Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

What sets this Green Bean Casserole apart is its 5 layers of irresistible taste! A layer of canned green beans is topped with a creamy mixture of sour cream and cream of mushroom soup - a layer of Velveeta cheese (oh yeah!) - and a layer of crushed Ritz crackers drizzled with melted butter!

With only 5 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cook time, you can create a creamy cheesy Green Bean Casserole (southern style) that elevates your Thanksgiving feast to the next delicious level.

Don't forget the Sweet Potato Casserole, too! They're the perfect side dishes for any holiday meal.

• Family Recipe - I love this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole because my sister gave it to me, and I happen to think it's the best!
• Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with comfort.
• Buttery Ritz cracker topping = irresistible crunch.
• Easy to make with simple ingredients.
• Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy dinner.
• Guaranteed crowd-pleaser (good luck with leftovers!).

Most of the time, the turkey takes the spotlight, but to me, it's the delicious side dishes like this one that I look forward to!

Ingredients You'll Need

Cut green beans - canned green beans are a convenient option that still delivers the classic taste and texture you're aiming for in this dish. I like the regular cut but you can use French style green beans if that's all you have.

Sour cream - adds a rich, creamy, and tangy flavor to the casserole's sauce.

Cream of mushroom soup - when mixed with sour cream, forms a creamy and flavorful sauce that coats every green bean! This sauce is what gives the casserole its signature flavor.

Velveeta cheese - serves as a star ingredient in a green bean casserole, adding a rich smooth texture and melty cheesy flavor! Instead of slicing the Velveeta cheese into cubes, it's cut into slices. This way, it melts into each and every nook and cranny!

Seasonings - garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. That's it! No need to add salt because the soup, cheese, and crackers already provide enough salt for this casserole.

Ritz Crackers and butter - A buttered Ritz cracker topping serves as the proverbial cherry on top of a green bean casserole! It's crunchy, buttery, salty goodness that bakes up golden brown. It's perfect!

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

• You can use fresh blanched green beans instead of canned, or use frozen green beans. If you use frozen green beans, let them thaw first and drain off the excess moisture.
• Opt for a different type of cheese, such as cheddar cheese, if Velveeta isn't your preference.
• Instead of Ritz crackers, use corn flakes or French fried onions. The flavor will be totally different but will still work.
• Cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup are good replacements if you don't like the flavor of mushrooms. Mushroom gravy is also a good choice if you just don't want to use the soup.
• Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute for the sour cream.
• For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon bits to the casserole before baking.
• Add slivered almonds for added crunch!

Best Way to Crush Ritz Crackers

If you've been taking the Ritz crackers out of their container, putting them in a zip lock bag, and crushing them with a rolling pen....you've been doing way too many steps!

The easiest way to crush Ritz crackers is to simply hold the sleeve of crackers, don't open it, and use your fingers to press on the crackers, going up and down the sleeve until they're the right consistency for your preference. That's it!

How to Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Be sure to follow the recipe card when making this recipe!

Layer 1 - spread drained green beans in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Layer 2 - combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings. Spread on top of the green beans.

Layer 3 - add a layer of sliced Velveeta cheese.

Layer 4 - add crushed Ritz crackers.

Layer 5 - drizzle melted butter on top of crackers. Bake!

Tips for Success

• Make sure to drain the canned green beans thoroughly to prevent excess liquid in the casserole.
• Don't skip the buttered Ritz Cracker topping-it adds a rich buttery crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creaminess of the casserole.
• Taste test before baking and adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick 😉
• Use leftover Ritz crackers to make my famous Cabbage Casserole!

What to Serve With Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is the social butterfly of Thanksgiving sides. It mingles splendidly with roasted turkey, cozying up to mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, tangy cranberry sauce, and those buttery dinner rolls. Its creamy and savory so it's a must-have southern side dish at your holiday table - it's like the best guest who gets along with everyone!

Make Ahead Directions

You can totally prep this casserole ahead of the big event! Here's how to do it in 3 easy steps:

1. Assemble: Go ahead and layer those green beans, sauce, and cheese (don't add the cracker topping yet! We don't want it to get soggy.
2. Cover and Refrigerate: Instead of baking it right away, cover your casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then pop it in the fridge. It can chill out there for up to a day.
3. Bake When Ready: When it's go-time, simply take the casserole out of the fridge. Now you can add the crackers and butter. Then, slide it into the preheated oven and bake according to the recipe card. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it's going in cold.

What to do with Leftovers

Got leftlover Cheesy Green Bean Casserole? Lucky you! Try these quick ideas:

• Reheat with a fresh sprinkle of Ritz for crunch.
• Stuff into baked potatoes for a cheesy upgrade.
• Toss with hash browns, top with a fried egg = breakfast win.
• Stir into pasta, add cheese, and bake until bubbly.
• Blend with broth for a creamy veggie soup.

Store in the fridge (airtight container) for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best flavor or the microwave if you're in a hurry.