Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish, but adding cream cheese and bacon elevates it to a whole new level of richness and flavor. This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole recipe combines the earthy freshness of green beans with the creamy tang of cream cheese and the smoky, salty crunch of bacon. It’s perfect for holiday meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, but it’s also simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or for your family, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to make a perfectly balanced creamy bacon green bean casserole from scratch. This recipe will walk you through selecting the right green beans, crisping up bacon, and making a velvety cream cheese sauce. We’ll also include customization tips, storage instructions, and pairing suggestions for a full meal experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans

1. Blanch the Green Beans: If you’re using fresh green beans, start by blanching them. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and then add the trimmed green beans. Blanch the beans for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green but still crisp. After boiling, immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the beans and set them aside.
2. Using Canned Beans: If using canned green beans, drain them thoroughly and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

1. Crisp the Bacon: In a large frying pan, cook the 6 strips of bacon over medium heat until crispy, turning occasionally to cook both sides evenly. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Once the bacon is done, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess grease. Once cooled, chop the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
2. Reserve Bacon Grease: Keep about 1-2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the frying pan for cooking the onions and garlic, as this will add additional flavor to the casserole.

Step 3: Sauté the Onions and Garlic

1. Cook the Onions: In the same frying pan with the reserved bacon grease, add the diced onion and sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
2. Add the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
3. Set Aside: Once the onions and garlic are cooked, set them aside in a bowl. These will be mixed into the casserole filling.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Sauce

1. Melt the Cream Cheese: In a medium saucepan over low heat, add the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth.
2. Add the Broth: Slowly add the chicken or vegetable broth, whisking until the liquid is fully incorporated. This helps thin out the sauce and makes it easier to coat the green beans.
3. Season the Sauce: Add the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt depending on how salty the bacon and cheese are.
4. Add the Cheeses: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to whisk over low heat until the cheeses are melted and the sauce becomes thick and creamy.

Step 5: Combine the Ingredients

1. Mix the Beans and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans with the cooked onions, garlic, and chopped bacon. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
2. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the green bean mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly using a spatula.

Step 6: Add the Topping

1. Prepare the Bacon Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fried onions. This combination adds crunch, cheesiness, and extra bacon flavor to the casserole.
2. Top the Casserole: Sprinkle the bacon topping evenly over the casserole.

Step 7: Bake the Casserole

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
3. Broil for Extra Crispness: If you want an extra crispy topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid burning the topping.

Step 8: Serve

1. Cool Slightly: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to thicken slightly and make it easier to portion out.
2. Garnish: Optionally, garnish the casserole with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color.
3. Enjoy: Serve warm as a side dish for your holiday meal, or make it the star of a simple dinner paired with crusty bread or a fresh salad.

Tips for Success

1. Don’t Overcook the Green Beans: If using fresh green beans, be careful not to overcook them when blanching. You want them to remain slightly crisp to prevent them from becoming mushy after baking.
2. Customize the Cheese: Feel free to use different types of cheese based on your preference. Gouda, mozzarella, or even Gruyere would add a delicious flavor twist.
3. Make Ahead: You can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Simply assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature before putting it in the oven.
4. Add Vegetables: For more flavor and texture, consider adding other vegetables to the casserole. Mushrooms, bell peppers, or even peas could work well.
5. Homemade Fried Onions: If you want to make your own fried onions, simply slice onions thinly, dip them in a buttermilk batter, and fry them in hot oil until crispy. Homemade fried onions add a fresher flavor compared to store-bought ones.

Variations

1. Spicy Version: If you like a bit of heat, add some chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the cream cheese sauce or mix in a tablespoon of hot sauce.
2. Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra cheese or mushrooms for more flavor.
3. Low-Carb Version: If you’re looking to make this dish low-carb, you can substitute the heavy cream for a lower-carb alternative like unsweetened almond milk and use a keto-friendly cheese.
4. Crunchy Topping Alternatives: Instead of fried onions, you can top the casserole with panko bread crumbs for an extra crispy texture, or add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy twist.

Pairing Suggestions

Main Dishes

• Roast Turkey or Chicken: Cream cheese and bacon green bean casserole is the perfect side dish for a juicy roast turkey or chicken.
• Pork Tenderloin: The richness of the cream cheese and bacon pairs beautifully with lean pork tenderloin.
• Grilled Steak: Serve this casserole alongside a grilled steak for a luxurious, indulgent meal.

Side Dishes

• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes complement the casserole’s rich sauce.
• Dinner Rolls: Warm, soft rolls are perfect for soaking up any leftover creamy sauce.
• Fresh Salad: A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness of the casserole.

Storing and Reheating

1. Refrigerate: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
2. Reheat: To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
3. Freeze: You can freeze this casserole by assembling it but leaving off the topping. Once fully cooled, cover tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as directed.

Conclusion

This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a delicious upgrade to the traditional green bean casserole recipe. The creamy sauce made from cream cheese and sharp cheddar combined with the smoky bacon and crispy fried onions will leave everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re serving this for a special holiday gathering or as a cozy family dinner, it’s sure to become a favorite dish on your table.

Yield: 6

Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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Green bean casserole is a classic side dish, but adding cream cheese and bacon elevates it to a whole new level of richness and flavor. This Cream Cheese and Bacon Green Bean Casserole recipe combines the earthy freshness of green beans with the creamy tang of cream cheese and the smoky, salty crunch of bacon. It's perfect for holiday meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, but it’s also simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or for your family, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed (or 2 cans of green beans, drained)
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup crispy fried onions (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Bacon:

• In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy.
• Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.

3. Sauté the Onions and Garlic:

• In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.

4. Prepare the Green Beans:

• If using fresh green beans, steam or blanch them for 5-7 minutes until tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.

5. Make the Creamy Mixture:

• In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Stir in the sautéed onions, garlic, and half of the crispy bacon pieces.
• Add the green beans and mix until well coated.

6. Assemble the Casserole:

• Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

7. Bake the Casserole:

• Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Add Toppings:

• Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the crispy fried onions and remaining bacon pieces over the top.
• Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy.

9. Serve:

• Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Green Bean Option: You can substitute fresh green beans with frozen ones (thawed) or canned for convenience.
• Bacon Tips: For extra bacon flavor, use some of the bacon grease in the creamy mixture.
• Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.