Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole – Easy Christmas Side Dish

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If you’re looking for an easy side dish to serve with Christmas dinner, this Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole is a great choice!

It has all the flavors of traditional green bean casserole, with tender green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions on top.

One of the best things about making green bean casserole in the slow cooker is that it frees up valuable oven space.

When you’re preparing a big holiday meal, having one less dish to worry about in the oven makes things so much easier!

This is a simple recipe that you can put together in just a few minutes and let your Crock Pot do the rest of the work.

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Ingredients

  • 4 cans (14.5 ounces each) cut green beans, drained
  • 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups French fried onions, divided

How to Make Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Drain the canned green beans and add them to your slow cooker.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Pour the soup mixture over the green beans and stir gently until everything is combined.

If you’re adding cheddar cheese, stir it in now.

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or HIGH for about 2 hours, until heated through and bubbly around the edges. Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker.

Stir in about 1/2 cup of the French fried onions during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking.

Sprinkle the remaining French fried onions over the top just before serving.

For the best crunchy topping, wait until you’re ready to serve before adding the final layer of fried onions.

Tips for Making Green Bean Casserole in the Crock Pot

Drain the green beans well. Too much extra liquid can make your casserole watery. Make sure to drain the canned green beans before adding them to the slow cooker.

Use frozen green beans. You can substitute frozen green beans if you prefer. Thaw and drain them before adding them to the Crock Pot.

Don’t add all the fried onions at once. The fried onions soften as they cook. Save most of them for the end so you still get that delicious crunchy topping.

Add cheese for extra flavor. A little shredded cheddar cheese makes this casserole extra creamy and delicious.

Keep it warm for serving. Once the casserole is fully cooked, you can use the warm setting to keep it ready for dinner. Add the crispy onions right before serving.

Can You Make Green Bean Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can mix together the green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings the night before. Store the mixture covered in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to cook, transfer everything to your slow cooker and follow the cooking instructions. You may need a little extra cooking time if the mixture is still cold.

Wait until the end to add the fried onions so they don’t become soggy.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

This easy side dish goes perfectly with a traditional Christmas dinner. Serve it alongside ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Here are a few more recipes from Creative Homemaking that would be delicious additions to your holiday menu:

Easy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes are a must-have for many holiday dinners. Making them in the slow cooker is another great way to save oven space.

Crock Pot Chex Mix

This crunchy, savory snack is perfect for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings.

Crock Pot Cranberry Butter

This sweet cranberry spread is a fun addition to your holiday breakfast table or a basket of warm dinner rolls.

15 Easy Christmas Appetizers

If you’re hosting Christmas dinner or a holiday party, you’ll find plenty of appetizer ideas to serve before the meal.

How to Store Leftover Green Bean Casserole

Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place it in an oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Add a few fresh French fried onions before serving to bring back some of that crispy texture.

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