CHEDDAR BAY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
This Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole takes the classic holiday side dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Crisp-tender green beans are tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce infused with the flavors of Cheddar Bay biscuits, then topped with even more cheese and buttery, herb-seasoned breadcrumbs. It's comfort food at its finest!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved (or 2 (14.5 ounce) cans green beans, drained)
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- 1 cup buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Prepare green beans: If using fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well. If using canned green beans, make sure they are well drained.
- Make the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, milk, sour cream, dried minced onion, garlic powder, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine green beans and sauce: Add the green beans to the sauce and stir until they are evenly coated.
- Prepare topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, parsley, and dill weed. Mix well.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheddar cheese over the top. Then, evenly distribute the cracker topping over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans are best for this casserole, but you can use canned or frozen green beans if you prefer.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use other cheeses that melt well, such as Monterey Jack or Gruyere.
- Crackers: Buttery round crackers (like Ritz) add a delicious flavor and texture to the topping. You can also use other types of crackers or breadcrumbs.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.