Green bean casseroleis a savory holiday side dish with all kinds of big and delicious flavors, and it’s totally easy to make day of or ahead of time!

a circular baking dish with crispy onions on top a traditional green bean caserole.

Could anyone else out there survive on casseroles alone? I know they’re not for everyone, but I can’t get enough. They just remind me ofcozy comfort foods that warm you up with their rich and savory flavors, and Grandma’s green bean casserole lives up to all the casserole hype.

Homemade green bean casserole has to be one of my favorites. Not only does it remind me of sweet memories around the holidays, butthe textures and flavors are unrealand just so good. You’ll lovethis rendition with cracker crumbs on topbecause they lend a crunchy, salty topping to an already incredible dish!

a dinner plate of holiday classics highlighting specifically grandmas green bean casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This green bean casserole is theperfect homemade sideto bring to holiday celebrationswith loved ones, and it’s a piece of cake to whip up withonly 15 minutesof prep time and 30 in the oven.
It’s a holiday favorite that’s warming to the soul and beyond easy tomake on the day of a gathering or ahead of time.Nobody wants to be slaving away in the kitchen for hours!
You can prep all the ingredients, bake the casserole, and then eitherfreeze it if the event’s a ways off or refrigerate it if it’s only a couple of days away.And it tastes just as good reheated as the first time it was made. That’s sort of the magic of casserole.

Recipe Ingredients

Green beans
Butter– trymaking your own butter!
Onion –any color of onion
Garlic –minced
Flour –all-purpose
Milk
Sour cream
Cracker crumbs –I use butter round crackers

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Melt butter, then add the onion, garlic, flour and milk.
Stir in sour cream and green beans and put in baking dish.
Add the cracker crumbs and melted butter.
Sprinkle the cracker crumbs over the mixture and bake.

Recipe FAQs

What goes with green bean casserole?

Of course, green bean casserole is typically a holiday side dish, so any of your normal suspects on a holiday table really go nicely with it: turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or homemade cranberry sauce are all super tasty with it!

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup in a casserole?

So, my recipe for green bean casserole doesn’t use cream of mushroom soup (even though a vast majority of recipes out there do call for it). I think soup can be a good way to make it creamy, but I’m not a huge fan of using it myself, so I make a creamy base using milk and sour cream that is divine in this casserole.

Can I mix up green bean casserole the night before?

You sure can! Just make the casserole as the instructions call for below, and then let it cool completely before covering it tightly with a lid or plastic wrap overnight. You can make it up to 3 days ahead, and you can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Green bean topped with cracker crumbs in white baking dish on blue and white towel.

Expert Tips

Green bean casserole can bereheated in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through.
I usea 2.5-quart baking dish(this can be a 9-inch square, a 9-inch round, or other similar-sized oval dishes).
Usingbutter round crackersfor the cracker crumbs adds great flavor and texture.