Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole is a rich, creamy, and crispy side dish that’s perfect for family dinners or holiday feasts. The tender green beans mixed with crispy bacon pieces and topped with golden fried onions create a delicious texture combo you’ll love. This recipe is super easy to make using pantry staples and comes together quickly for busy weeknights. For a hearty weeknight meal, pair it with my Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops recipe for an unforgettable dinner.
Why You'll Love Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion
Discover the easy Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole recipe loaded with crispy bacon and creamy flavors. Perfect comfort food side dish for any meal!
- Loaded with crispy bacon and creamy mushroom sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Made with simple pantry staples and fresh green beans—beginner-friendly and quick to prepare.
- Perfect as a side dish for holiday meals, weeknight dinners, or potlucks.
- Easy to customize with toppings or make ahead for meal prep convenience.
Ingredients for Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion
Green beans: Fresh is best for texture; frozen green beans work but reduce cooking time slightly.Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness; turkey bacon can be substituted for a leaner option.
- Green beans: Fresh is best for texture; frozen green beans work but reduce cooking time slightly.
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness; turkey bacon can be substituted for a leaner option.
Ingredient Note: Full measurements for Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion are listed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion
Step 1 — Prep & Preheat
Prepare the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
Step 2 — Cook and Build Flavor
Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 3 — Finish, Taste, and Adjust
Make the sauce: Add cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the skillet with bacon fat. Stir and cook over medium heat until warmed through and combined.
Expert Tips for Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion
- Don’t overcook green beans in boiling water – aim for tender-crisp to avoid mushy casserole.
- If you prefer, use fresh mushrooms sautéed with bacon fat instead of canned soup for a homemade sauce.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a subtle smoky or spicy kick.
Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion
Discover the easy Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole recipe loaded with crispy bacon and creamy flavors. Perfect comfort food side dish for any meal!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup French fried onions
Seasonings & Flavor Boosters
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
- Extra cheese for topping
Instructions
How to Make Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole
- Prepare the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
- Make the sauce: Add cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika to the skillet with bacon fat. Stir and cook over medium heat until warmed through and combined.
- Combine & bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked green beans, half the bacon, half the fried onions, shredded cheese, and mushroom sauce. Transfer to a greased 9x9-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, then sprinkle remaining bacon and fried onions on top. Bake an additional 5 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
Nutrition (per serving)
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended (texture changes).
- Serve/Reheat: Best chilled or at room temperature.
Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day before and refrigerate. Bake just before serving. You can also freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 1 month and bake after thawing overnight.
You can make a quick homemade mushroom sauce by sautéing fresh mushrooms with butter, adding flour, milk, and seasoning to thicken, avoiding canned soups.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the casserole before baking.
Overcooking green beans or adding too much liquid can make the casserole soggy. Be sure to cook green beans just until tender-crisp and drain excess moisture before mixing.
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Before You Go
If you try this Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole: Easy Comfort Food for Every Occasion, I’d love for you to leave a rating or share how you customized it.