Ah, the classic side dish for holiday meals – Green Bean Casserole. It’s such a family favorite and so popular on the holiday table. But, can you make green bean casserole with cream of chicken soup?
Did you know that it is actually a very versatile recipe? You can turn this iconic dish into a different version just by changing out an ingredient or two such as the cream soup.
Classic Holiday Side Dish
The original green bean casserole was created by Dorcas Reilly for the Campbell Soup Company. Since then many have tried to recreate the classic recipe, make it healthier, or change it up entirely.
This easy side dish is so popular because it is one of the best casseroles and is the ultimate in comfort food. You don’t have to wait for the holidays, this simple side is perfect for any family dinner.
You can never go wrong with tender green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy topping.
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Can I make green bean casserole with cream of chicken soup?
Yes you can! Using cream of chicken soup will change the flavor a bit and add a bit of protein, but will essentially keep the integrity of the traditional side dish.
If you do choose to substitute cream of chicken soup I recommend that you add about a cup of chopped fresh mushrooms, unless you are trying to eliminate the mushrooms altogether.
What else can I use besides cream of mushroom soup in my green bean casserole?
You can definitely try other creamed soups such as condensed cream of chicken soup or cream of celery. I think cream of onion soup would also be very tasty in this traditional casserole.
If you prefer not to use canned soup, you can make your own homemade creamed soups. Here’s a few of my recipes:
My copycat version of Joanna Gaines Green Bean Casserole makes a homemade roux which is just as creamy but even tastier!
How do you keep green bean casserole from getting soupy or mushy?
The soup mixture should coat the beans like a nice thick sauce and should not be watery. You can avoid adding extra moisture to your dish by draining your beans well.
This is important as well for keeping the crispy fried onions on top of the casserole and prevent them from getting soggy.
If your sauce seems runny or soupy, you can add a thickener such as cornstarch or flour. A tablespoon or two should do.
If you prefer to skip the soup all together, use sour cream, chicken stock, and fresh mushrooms. This keeps the texture more crisp tender.
Best Green Beans
Let’s talk about the beans – I recommend using frozen green beans or fresh green beans that have been boiled or steamed until they are tender-crisp.
Just make sure to thoroughly drain your defrosted or boiled beans so that no extra water is added to the casserole. I do not recommend canned green beans because they are a bit mushy to begin with and have a lot of sodium.
Using fresh or frozen beans will also yield a somewhat healthier casserole. However, if you do use canned beans, I would use whole or cut beans, not french style.
How many cans of green beans equals 4 cups?
- 2 cans of green beans equals 4 cups
- 1½ pounds fresh green beans equals 4 cups
- 16 ounces frozen green beans equals 4 cups
What can I substitute for french fried onions in a green bean casserole?
Some good substitutes for those crispy fried onions are: crushed seasoned croutons, crushed potato chips, crushed Ritz crackers, or dried bread crumbs combined with melted butter.
A nice dusting of black pepper is always tasty too.
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Below you will find instructions for this classic Thanksgiving side dish. Now that you know how to change up this favorite recipe, have fun experimenting with this classic casserole dish!
Ingredients
- 2 (10.5 ounce cans) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken!)
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 (1 ounce) packet of Ranch seasoning
- 60 ounces frozen cut green beans
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 ounces bacon, cooked and chopped
- 6 ounces French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the soups, half & half, ranch seasoning, half the cheese, and half the bacon.
- Stir in the green beans.
- Spread the green bean mixture in the prepared baking dish.
- On top of the green beans, sprinkle remaining cheese, bacon, and fried onions.
- Top and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the topping is melted and golden brown.
- Remove and enjoy!
Best Casserole Tips
- Can you freeze green bean casserole?
- How to Reheat Green Bean Casserole
- Can you make it ahead of time?
For this and all your questions about this classic holiday dish, check out my Ultimate Guide to Green Bean Casserole!
More Delicious Recipes for Green Bean Casserole:
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