There’s something about the rich, melty cheese paired with smoky bacon that makes this **Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe** an all-time favorite comfort dish. It’s creamy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor in every bite — perfect for cozy dinners or holiday tables.

The image shows a close-up of a baked green bean casserole in a white dish. The dish has three main layers: the bottom layer is green beans with a shiny, soft texture; the middle layer is a creamy sauce mixed with small crispy bacon pieces scattered throughout, adding spots of red-brown color; the top layer is a crunchy, golden brown mix of fried onions and more bacon bits, creating a textured, uneven surface. A silver spoon is scooping a portion, lifting green beans and sauce from the dish. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made my fair share of green bean casseroles, but this version stands out because of its crispy bacon and layers of three different cheeses. It’s a step up from the classic, and every time I share it with friends, it gets rave reviews. You'll quickly discover how satisfying this dish can be, whether as a side or a main event.

Bold Flavor Combinations: The smoky bacon mixed with sharp cheddar gives tons of depth.
Perfect Creaminess: A blend of milk, heavy cream, and cheeses makes the sauce irresistibly silky.
Crunch on Top: The French fried onions add a nostalgic crunch you’ll crave again and again.
Simple Prep, Big Impact: Minimal fuss but maximum deliciousness, making it a winner for any occasion.

The image shows a baked casserole in a white dish, filled with a creamy base mixed with green beans visible throughout. The top is covered with golden brown crispy fried onions spread evenly, and small chunks of crispy, reddish-brown cooked bacon scattered all over. The casserole surface has a textured, slightly bubbly look with the topping layer crisply contrasting with the creamy and green base underneath. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe plays a special role, working together to create that wonderful balance of creaminess, smokiness, and crunch. Here’s a quick rundown on what makes each one shine and some shopping tips I’ve picked up along the way.

Flat lay of fresh green beans with bright green pods, crispy chopped bacon pieces with a reddish-brown hue, a small pat of unsalted butter on a white ceramic plate, a whole large yellow onion with its papery skin, two peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of fine all-purpose flour, a small white bowl filled with creamy whole milk, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a heap of finely grated sharp cheddar cheese with a bright orange tint, a heap of grated Monterey Jack cheese in creamy white, a small pile of finely grated Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl holding golden French fried onions, and whole uncracked eggs with clean brown shells, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a simple white ceramic surface placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh green beans: Choose vibrant, firm beans for the best texture after blanching.
Bacon: Go for thick-cut bacon for extra smoky flavor and satisfying crispiness.
Unsalted butter: Controls the salt level in your sauce so it doesn’t get overpowering.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and body to the creamy base.
Garlic: Just a little kick to deepen the savory notes without overwhelming.
All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickener for the luscious cheese sauce.
Whole milk: Creates a smooth, creamy texture that's crucial for the sauce.
Smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky essence and adds subtle warmth.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce incredibly rich and velvety.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings bold, tangy flavor that melts beautifully.
Monterey Jack cheese: Offers a mild, creamy contrast to cheddar's sharpness.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the cheesy sauce.
French fried onions: The perfect crunchy topping everyone loves on a casserole.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe is how flexible it is—you can easily tailor it to your taste or dietary preferences. Over time, I’ve made a few tweaks that really elevate it, and I’d encourage you to play around too.

Variation: I sometimes swap out Monterey Jack for Gruyère when I want a nuttier, more complex flavor—it’s a great twist.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter option, you can use turkey bacon or even skip the bacon and roast mushrooms for an earthy bite.
Seasonal change: Swap fresh green beans for frozen if you’re out of season—it still works well, just skip blanching or adjust cook time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Blanch the Green Beans

Start by trimming the ends off your fresh green beans and cutting them in half if you like smaller bites. I always prepare an ice bath before boiling the beans—it’s a little extra step but totally worth it to keep the beans crisp and vibrantly green. Boil for just 3-4 minutes, then dunk them in the ice water right away. This stops the cooking and locks in that perfect texture.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon and Sauté Onions

While the beans chill, crisp up your chopped bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat—about 5 minutes usually does it. Transfer the bacon onto a paper towel to drain excess fat. Then wipe out the skillet but leave a tiny bit of bacon fat; it adds such amazing flavor when you sauté the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. Don’t rush this part—soft onions are key to a creamy, flavorful sauce.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

Next, sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for about a minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the milk, keeping things smooth, and let it thicken over a few minutes. I love adding smoked paprika here—it subtly enhances the bacon's smokiness. Off the heat, stir in heavy cream and your cheeses: sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Folding in half the bacon and onions here means less topping but double flavor!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Transfer your green beans to the greased baking dish, pour the luscious cheese sauce over, and gently stir to coat everything evenly. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25 minutes, until bubbly and golden. For that irresistible crunch, sprinkle the remaining bacon and fried onions on top and bake 5 more minutes. That last step is pure magic—it makes the top perfectly crispy and golden.

Top Tip

While making Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe, I learned a few tricks that really make a difference in taste and texture. Trust me, these little details elevated my first attempts and will help you get it just right the first time.

Blanch and shock the green beans: Don’t skip the ice bath—it stops cooking instantly, preserving that perfect snap.
Use a mix of cheeses: The sharp cheddar brings bold flavor while Monterey Jack melts smoothly—balance is key.
Reserve some bacon and onions for topping: This keeps the surface crunchy while infusing every bite with smoky goodness.
Don’t rush the roux: Cooking the flour in butter thoroughly prevents any gritty flour taste in your sauce.

How to Serve Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe

cheesy green bean casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to add a few extra crispy fried onions right before serving for that irresistible final crunch. A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a touch of color and freshness, which balances the richness beautifully. Sometimes, I even grate a little extra parmesan on top for a salty finish.

Side Dishes

This cheesy green bean casserole shines alongside roasted chicken or a hearty beef roast. I also love serving it with mashed potatoes or buttery dinner rolls to soak up all that creamy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes serve this casserole in individual ramekins topped with extra bacon and onions for a personalized touch. It makes the meal feel special and guests love having their own crispy, cheesy dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The casserole holds up well for 3-4 days, though the fried onion topping softens a bit. I usually add fresh crispy onions before reheating to keep the crunch alive.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully—I prepare and bake it fully, then freeze in a well-sealed container. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at 350°F until warmed through. Add fresh fried onions on top after reheating for that perfect crunch.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the casserole loosely with foil to keep it moist and heat at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. Removing the foil near the end helps crisp up the edges again. Adding a sprinkle of fresh crispy onions on top really revives that just-baked appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen green beans for this casserole?

Absolutely! If you use frozen green beans, there's no need to blanch them. Just thaw and pat dry before mixing with the sauce.

What type of bacon works best in this recipe?

Thick-cut bacon is my personal favorite because it crisps up nicely and adds a bold smoky flavor, but regular sliced bacon also works well.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Just add the topping and bake when ready to serve for the best texture.

How do I get the fried onions extra crispy?

Adding the fried onions in two parts—half into the sauce and half as a topping—helps keep some crunchy while infusing flavor throughout. Baking the topping at the end crisp them up perfectly, too.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it brings together simple ingredients to create something truly comforting and crowd-pleasing. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, and I hope you enjoy making it (and eating it!) as much as I do. Give it a try soon—you might just find your new favorite side.