Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
By Sammi Brondo — October 26, 2026
Green bean casserole should be delicious, and this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole finally delivers. It’s made with fresh green beans in a rich, silky cream sauce, plenty of parmesan, and homemade crispy shallots on top. It’s a great Thanksgiving side dish, and it works for any holiday meal or anytime you want to make green beans fun.
I never loved green bean casserole. But, because it’s a traditional Thanksgiving dish, I set out to make one that was actually delicious.
In theory, green bean casserole should be delicious.
Green beans. Cream. Crispy shallots. But I never loved it – until I made this one.
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole has a few key differences to your classic boxed version.
(And hey, no yucking anyone’s yum! If you like that version, cool. It just was never for me.)
This uses fresh green beans, plus plenty of cream to add a rich flavor and silky texture.
It also adds plenty of cheese, which adds a great savory, salty layer to the dish.
Plus, the homemade crispy shallots. They’re so good, you’ll want to eat them by themselves (but please, save them for the recipe!).
While this dish is traditional for Thanksgiving, I love it as a side dish for any holiday meal. It’s a great way to add flavor to vegetables and make green beans fun.
Food is supposed to taste good and be fun. Food is nostalgic. I mean, who’s remembering bland green beans?!
So if you feel like making something that will wow your guests – or if you just want a delicious side dish – this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a must.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Made completely from scratch: Forget the canned soup and packaged fried onions! This homemade green bean casserole uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a flavorful side dish that’s worth the extra few minutes of preparation.
- The perfect combination of textures: Between the tender green beans, creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy golden shallots, every bite has a little bit of everything. The crispy topping adds the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy casserole.
- Packed with cheesy flavor: Parmesan cheese gives this casserole a deliciously savory flavor without overpowering the green beans. It’s the perfect way to take a traditional vegetable side dish to the next level.
- A crowd-pleasing holiday side dish: Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, bringing a dish to Friendsgiving, or planning Christmas dinner, this cheesy green bean casserole is a great addition to the table. It’s familiar enough for traditional green bean casserole lovers but has a fun, flavorful twist.
- Made with everyday ingredients: You don’t need any complicated ingredients or special equipment to make this recipe. Fresh vegetables, milk, cream, cheese, and a few pantry staples come together to create something that tastes extra special.
- A delicious way to enjoy vegetables: Green beans are a great source of fiber and provide nutrients like vitamin K and vitamin C. Pairing them with a rich, creamy sauce and crispy topping makes for a satisfying vegetable dish that’s all about enjoying your food.
How to Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Preheat oven & prepare shallots
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Thinly slice the shallots and separate the rings with your hands. Toss in 3 tablespoons of flour so that they’re lightly coated.
Fry shallots until golden brown
Add olive oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shallots and fry, stirring frequently, until the shallots are golden brown and crispy (if your pan isn’t big enough, pour the oil and fry the shallots in batches). Place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil and set aside.
Prepare green bean casserole
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and boil for a few minutes, until soft. Transfer the green beans to an ice bath and set aside. In a large pan over medium heat, add the butter and additional 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir frequently to create a roux.
Slowly add in the milk, stirring frequently. Add in the cream, salt, and pepper and let cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until thick. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Roughly chop the green beans into 1-inch pieces. Pour them into a greased casserole dish. Add the milk mixture, 1/2 cup of the crispy shallots, 1 cup of parmesan cheese and mix to combine.
Bake for 30-35 min
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and mix. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and place back in the oven on broil for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
Serve
Top Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with remaining crispy shallots and serve.
If You Love This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole, Try These
- Roasted California Grape Stuffing with Candied Walnuts
- Kale & Toasted Walnut Sourdough Stuffing
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice, Grapes, Feta and Roasted Almonds
- Crispy Parmesan Smashed Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shallots: Shallots have a slightly sweeter, more delicate flavor than regular onions. When thinly sliced, coated in flour, and fried until golden, they create the delicious crispy topping that makes this casserole extra special.
- All-purpose flour: You’ll use 3 tablespoons to lightly coat the shallots before frying and another 2 tablespoons to thicken the cream sauce. The flour helps create both the crunchy topping and the smooth, creamy consistency of the casserole.
- Olive oil: Used to fry the shallots until they’re golden brown and crispy. Olive oil adds a subtle flavor and helps create that satisfying crunch.
- Fresh green beans: Fresh green beans are the star of this recipe! Look for beans that are bright green and firm, and be sure to trim the ends before cooking.
- Butter: Butter combines with flour to create a roux, which helps thicken the sauce. It also adds a rich, buttery flavor that complements the cheese.
- Whole milk: Whole milk helps create a smooth, creamy sauce without making it overly heavy. It provides the liquid base for the casserole and balances the richness of the heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Heavy cream: Heavy cream gives the sauce its extra-rich, silky texture. A little goes a long way in making this casserole taste creamy and indulgent.
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds a delicious salty, nutty flavor that makes this green bean casserole different from the traditional version. Some gets mixed into the casserole, while the rest is added on top for a golden, cheesy finish.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Tips & Variations
- Don’t overcook the green beans: Blanch the green beans just until they’re tender but still have a little bite. They’ll continue cooking in the oven, so this helps prevent them from becoming too soft or mushy.
- Make sure the shallots are crispy: Slice the shallots as evenly as possible so they cook at the same rate. Fry them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can prevent them from getting perfectly golden and crispy.
- Try different cheeses: Parmesan gives this casserole its delicious savory flavor, but you can experiment with other cheeses like Gruyère, sharp cheddar, or a combination. Gruyère adds a slightly nutty flavor, while cheddar makes the casserole extra cheesy.
- Add mushrooms for extra flavor: Sauté sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms until their moisture has evaporated, then mix them into the casserole before baking. They add a delicious earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese sauce.
- Don’t skip the ice bath: Transferring the green beans to ice water immediately after blanching stops the cooking process and helps preserve their bright green color. This makes a big difference in both the texture and appearance of the finished dish.
- Make it ahead of time: To save time on Thanksgiving or another busy holiday, assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance without the crispy shallot topping. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then add the shallots just before baking, allowing a little extra baking time since the casserole will be cold.
- Store leftovers properly: Transfer leftover green bean casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Keep any extra crispy shallots separate, if possible, so they don’t become soggy.
- Reheat for the best texture: Reheat leftovers in an oven-safe dish at 350°F, covered loosely with foil, until heated through to 165°F. Remove the foil toward the end and add fresh crispy shallots to help bring back that delicious crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredients
- 3 large shallots
- 3 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 pound green beans ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup Tuscan whole milk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup + 1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Thinly slice the shallots and separate the rings with your hands. Toss in 3 tablespoons of flour so that they’re lightly coated.
- Add olive oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shallots and fry, stirring frequently, until the shallots are golden brown and crispy (if your pan isn’t big enough, pour the oil and fry the shallots in batches). Place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and boil for a few minutes, until soft. Transfer the green beans to an ice bath and set aside.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add the butter and additional 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir frequently to create a roux.
- Slowly add in the milk, stirring frequently. Add in the cream, salt, and pepper and let cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until thick. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Roughly chop the green beans into 1-inch pieces. Pour them into a greased casserole dish. Add the milk mixture, 1/2 cup of the crispy shallots, 1 cup of parmesan cheese and mix to combine.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and mix. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and place back in the oven on broil for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Top with remaining crispy shallots and serve.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @sammibrondo.rd on Instagram or leave a star rating and comment below!
This blog post contains affiliate links, where I may earn a small commission from a purchase. I really appreciate your support!
If you’ve made and love this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ rating and comment below!
