This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a rich and flavorful twist on the classic holiday favorite. Featuring tender green beans coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with crispy bacon and crunchy fried onions, this casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any comforting family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A creamy, cheesy upgrade to the traditional green bean casserole
- Crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory flavor
- Easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings or potlucks
- Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
- Can be made ahead of time for easy prep
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Fresh or frozen green beans, trimmed (or canned if preferred)
- Cream cheese, softened
- Cooked bacon, crumbled
- Heavy cream or milk
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Onion, finely diced
- Butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- French fried onions (for topping)
- Optional: Parmesan cheese, for extra cheesy flavor
Directions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Cook the green beans: Boil fresh or frozen green beans in salted water until just tender (about 5 minutes), then drain and set aside. Skip this step if using canned beans.
- Prepare the sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Add cheese and bacon: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and half of the crumbled bacon until melted and combined.
- Combine: Add the cooked green beans to the sauce and toss until well-coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle with remaining bacon and French fried onions. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Green Bean Casserole: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a kick.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms for a meaty texture.
- Extra Cheesy: Mix in mozzarella or pepper jack cheese for extra cheesy goodness.
- Low-Carb Option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and skip the fried onions.
Storage/Reheating
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions until heated through.
- Freeze: Freeze the casserole (without the topping) for up to 2 months. Add the bacon and fried onions after thawing and before baking.
FAQs
Can I use canned green beans for this recipe?
Yes, just drain and rinse them well before adding to the sauce.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole (without the topping), cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add bacon and fried onions right before baking.
What’s the best cheese for this recipe?
Cheddar cheese adds a sharp, creamy flavor, but you can also use mozzarella or a cheese blend.
How do I keep the casserole from being too watery?
Drain the green beans thoroughly, especially if using canned or frozen ones, and allow excess moisture to cook off while preparing the sauce.
Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Yes, turkey bacon is a great leaner alternative that still adds a smoky flavor.
How do I make the casserole extra creamy?
Add a bit more cream cheese or stir in some sour cream for an extra creamy texture.
Can I use a dairy-free cream cheese?
Yes, dairy-free cream cheese works well—just be sure to use a non-dairy milk substitute too.
What sides pair well with green bean casserole?
It’s great with mashed potatoes, roasted turkey, baked ham, or dinner rolls.
How do I prevent the topping from burning?
Cover the casserole with foil during the first half of baking, then uncover to crisp the topping in the last 10 minutes.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free fried onions and check all labels to ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free.
Conclusion
This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and indulgent twist on a holiday classic. Perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners, it’s packed with rich flavors, crispy bacon, and a crunchy topping that everyone will love. Serve it alongside your favorite mains, and watch this side dish become the star of the table!
PrintCream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a rich, creamy twist on the classic holiday favorite. Tender green beans are coated in a luscious cream cheese sauce, mixed with crispy bacon, and topped with melted cheese and crunchy fried onions. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy family dinner!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 900 g (2 lbs) fresh green beans, trimmed and halved (or use frozen, thawed)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or whole milk
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (100 g) crispy fried onions (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven:
- Set the oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a large baking dish.
2. Prepare the green beans:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside. (Skip this step if using frozen, thawed green beans.)
3. Cook the bacon and aromatics:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, then crumble.
- In the same pan, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in the bacon grease until softened (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Make the cream cheese sauce:
- Reduce heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, stirring until melted.
- Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
- Add Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
5. Assemble the casserole:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the green beans, crumbled bacon (reserve some for topping), and cream cheese sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- In the last 5 minutes, sprinkle crispy fried onions and the remaining bacon on top, and bake until golden brown.
7. Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- Add sliced mushrooms to the onion mixture for extra depth of flavor.
- Use turkey bacon for a lighter version.
- You can make this dish ahead of time—just assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve.