forward to most on Thanksgiving?! Let me know in the comments below!

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

• Crispy Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Toasted Marshmallow Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
• White Cheddar, Bacon, and Apple Biscuits
• The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Cheesy Bacon and Green Bean Casserole

Ashley Manila

Cheesy Bacon and Green Bean Casserole is creamy, crunchy, and so delicious! Always a huge hit at Thanksgiving celebrations, parties, and pot lucks! If you've been looking for a new green bean casserole recipe, this is it!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 10 servings

Ingredients

 

• 2 and 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 1 pound bacon, fried and chopped
• 4 and 1/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup chicken bone broth
• 3 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 ounces Monterey jack cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup parmesan, finely grated
• 2 cups French fried onions

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside. 
• Trim the rough ends of the green beans and cut them in half, if desired. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Blanch the green beans by dropping them into the boiling water and allowing them to par-cook for 4 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove them from the boiling water and immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain the green beans once they're cool, then pat them dry. Place them in the prepared baking dish and set aside. 
• In a large skillet over medium-heat, cook the bacon until crispy on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and place on a paper towel lined plate. Blot any excess oil with a paper towel, then chop into small bits. Set aside. 
• Drain skillet of any excess bacon grease, then place back over medium-heat. Add the butter and swirl to melt. Add in the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened and nearly translucent. Add in the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Sprinkle in the flour, and stirring constantly, cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk and then the broth, stirring constantly as you add. 
• Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. 
• Remove the pan from heat. Immediately stir in the heavy cream, then add the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and parmesan. Fold in half of the chopped bacon and half of the French fried onions. 
• Pour sauce over green beans and stir gently to combine. Bake for 25 minutes. Then top with remaining bacon and onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm! 

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