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Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Name: Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces fresh green beans (ends trimmed, cut in half); 1 Tablespoon coarse Kosher salt (for blanching water); ⅓ cup unsalted butter; 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion; 1-2 shallots (diced (~¼ cup)); 4 garlic cloves (minced or 4 teaspoons jarred minced garlic); ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 1¼ cups chicken broth; ¾ cup heavy cream; ¾ cup whole milk; 1½ teaspoons coarse Kosher salt (plus more to taste); 1 teaspoon oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ cup panko bread crumbs; 1 cup French-fried onions; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

This Fresh Green Bean Casserole is a from-scratch version of the classic holiday side dish — no canned soup needed. It’s made with crisp-tender fresh green beans, a creamy homemade sauce, and a golden topping of breadcrumbs, crispy fried onions, and Parmesan cheese. The result is rich, flavorful, and still simple enough to pull together while the rest of dinner cooks.

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Author:

Sara Nelson

Modified:

November 20, 2025

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 55

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A wooden spoon lifts a serving of creamy green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions from a white baking dish. The casserole appears baked and golden, with a portion already served.

You’ll love this recipe if you like this Sausage Stuffing Casserole and Twice Baked Potato Casserole.

Green bean casserole first became popular in the 1950s because it was quick and easy to make. This recipe keeps things simple but uses fresh ingredients for more flavor. You’ll blanch the green beans, make a quick sauce with butter, garlic, and shallots, and add a crunchy topping of crispy onions, panko, and cheese.

It’s a great make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, or Sunday dinner. The sauce stays creamy, the topping keeps its crunch, and leftovers reheat nicely the next day.

A wooden spoon scooping creamy fresh green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions from a white baking dish.

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Table of Contents

💛 Why you’ll love this recipe

Made completely from scratch — no canned soup needed.
Using fresh green beans in green bean casserole gives the dish a crisp texture and fresh flavor.
Easy to prep ahead for busy holidays.

➡️ Ingredients you’ll need

Flat lay of labeled ingredients for a green bean casserole, including green beans, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, chicken broth, heavy cream, whole milk, unsalted butter, onion, shallots, garlic, flour, oregano, salt, pepper, and fried onions.

⏲ How to make this fresh green bean casserole recipe

A white bowl filled with green beans and ice cubes sits on a white surface. Nearby are a salt shaker, a garlic bulb, a shallot, and an onion.

A metal pot contains a stick of butter, chopped onions, and chopped shallots. Nearby on the white surface are a whole shallot, a head of garlic, an onion, and salt and pepper shakers.

A stainless steel pot filled with sautéed chopped onions and garlic on a white countertop, with a shallot, a whole garlic bulb, an onion, and salt and pepper shakers nearby.

A stainless steel pan with sautéed onions and garlic, topped with a mound of flour. Surrounding the pan are a shallot, an onion, a garlic bulb, and salt and pepper shakers on a white surface.

A stainless steel pot with a bubbling yellow mixture, likely a sauce or soup, sits on a white surface. Nearby are a shallot, a garlic bulb, an onion, and salt and pepper shakers.

A pot of creamy white sauce with piles of black pepper, dried oregano, and garlic powder on top. Surrounding the pot are a shallot, a garlic head, an onion, and salt and pepper shakers on a white surface.

A pot filled with creamy white sauce sits on a white surface, surrounded by a red onion, a shallot, a garlic bulb, and salt and pepper shakers.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with fresh, cut green beans sits on a white surface, surrounded by a shallot, garlic, a salt shaker, a bowl of fried onions, and a bowl of breadcrumbs.

A white baking dish filled with fresh green beans topped with creamy sauce. Surrounding the dish are a shallot, a garlic bulb, a salt shaker, crispy fried onions, an onion, and a bowl of breadcrumbs.

A white baking dish filled with green bean casserole in a creamy sauce, surrounded by a bowl of breadcrumbs, an onion, a shallot, garlic, a salt shaker, and a bowl of crispy fried onions on a white surface.

A white baking dish filled with an unbaked green bean casserole topped with breadcrumbs sits on a white countertop, surrounded by a bowl of fried onions, an onion, a shallot, garlic, and a salt shaker.

A white baking dish filled with a casserole topped with crispy fried onions and shredded cheese, surrounded by a shallot, onion, garlic, salt shaker, a bowl of fried onions, and a small dish of grated cheese.

A white casserole dish filled with green bean casserole, topped with crispy fried onions and breadcrumbs, with a wooden serving spoon resting inside the dish.

👉 Easy ingredient swaps

Fresh Green Beans: Frozen or canned green beans can be used in a pinch — just thaw and drain well.
Chicken Broth: Vegetable or beef broth can be substituted.
Heavy Cream: Swap for half-and-half or all milk for a lighter version.
Panko Bread Crumbs: Regular bread crumbs or crushed crackers give a similar crunch.

✨ Variations

Add Fresh Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions for a flavor closer to the classic version.
Extra Crispy: Double the fried onions on top for more crunch.
Cheesy Sauce: Mix in shredded Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella to make the sauce richer.

〰️ How to serve

Main Dishes — Serve it alongside roast turkey, ham, or prime rib.
Everyday Dinners — It pairs perfectly with baked chicken, pork chops, or meatloaf.
Other Sides — Round out the meal with mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, or cranberry sauce.

💬 FAQs

Can I make this casserole in advance?

Yes. Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes and add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time.

How long will leftovers keep?

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in portions.

Can this casserole be frozen?

Yes, after baking. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake covered at 350°F until hot.

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My name is Sara Nelson, and I am the face behind Real Balanced. I am a Mom to two and a proud Wisconsinite. Here, you will find easy and delicious tried-and-true recipes that can often be made in minimal time.