Green Bean Casserole Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe Campbell’s green bean casserole recipe crockpot is a comfort food dish that evokes warmth and nostalgia. This dish has been a holiday staple for decades, a family dinner mainstay, and a potluck contribution. Its creamy interior, savory flavor, and crispy topping qualify it as a style of crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style. This article will explore the history, ingredients, step-by-step recipe, variations, and tips to perfect this beloved dish. Whether you’re a master chef or a neophyte in the kitchen, this guide is here to help you serve the ultimate Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole.

A History of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
Campbell Green Bean Casserole was invented in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly, a Campbell Soup Company test kitchen home economist. The idea was to write a quick, simple recipe that would use pantry staples and be easily executed by home cooks. The result was a simple yet green bean casserole, a delicious mix of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crunchy fried onions. The dish has since become a Thanksgiving and Christmas staple for millions of American families.
The enduring appeal of the recipe is its simplicity and flexibility. It calls for only a few ingredients, most of them common pantry items, and can be adapted to fit various tastes and dietary restrictions. Today, Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole is a perennial classic that remains as relevant as ever and gets people gathering around the dinner table.
The Heart of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
- Simple to Make: This casserole is ideal for busy cooks, with only a few ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Crowd-pleaser: Its creamy, savory, crunchy components will please a lot of different palates.
- Adaptable: It can be easily modified to suit different ingredients or dietary restrictions.
- Nostalgic: The dish reminds you of holiday gatherings and warmth, which makes it a classic for holidays and family gatherings.
The Ingredients for Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
The classic recipe for Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole contains just five ingredients:
- Green Beans: Use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. Fresh green beans add a lovely crunch, while canned or frozen beans are convenient.
- Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the secret ingredient that makes the casserole its creamy, savory base.
- Milk contributes to density and creates the ultimate consistency for the sauce.
- Seasoning sauce: Add to deepen the umami flavor of the dish.
- French’s Crispy Fried Onions: These add a nice crunch and flavor to the topping.
How to Make Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole Step by Step
Here’s how to make the classic Campbell Green Bean Casserole in detail:
Ingredients:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) green beans, rinsed
- 1 1/3 cups French’s Crispy Fried Onions

Instructions:
1. Heat the Oven: Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, add the Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup, milk, and black pepper. Stir until well blended.
3. Incorporate the Green Beans: Stir the drained green beans into the dish so they’re mixed into the soup mixture.
4. Transfer to a Baking Dish: Transfer the mixture to a 1.5-quart casserole dish and spread evenly.
5. Bake: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Add the Topping: Take the casserole out of the oven and spread 2/3 cup of French’s Crispy Fried Onions on top in an even layer.
7. Bake Again: Put the dish back in the oven and bake another 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden and crispy.
8. Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with the remaining fried onions for added crunch.


How To Perfect Your Green Bean Casserole
- Use Fresh Green Beans: Use fresh green beans for a brighter flavor and a crisper texture. If using fresh, blanch them in boiling water for three to four minutes before adding them to the casserole.
- Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup—Or, if you want a homemade taste, make some cream of mushroom soup from scratch using fresh mushrooms, butter, flour, and milk.
- Cheesy Up: Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese with the soup mixture for a richer flavor.
- Spice It Up: Sprinkle some garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for added zing.
- Make It Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate. Bake it just before serving.
- Crispy Topping: Add the fried onions for the last 5 minutes of baking to keep them crispy.
Different Forms of Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
But while the tried-and-true version is a favorite, there are many ways to customize it to fit your taste or your dietary needs:
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole: Mix in 1 cup of shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan) .to the soup mixture for a gooey cheesy twist.
- Bacon Lovers’ Casserole: Cook 4 to 6 slices of bacon until crispy, crumble, then add to the casserole or use as a topping.
- For a gluten-free version: Substitute gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and gluten-free fried onions.
- Vegan Green Bean Casserole: Use a vegan cream of mushroom soup from the grocery store or make your own, use plant-based milk, and use vegan fried onions.
- Spicy Casserole: For some heat, stir in a splash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the soup mixture.
- Herbed Casserole: Fold in chopped fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc.) for a fragrant twist.

Why This Recipe Works
Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole is true beauty in its simplicity and delicate balance of flavors and textures. The creamy mushroom soup holds the green beans together, and the crispy fried onions give it a satisfying crunch. It is relatively simple to make and requires no specialized skills, making it awesome for beginner and pro chefs. It can be customized endlessly, so it never gets stale.
Find more Thanksgiving Recipes
Perfect Green Bean Casserole 15 min
This recipe for green bean casserole is a twist on the holiday classic. It’s healthy and delicious, made with fresh green beans and a homemade mushroom sauce. I like to finish it with crispy baked onions (see notes below!), but store-bought French fried onions are also good here.

INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
-
Preheat the Oven:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your casserole bakes evenly at the right temperature.
-
Prepare the Casserole Dish:
- Take a 3-quart (or similar sized) casserole dish and lightly grease it with cooking spray or butter. This will help prevent the casserole from sticking.
-
Mix the Casserole Base:
- In a large bowl, combine the green beans, Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup, and milk. Stir everything together to ensure it’s well mixed. Add black pepper to taste if desired.
- Once mixed, pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly with a spoon.
-
Bake the Casserole:
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake it, uncovered, for 25 minutes. This will heat the casserole through and allow the soup mixture to bubble and thicken.
-
Add Fried Onions:
- After 25 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Stir it to ensure it’s evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
-
Finish Baking:
- Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and crispy. This step gives the casserole a nice crunchy topping.
-
Serve:
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 3
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 145kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 4g20%
- Cholesterol 5mg2%
- Sodium 532mg23%
- Potassium 253mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 14g5%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 4g8%
- Vitamin A 539 IU
- Vitamin C 9 mg
- Calcium 55 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.