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Green Bean Casserole - easy and the BEST ham and cheese green bean casserole recipe from scratch for Thanksgiving holidays. This recipe is healthy, so delicious and feeds a large crowd.
Green Bean Casserole
This green bean casserole recipe pays tribute to the classic recipe, but takes it to a different level with the added ham and cheese.
This ham and cheese green bean casserole is creamy and cheesy and packed full of flavors and much better than any recipes I have tried. In fact, it’s THE BEST ever!
The green beans are not mushy and soggy, but stay fresh and crisp because they are not blanched beforehand.
Ingredients
The classic ingredients in the nostalgic green bean casserole are all present and accounted for.
The addition of ham and cheese enhance the flavors.
- French green beans or haricots verts are thinner and more tender than regular green beans. They have a more robust flavor.
- Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup.
- Half and Half.
- Chopped onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Cooked and cubed ham.
- Shredded cheddar cheese.
- Store-bought crispy French fried onions.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make Easy Green Bean Casserole
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) and grease a 10×12-inch (25 cm x 30 cm) baking dish with butter. In a large bowl, whisk together the soup, half and half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the green beans, ham, onion, 2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the French fried onions.
Step 2. Pour the casserole mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese. Bake until bubbling and crusty, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top the green bean casserole with the remaining ½ cup of French fried onions. Serve immediately.
What To Serve With Green Bean Casserole
A classic choice would be Thanksgiving turkey or oven roasted chicken, roasted Cornish Hens or holiday ham.
The casserole also goes well with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Sweet potatoes.
- Cranberry sauce.
- Homemade biscuits.
Cooking Tips
- DO NOT BLANCH the green beans because there is no need to. Your green beans will have a crisp texture after baking, and not soggy and mushy. You will forever thank me for this cooking tip!
- Experiment with different kinds of cheese, like Gruyere or Monterey Jack.
- Use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom if some of your guests don’t like mushrooms.
- Be creative with different spices like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, dry mustard or crushed red pepper.
- Step it up a notch and use Creme Fraiche and sautéed fresh mushrooms instead of canned cream of mushroom soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can mix all ingredients together one day in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge.
Always store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This recipe is only 375 calories per serving.
Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
For a festive Thanksgiving dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- unsalted butter, for greasing baking dish
- 1 lb (500g) French green beans , or haricots verts, trimmed and cut into 2-inch (5cm) lengths
- 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 lb (250g) ham, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups canned French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) and grease a 10×12-inch (25 cm x 30 cm) baking dish with butter. In a large bowl, whisk together the soup, half and half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the green beans, ham, onion, 2 cups of the cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of the French fried onions.
- Pour the casserole mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese. Bake until bubbling and crusty, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top the green bean casserole with the remaining ½ cup of French fried onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Not my sort of dish but I thought the point of blanching the beans is to stop them giving off liquid into the sauce.
Made this green bean casserole last night. It’s going on my Thanksgiving menu this year for sure! Probably do it without the salt and still be delicious. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks this will be the best green bean casserole you make, I promise.
Can you just use can green beans?
Sure you can skip the ham but I think you will want the cheese. You can try this Brown Butter Green Beans recipe which is very good: https://rasamalaysia.com/green-beans/
Will try this recipe, can not get a recipe that I like.
Hi Marie, this recipe is super awesome, you will have to try it. It will be the best green bean casserole ever!