Bacon Loaded Green Bean Casserole (The BEST Holiday Side)

If you love classic green bean casserole but think it needs more oomph, this bacon loaded version will blow your mind.

Smoky bacon, creamy mushroom sauce, crisp-tender beans, and a crunchy topping combine into the perfect holiday side that friends and family will fight over at your New Year table 😍

This is pure comfort food with personality, and yes you will make it again and again.

📌 Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here is a handy overview for skimmers, procrastinators, or anyone with hungry people looking over their shoulder:

• Serves: 6 to 10
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour
• Highlight: A rich, creamy, bacon-studded green bean casserole with mushroom sauce and crisp topping perfect for holiday dinner, New Year potlucks, or cozy family feasts.

If your holiday cooking list is already long, this recipe is definitely worth carving out the time for — trust me, it steals the show every time.

🛒 Ingredients You Need

Below is the full ingredient list, plus notes so you know exactly what to buy and why each item matters.

Fresh Produce

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed – Fresh beans give the best texture. They end up tender but still firm, not mushy.
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced – Baby bella or white mushrooms add deep umami flavor.
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped – Sweet and mellow when cooked down.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Garlic makes everything better, right?
• Fresh herbs (optional) – Parsley or thyme for garnish and brightness.

Meats & Dairy

• 8 to 10 slices thick cut bacon, chopped – This is where all the smoky goodness comes from. Don’t skimp.
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness to the sauce.
• 1 cup heavy cream – Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy.
• (Optional substitution: half and half or whole milk can be used if you want it lighter.)

Pantry Essentials

• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour – For thickening that silky sauce.
• 1 cup chicken broth – Store-bought or homemade. Vegetable broth works if you want to keep it vegetarian (just omit bacon).
• Salt and pepper to taste – Essential. Don’t skip seasoning.
• French fried onions or crispy shallots – For the irresistible crunchy topping.
• Grated cheese (optional) – Sharp cheddar or gruyere melts beautifully into the sauce.

👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make this showstopper bacon loaded green bean casserole from scratch. I’ve broken it down into manageable steps so you won’t feel overwhelmed, even if you’re juggling holiday chaos.

1) Prep Your Ingredients

Before you turn on the stove, get everything ready:

• Trim both ends of the green beans and rinse them under cold water.
• Chop the bacon, onion, and mushrooms.
• Mince the garlic and measure out your dairy and broth.

Having everything prepped makes the cooking smooth and stress free — and you won’t be scrambling with one hand while holding the phone in the other.

2) Blanch the Green Beans (for Best Texture)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for about 3 minutes until bright green and just tender.

Why blanch? Without blanching, beans can stay too firm or cook unevenly in the oven. A quick blanch ensures perfect texture: tender with a slight bite.

Immediately drain and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep the color vibrant. Drain again and set aside.

💡 Tip: If you’re short on time you can skip this step and just toss the raw beans straight into the casserole, but I really recommend it.

3) Cook the Bacon Until Crispy

Heat a large oven-safe skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan — this is pure flavor you don’t want to waste!

4) Sauté the Aromatics

In the bacon fat, add the butter. Once melted, add the finely chopped onion and mushrooms. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until it becomes aromatic. Your kitchen should smell amazing by now.

5) Make the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked veggies and stir constantly for about 1 minute. This forms the roux which thickens the sauce.

Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking, then add the heavy cream. Continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.

If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.

6) Combine Everything

Turn off the heat. Add the blanched green beans and about half of the crispy bacon into the sauce. If you’re using cheese, stir it in now so it melts evenly into the creamy sauce.

Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

7) Bake to Perfection

Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish (if your skillet isn’t oven safe). Spread it out evenly.

Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 20 minutes until the edges bubble and the sauce thickens beautifully.

8) Add the Crunchy Topping

Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with French fried onions or crispy shallots, then add the remaining bacon.

Return to the oven for another 5 to 7 minutes until the topping is golden and crunchy.

9) Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle on fresh parsley or thyme if you want extra color and brightness.

And yes, go ahead and take a deep breath — it smells even better than you imagined.

💡 Pro Tips for Best Results

• Make it ahead: You can assemble up to step 6, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake when ready and add the crunchy topping at the end so it stays crisp.
• Shortcut: Frozen green beans work fine if you thaw and drain them first.
• Cheesy variation: Add 1 cup grated sharp cheddar for ultra creamy goodness.
• Richer flavor: Use a splash of white wine in the sauce with the broth.
• Herb boost: Fresh thyme or rosemary complements the bacon and mushrooms.

🍽 What to Serve With This

This bacon loaded green bean casserole pairs beautifully with classic holiday mains:

• Roasted turkey or chicken
• Honey glazed ham
• Prime rib or beef roast
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Cranberry sauce or fruit chutney
• Dinner rolls or cornbread

It truly complements a wide range of festive meals and elevates every plate it touches.

❤️ Why You Will Love This

This is not your average green bean casserole. It’s loaded with flavor and textures, salty smoky bacon, rich creamy sauce, crisp vegetables, and a crunchy topping that makes every bite magical.

Whether you’re hosting friends, cooking for family, or feeding a crowd at a New Year celebration, this dish delivers joy on a plate.

Many classic recipes fall flat, but this one stands proud and earns its place on any holiday table. It solves the age-old problem of green bean casserole being bland or boring. Instead you get big flavor, warm comfort, and satisfying crunch.

📌 Pinterest & Sharing Tips

This casserole is exactly the kind of recipe that ranks insanely on Pinterest, rich, comforting, visually beautiful, and holiday-ready. When you pin it:

• Use a bright, vertical photo that shows the creamy sauce and crunchy topping.
• Include keywords like New Year side dish, holiday casserole, bacon green bean casserole, and easy party recipe in the pin description.
• Add short, enticing copy like Perfect for your New Year dinner table or A crowd pleasing holiday side dish.

If you want to follow my Pinterest recipes and inspiration board for holiday meals and party dishes, check out wellnesswarrior lots of delicious ideas waiting!

🙌 Final Thoughts

If you are planning a New Year celebration, holiday dinner, or special family gathering this year, this bacon loaded green bean casserole should be on the menu. It brings depth of flavor, comforting creaminess, and irresistible crunch to every bite.

I love hearing how your recipes turn out — let me know in the comments how this one went for you. Tag your photos on Pinterest or Instagram so we can admire your creation!

Happy cooking and Happy New Year! 🎉

Warmly,
Your friend in the kitchen!

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