Description
Green bean casserole by Paula Deen combines crispy bacon, creamy mushroom sauce, and crunchy onion topping for a comforting Southern-style side dish. Home cooks can easily recreate this classic holiday favorite with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups green beans (sliced)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- ½ cup mushrooms (fresh, sliced)
- ½ cup onions (diced)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 10 ¾ oz (305 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 2.8 oz (79 g) French-fried onion rings
- ⅓ stick (37.5 g) butter
- 1 pinch Paula Deen’s house seasoning
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack positioned in the middle for uniform heat distribution.
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, gently cooking onions and mushrooms until they become translucent and soft, releasing their natural moisture.
- Vegetable Preparation: Blanch green beans in simmering chicken broth until tender-crisp, then drain thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the casserole.
- Mixing Components: Combine green beans, sautéed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and House Seasoning in a large mixing bowl, folding in half of the French-fried onion rings to maintain their crispy texture.
- Initial Baking: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly, and bake for 20 minutes to meld flavors and heat through completely.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the casserole and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and develops a light golden crust.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with remaining French-fried onion rings just before serving to maximize crispiness and add visual appeal.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain green beans to prevent a soggy, watery casserole that could ruin the dish’s texture.
- Onion Ring Strategy: Add half the crispy onion rings during mixing and reserve the rest for a crunchy topping to maintain maximum crispiness.
- Temperature Precision: Use middle oven rack and strictly follow 350°F to ensure even cooking and prevent burning or uneven heating.
- Seasoning Balance: Gently mix ingredients to distribute House Seasoning evenly, creating a consistent flavor profile throughout the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg