This mouthwatering Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese is a hassle-free holiday recipe that will wow your family and friends! Filled with green beans, mushrooms, French-fried onions, and deliciously melty cheddar cheese.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
With all the holiday preparations on our plates, it’s crucial to find recipes that save time without compromising on flavor. This crockpot green bean casserole with cheese is the answer you’ve been looking for, and it’s become a staple at my holiday gatherings.
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
I used to go the extra mile by making Martha Stewart’s Green Bean Casserole from scratch, painstakingly preparing the cream of mushroom sauce with a roux that would have my arm stirring for an hour. However, after discovering this Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese, I realized that you don’t need to work that hard in the kitchen for these easy casseroles. Just five minutes of prep is all it takes to create this classic green bean casserole that’s equally, if not more, delicious.
Holiday Classic Casserole
This Crockpot green bean casserole is a must-make for the holidays because no festive gathering is complete without a heaping spoonful of cozy nostalgia – it’s the heartwarming taste of tradition!
- Effortless Prep: Just five minutes of preparation for a delicious classic green bean casserole without the hard work.
- Creamy, Satisfying Sauce: A luscious blend of canned mushroom soup, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese upgrades this dish to make it even better.
- Crunchy Onion Delight: French fried onions are a must for this dish that adds the perfect crunch and savory burst of flavor.
- Simple Recipe Anyone Can Make: This recipe is so easy to make that anyone can create this classic and add it to their holiday menu.
If you are looking for more holiday classics cooked easy in the Crockpot try my Herb Roasted Turkey Breast, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows, Corn Casserole, and more delicious recipes.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
This Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese has become a beloved holiday favorite for a multitude of reasons. It embodies the comforting nostalgia of traditional holiday dishes, invoking warm memories of gatherings with loved ones. Its ease of preparation in the crockpot is a game-changer during the busy holiday season, allowing you to focus on creating precious moments with family and friends instead of being tied to the stove.
The combination of rich, creamy mushroom sauce, the sharpness of cheddar cheese, and the crispy French fried onions impart an irresistibly indulgent flavor that pairs beautifully with festive feasts. Moreover, the vibrant green beans offer a touch of freshness, providing a satisfying balance to the heavier dishes often found on holiday tables.
The simplicity of this recipe, along with its delicious results, has earned it a special place on our holiday menus, ensuring that every celebration is both joyful and delectably satisfying.
If you’re in the market for a new crockpot to make this dish, I highly recommend the Crockpot Cook and Carry for its reliability and versatility. The best part is you can carry it right in the Crockpot to the party!
Ingredients to Make the Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
- Canned Green beans: Green beans provide a nutritious and vibrant vegetable base for the casserole. They add a lovely green color and a slightly crisp texture to contrast with the creamy sauce.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup serves as the heart of the casserole, providing a rich and savory flavor with a smooth, creamy texture. It’s a classic component of green bean casserole, adding depth and moisture to the dish.
- French fried onions: French fried onions are the crispy and crunchy crown of the casserole. They not only provide a delightful texture contrast but also bring a savory, oniony flavor to the dish, making it visually and gastronomically appealing.
- Sour cream: Sour cream contributes a tangy and creamy element that enhances the overall richness of the casserole. It provides a subtle zing that complements the earthy mushrooms and cheddar cheese.
- Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese brings a delightful cheesiness to the casserole, creating a comforting and gooey topping when it melts. Its sharp flavor pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients and adds that beloved cheesy touch.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder infuses the casserole with a mild garlic flavor, elevating the overall taste without the need for chopping or sautéing garlic cloves. It enhances the savory profile and complements the other seasonings.
- Salt and Pepper: Salt is a fundamental seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, ensuring a well-balanced taste. It helps to intensify the dish’s overall deliciousness.
How To Make Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
Step 1: Begin by preparing your crockpot. Ensure it’s clean and well-greased to prevent sticking or use a crockpot liner.
Step 2: Add all the ingredients except the green beans and half of the French-fried onions into the crockpot. This includes the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt.
Step 3: Stir the ingredients thoroughly in the crockpot until they are well combined. This will create a creamy and flavorful sauce base for the casserole.
Step 4: Pour the green beans into the crockpot.
Step 5: Sprinkle half of the French-fried onions on top of the mixture. Stir the green beans and onions into the cream sauce until covered.
Step 6: Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. The casserole should be heated through and bubbly.
Step 6: Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. The casserole should be heated through and bubbly.
Step 7: 10-15 minutes before serving brown the french fried onions on the stovetop in a pan for about 3 minutes until brown and crispy.
Step 8: Before serving, carefully remove the lid and add the remaining French fried onions on top of the casserole. This step adds a golden, crispy finish to the dish.
Step 9: Serve right out of the Crockpot!
Enjoy this delectable holiday favorite that’s not only easy to make but also bursting with comforting flavors and textures!
Can You Double This Recipe?
Yes, you can certainly double this Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese recipe to make a larger batch. To do so, simply double the quantities of each ingredient listed in the original recipe, and use a larger or second crockpot if necessary to accommodate the increased volume of the casserole. This way, you can easily feed a larger group of guests or have delicious leftovers for later.
Can You Use Frozen Green Beans?
Yes, you can use frozen green beans in this recipe. However, when using frozen green beans, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as they might release some additional moisture as they thaw. It’s a good idea to thaw the frozen green beans in advance, drain any excess moisture, and then proceed with the recipe as usual. This adjustment will help ensure that the casserole doesn’t become too watery during the cooking process.
Can green bean casserole be made ahead and reheated?
Yes, you can make Green Bean Casserole ahead of time and reheat it. It’s a convenient option, especially during busy holiday preparations or when you want to save time on the day of your event. Prepare everything except 1/2 the crispy french-fried onions and cover in the refrigerator. Add an extra 30 minutes of cooking time.
tips &
- Thaw Frozen Green Beans: If using frozen green beans, be sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the recipe. This will prevent excess moisture and ensure the casserole isn’t too runny.
- Adjust Crockpot Size: Ensure your crockpot is the right size for the doubled recipe. A larger crockpot or two separate crockpots may be needed to accommodate the larger batch.
- Grease the Crockpot: To prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, grease the inside of your crockpot before adding the ingredients. Or use crockpot liners for easy cleanup.
- Be Mindful of Cooking Time: A doubled recipe may require slightly longer cooking time, so check for doneness periodically. Green beans should be tender, and the mixture should be bubbling.
- Stir Occasionally: If you have a larger or deeper crockpot, stir the casserole gently once or twice during cooking to ensure uniform heating and flavor distribution.
- Crispy Onions Before Serving: To retain the crispy texture of the French fried onions, you can crisp the onions up by adding them to a pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
- Keep Warm Setting: If your crockpot has a “Keep Warm” setting, use it when the casserole is ready to serve. It will keep your dish at a pleasant serving temperature.
- Double-Check Doneness: To ensure the casserole is thoroughly cooked, check that the green beans are tender and the sauce is bubbling. Cooking times may vary depending on your crockpot.
Variations on Green Bean Casserole in the Crockpot
Mix up this classic dish with a few different options!
- Classic Green Bean Casserole: Leave out the cheese and sour cream for the classic version of this dish.
- Bacon and Mushroom Twist: A savory upgrade featuring bacon bits and sautéed mushrooms, adding rich flavors to the classic recipe.
- Spicy It Up: Add chopped jalapenos for a version!
- Vegan-Friendly Green Bean Casserole: A plant-based version with vegan cream of mushroom soup, dairy-free sour cream, and crispy fried onions, perfect for vegans and vegetarians.
Oven Instructions for Green Bean Casserole
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the green bean mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish or a dish of similar size. Make sure it’s evenly spread in the dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and begins to bubble around the edges.
- Add Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and French fried onions evenly on top.
- Return to Oven: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted, and the French fried onions are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Once the casserole is cooked to your desired level of browning and the cheese is melted, remove it from the oven. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
This oven-baked version of the green bean casserole will have a slightly different texture and flavor compared to the crockpot version, but it’s equally delicious and perfect for serving at family gatherings or holiday feasts. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
After savoring the delightful Green Bean Casserole with Cheese, it’s important to store any leftovers properly to maintain their freshness. First, allow the casserole to cool to room temperature. Once it has reached a comfortable temperature, cover the casserole dish with an airtight lid or tightly wrap it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking to ensure food safety. It’s best to store them in the refrigerator for a duration of 3-4 days. This way, you can easily enjoy a warm, comforting serving of this holiday classic on the following days without any compromise in quality.
When you’re ready to enjoy the Green Bean Casserole with Cheese from the refrigerator, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). If needed, transfer the casserole portion to an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil and reheat it for about 20-30 minutes, or until it’s heated through. During the last 5-10 minutes of reheating, remove the foil to allow the fried onions on top to crisp up, ensuring that each bite remains as delightful as the first serving.
How to Freeze Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Sometimes, you may want to store the Green Bean Casserole with Cheese for an extended period. Freezing is a fantastic option for preserving the casserole. Begin by letting the casserole cool completely. It’s advisable to divide it into portions for easier serving later on. Transfer these portions to airtight, freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, ensuring there’s minimal air inside to prevent freezer burn. To help you keep track of freshness, label the containers with the date of freezing. You can safely store the casserole in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. This means that you can have a comforting taste of the holidays even during less festive times.
Food Allergies
Use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup. I use Pacific Foods cream of mushroom soup.
Use gluten-free crispy onions. I use the 365 brand and Walmart also carries a gluten-free version.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole with Cheese
Ingredients
- 29 oz green beans 3 cans, drained
- 6 oz french fried onions
- 21 oz cream of mushroom soup 2 cans
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your crockpot. Ensure it's clean and well-greased to prevent sticking or use a crockpot liner.
- Add all the ingredients except the green beans and half of the French-fried onions into the crockpot. This includes the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and salt.
- Stir the ingredients thoroughly in the crockpot until they are well combined. This will create a creamy and flavorful sauce base for the casserole.
- Pour the green beans into the crockpot.
- Sprinkle half of the French-fried onions on top of the mixture. Stir the green beans and onions into the cream sauce until covered.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. The casserole should be heated through and bubbly.
- Optional- 10-15 minutes before serving brown the french-fried onions on the stovetop in a pan for about 3 minutes until brown and crispy.
- Before serving, carefully remove the lid and add the remaining French-fried onions on top of the casserole. This step adds a golden, crispy finish to the dish.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Susan says
This recipe was so easy and delicious! We made it for an early thanksgiving and everyone loved it.