Clean Eating Green Bean Casserole Recipe (2024)

This healthy green bean casserole is the perfect healthy alternative to the traditional version of this recipe.

Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving tradition in many American homes. I don’t think I’ve been to a Thanksgiving dinner yet where this casserole was not part of the meal. The problem is, it’s always made with condensed, canned “cream of chemical” soup. And we won’t even talk about the french fried onions that are usually dumped by the boatload on top of what could be a very nutritious and still delicious side dish. Not wanting to leave this recipe unturned, I set to work and created this delicious healthy green bean casserole recipe!

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It’s a wonderful substitute that won’t leave you running for the gym right after dinner and nobody at my holiday table knew the difference. All they mentioned was how good it was. Now that’s my kind of Thanksgiving side dish!

It’s free ofstore-bought crispy onions, and nobody at my holiday table knew the difference. All they mentioned was how good it was. Now that’s my kind of Thanksgiving side dish!

How To Use Up Leftover Green Bean Casserole

There are a few tasty ways you can use up these leftovers.

• Make pasta– Cook noodles separately according to package directions. Put the green beans in a skillet with a little olive oilor grapeseed oil. Toss in some chopped onions, a few extra mushroomsif needed, and parmesan cheese. You can even mix in a little sour cream if you want something a bit creamier.
• Make a green bean grilled cheese sandwich– Simply make a grilled cheese as you normally would, but add some of this casserole to the middle. Best done with cheddar.
• Make “Auflauf”– A German idea that is basically “leftover casserole.” Yep, make a casserole from your casserole! Simply mix this with some rice and any other cooked, leftover ingredientsyou’d like to mix in. Transfer to an oiled casserole dish. Beat a couple of eggs in a bowl and pour the egg over the top of the casserole. Top with parmesan cheeseand bakeat 375 F. for about 40 minutes or until the egg is fully cooked through.
• Make soup– Give this soup fromJeanette’s Healthy Livinga try. Simply use the green bean casserole where her recipecalls for green beans. Easy!

Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

If you need this to be gluten-free, it’s a cinch! In place of flour, you can use arrowroot powder, so the only other change you’ll need to make is using gluten-free bread. My only suggestion is to make sure that it’s well-toasted so you get some crunch. Just keep in mind that store-bought, gluten-freebread uses processed carbohydrates. But if you have serious allergies or sensitivities, then it’s an easy alternative!

Mushroom Sauce

Campbell’s Soup now estimates that 40 percent of the Cream of Mushroom soupsold in the United States goes into making green bean casserole.

source

That’s a lot of canned soup!!

I’m not one to use canned soups though. I find them lacking in many ways. They have a chemical flavor to them and they are super high in sodium and preservatives. Ick.

So for this recipe, I made my homemade cream of mushroomsoup recipeahead of time and kept it in the freezer until I was ready to make this. Give it a try! It’s easy to make with simple ingredients.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

If you want this to be plant-based, you’ll want vegan bread and you’ll need to use vegetable brothfor making the mushroomsoup.

Ingredient Checklist

Crumb Topping Ingredients

Wholegrain bread– No sugar added.

Roasted almonds– These can be salted, but make sure they are not sweet.

Onionpowder– You can also use oniongranules.

Casserole Ingredients

Frozen green beans – You can use fresh green beans, but frozen is far more convenient. If using fresh, steam the green beans over medium heat. Drainoff any excess water and then place them in an even layeronthe bottom of your bakingpan.

Homemade cream of mushroom soup– warmed and thickened with 2 tbsp. whole wheat flouror 1 tbsp. arrowroot powder.

Cornstarch– If using whole wheat flour.

Salt and pepper – to taste at serving.

Optional Toppings

You can also sauté a few cloves of garlicand a couple of chopped shallotsin a large skillet. Cool them and then blend them in with the bread topping for extra flavor.

For garnish, you can sprinkle a few sliced almondsover the top.

How To Make Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Preheat ovento 350° F.

Place all topping ingredientsin a food processor and blend until you have a nice “crumby” texture. Set aside.

Prep the soup by simply warming it over medium-high heatand whisking in the flourand/or starch. Stirconstantly. The mixturewill thicken pretty quickly.

Place the frozen green beans in a baking dishand pour the soup on top.

Top with as much topping as you like (you don’t have to use it all, but you can).

Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping has a nice crunch to it.

Cool and serve.

How To Store Leftover Green Bean Casserole

The best way to store this is in airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.

Need Recipe Supplies?

Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor 1000-Peak-Watts with Auto-iQ Preset Programs Chop Puree Dough Slice Shred with a 9-Cup Capacity and a Silver Stainless Finish

Bakeware Set, Kook, Ceramic Baking Dish, Set of 3, Casserole Dish for cooking, Cake Dinner, Banquet and Daily Use (Aqua)

Serving Spoons x 3, Slotted Spoons x 3, AOOSY 8.7 inches Utility Advanced Performance Skimmer Perforated, 8 3/4″ Stainless Steel Serving Spoons Set for Buffet Can Banquet Cooking Kitchen Basics

More Healthy Recipes

• Cream Of Mushroom Soup
• Find all my Thanksgiving recipes here

Recipes Used

• Healthy Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe Card

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 11/16/2010.