This classic green bean casserole with cream cheese is a quick and easy casserole that comes together in no time. It can be made with fresh or canned green beans, and is the perfect holiday side dish for the family.
Mix together cream of mushroom soup, milk, cream cheese and minced garlic in a medium size bowl. Stir the mixture until everything is thoroughly combined. In case the cream cheese is not softened, use a whisk to blend it in.
Drain the green beans and add to the cream cheese mixture, mixing gently. Then, mix in ⅔ cup of fried onions.
Transfer the green bean mixture to a 1 ½ -quart baking dish and bake it for 30 minutes.
Once the 30 minutes are up, take the baking dish out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining fried onions, hard cheese and chopped nuts, on top of the mixture. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the onions and cheese mixture turn golden in color.
Finish by sprinkling scallions on top and serve.
Notes
Swap canned beans. You can use fresh and tender green beans instead of canned beans, but if you do this, trim off the ends and blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes before adding them.
Get creative with crunchy toppings. Think beyond just the traditional french fried onions. Add fresh Panko breadcrumbs or roasted almonds / walnuts for a delicious crunchy topping as well.
Make sure your sauce isn’t too runny. To make sure your sauce is thick and creamy, mix together cream cheese, butter, and a few tablespoons of all-purpose flour before adding it to your dish.