Skinny Green Bean Casserole

Classic Green Bean Casserole Recipe

It’s that time of year again and I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is nearly upon us! How about some Skinny Green Bean Casserole for your Thanksgiving table? If you haven’t tried this savory, delicious dish, you are truly missing out! The good thing about this casserole is the “skinny” part. Might sound like an oxymoron but it’s legit, I promise you! You CAN have a skinny dish on the Thanksgiving table without sacrificing flavor! Believe me, your guests will be coming back for more when they get a taste of this and they won’t even have to wear yoga pants to eat all they want of this one. Before we jump into the recipe for this Skinny Green Bean Casserole, I have a funny story to tell you. This is another recipe I loved as a child and although I wasn’t a big green bean fan, there was just something about the green beans combined with the creamy soup and crunchy onions that really appealed to me.

I remember requesting it so often that my mom stopped serving it for Thanksgiving and Christmas because I burned the whole family out on it throughout the year! When I moved out of the house this was one of the only things I knew how to cook so I made it on a weekly basis. Anytime I invited friends over I always served Green Bean Casserole and finally one of my closest girlfriends pulled me aside and said “Look, we know you love Green Bean Casserole but is there anything else you know how to make?”  It’s still a favorite of mine and is ALWAYS on my holiday dinner table! You may even see it pop up throughout the year at my house!

The History and Origination of Green Bean Casserole

Have you ever wondered where a favorite dish of yours originated or who invented such a culinary delight? Green Bean Casserole has been around longer than I’ve been alive and in quick online search, I found that Green Bean Casserole was first created in 1955 for the Campbell Soup Company. I think it’s safe to say this is a “vintage” recipe!  A good recipe is timeless and anyone who likes green beans or even a few who may not can testify to the goodness of this delicious and savory casserole. I love the history and memories surrounding good food and recipes and always enjoy sharing my family favorites with you all here. If you’ve made it a million times or never made it at all, this Skinny Green Bean Casserole is worth trying!

Cut Green Beans are Perfect in Green Bean Casserole

If you’ve ever wondered exactly which green beans you should use in Green Bean Casserole, let me answer that for you. For this recipe, you’ll need two, 14.5 ounce cans of cut green beans. Drain the water off of the green beans (make sure you get it all!) then place the cut green beans in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Cream of Mushroom Soup in Skinny Green Bean Casserole

After you’ve added in the green beans, add in one, 10.5 ounce can of Fat Free or Healthy Cream of Mushroom Soup and 6 ounces of Fat Free Evaporated Milk. This combination of Cream of Mushroom Soup and Evaporated Milk gives this Skinny Green Bean Casserole such a wonderful, creamy flavor! If you have a dairy allergy, you can leave the milk out of this recipe and it will still turn out great.

Best Seasonings for Easy Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole just wouldn’t be the same without a couple of basic seasonings. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to your mixing bowl.

The Best Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Now that all of your ingredients have been added to the mixing bowl, it’s time to stir things up! Gently fold the cut green beans in with the other ingredients until everything is well mixed.

How to Cook Green Bean Casserole in the Oven

Spray an 8×8 (or equivalent sized) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the Skinny Green Bean Casserole mixture into the casserole dish.

French Fried Onions on Green Bean Casserole

Once the Green Bean Casserole is in the casserole dish, use a spoon or spatula to spread it out evenly in the dish. Top the casserole with 1 cup of French fried onions. These onions give this dish such a great flavor and a wonderfully crispy crunchy topping. If you absolutely hate onions in all forms, you can top this casserole with crushed Ritz crackers.

Making Green Bean Casserole Ahead of Time

Now if you’re baking this Green Bean Casserole the same day you’re serving it, then you’ll want to go ahead and pop it in the oven. Bake at 325F for 15 minutes or until heated through. If you want to make your Green Bean Casserole ahead of time, don’t top it with the onions or bake it yet. Pour the Skinny Green Bean Casserole into the casserole dish and then cover it with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking. Be sure to top the Green Bean Casserole with French fried onions before you bake it!

Green Bean Casserole in the Crockpot

Once your Green Bean Casserole is baked and heated through, remove it from the oven and serve hot. If you’re really looking to free up some oven space you can cook this Skinny Green Bean Casserole in a 2 quart or larger crockpot. Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray and then pour the green bean mixture in, topping it with the onions. Cover and cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours.

What to Serve with Homemade Green Bean Casserole

If you’re making Green Bean Casserole, chances are you are serving it for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. A few more recipes that pair beautifully with this casserole include: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole, Broccoli Cheese and Rice Casserole, and Slow Cooker Holiday Turkey.

How to Store Skinny Green Bean Casserole

Skinny Green Bean Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. While you may be able to freeze this casserole, I haven’t personally tried it so I can’t say whether or not it is freezer friendly. Thank you for taking the time to step into my kitchen today and cook up some deliciousness with me! I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday season and I hope that your family enjoys this Skinny Green Bean Casserole as much as mine does! Happy dining!

5 from 2 votes

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Skinny Green Bean Casserole

Skinny Green Bean Casserole is a creamy, savory side dish perfect for any holiday dinner table! 

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Classic Green Bean Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Skinny Green Bean Casserole

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Amy - The Speedy Spatula

Ingredients

• 2 14.5oz cans cut green beans drained
• 6 oz fat free evaporated milk
• 1 10.5oz can fat free cream of mushroom soup or Healthy Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup French fried onions

Instructions

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together the soup, milk, seasonings, and drained green beans.

2. Place mixture in a 8x8 casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake at 325F for 15 minutes or until cooked through. 

3. Serve hot and enjoy!