Green Bean Casserole With Ritz (Print version)

Tender green beans in creamy mushroom sauce with buttery Ritz cracker topping

# What you'll need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

→ Sauce

02 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup sour cream
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Add-ins

09 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
10 - 1/2 cup French fried onions

→ Topping

11 - 1 sleeve (about 30 crackers) Ritz crackers, crushed
12 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fresh green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Skip this step if using canned beans.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until completely smooth and well combined.
04 - Add the prepared green beans, shredded cheddar cheese if using, and French fried onions to the sauce mixture. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed throughout the creamy sauce.
05 - Pour the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the mixture evenly, ensuring a uniform layer across the bottom of the dish.
06 - In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Mix thoroughly until all cracker crumbs are evenly coated with the butter and no dry spots remain.
07 - Sprinkle the butter-coated cracker crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
08 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly for easier serving.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • That impossibly crispy buttery topping creates the perfect contrast to tender beans in every single bite
  • It comes together in under an hour yet tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • This is the dish that actually makes people excited about eating their vegetables
02 -
  • Don't skip blanching fresh beans or they'll come out disappointingly tough in the final dish
  • The casserole needs at least 5 minutes of resting time or that sauce will be too runny when you serve it
03 -
  • Crush your crackers by hand rather than using a food processor for better texture variation
  • Use the back of a spoon to press the topping gently into the sauce so it sticks while baking

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