Green bean casserole is a quintessential holiday dish, often gracing tables during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and even summer gatherings. For those seeking a comforting, crowd-pleasing side dish, the Pioneer Woman’s Green Bean Casserole offers a delightful twist on the classic. This recipe, inspired by Ree Drummond, stands out by omitting mushrooms, making it perfect for mushroom skeptics, while adding a delicious depth of flavor with bacon or ham and a rich, cheesy sauce.
This homemade green bean casserole recipe elevates the traditional version, moving away from canned soups and embracing fresh ingredients. The Pioneer Woman’s approach results in a casserole that is both familiar and uniquely satisfying, perfect for any holiday feast or family dinner. If you’re looking to create a memorable green bean casserole, this Pioneer Woman inspired recipe is a must-try.
Pioneer Woman’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This recipe is adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook, offering a comforting and flavorful green bean casserole without mushrooms, but packed with bacon (or ham) and cheese.
Prep Time: 70 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Serves: 16 (small servings, ideal for holiday multi-course meals)
Ingredients:
For the Green Beans:
- 16 cups water
- 2 tablespoons table salt
- 2 – 3 pounds fresh green beans, stem ends trimmed, broken into 2-3 bite-size pieces
- Large bowl of ice water
For the Bacon or Ham & Onion:
- 4 slices bacon (Pioneer Woman’s choice) or 6 ounces ham (optional), diced
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cheesy Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 ounces cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or cotija)
- 4 ounces pimentos, drained and chopped
For Baking:
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (adjust to pan size)
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- 2-quart casserole dish
Instructions:
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Prepare the Green Beans: Bring water and salt to a boil in a large pot. Add green beans, cover, and cook for 6 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain beans in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water to stop cooking. Let drain completely. Spread beans in a single layer on paper towels and pat very dry.
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Cook Bacon or Ham & Onion: In the large skillet, cook bacon until crispy or ham until lightly browned. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until onions are golden and ham is slightly crisp. If skillet seems dry, add a splash of water. Transfer mixture to a bowl and set aside.
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Make the Cheesy Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over melted butter and whisk to combine. Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until smooth before each addition to prevent lumps. This step is crucial for a smooth sauce. Stir in kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add cheese and pimentos; stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
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Combine Ingredients: Stir the cooked green beans and bacon (or ham) and onion mixture into the cheesy sauce. Gently fold to coat all ingredients evenly. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
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Bake the Casserole: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle panko bread crumbs evenly over the casserole. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until bubbly and panko is golden brown. If panko isn’t browned enough, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
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Serving and Holding: Serve immediately for the best texture. To bake later, cover and refrigerate the unbaked casserole. Before baking, bring to room temperature and bake for 20-45 minutes depending on dish depth. To keep warm, cover with foil and hold in a 200°F (95°C) oven for up to an hour.
Pioneer Woman Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
Tips & Kitchen Notes from Alanna:
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Perfectly Cooked Green Beans: Salting the water generously is key to flavorful green beans. The proportion of 16 cups of water to 2 tablespoons of salt, inspired by another excellent recipe, ensures the beans are well-seasoned from the inside out. Don’t skimp on the salt!
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Snapping Green Beans Efficiently: To speed up prep, line up several green beans at the stem ends and snap them all at once. This is a simple trick to save time when working with a large quantity of beans.
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Bacon vs. Ham: The Pioneer Woman recipe originally calls for bacon, which adds a smoky flavor. However, ham offers a slightly different, more substantial taste, making it a great alternative if you prefer a less smoky casserole. Both options work wonderfully in this recipe.
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Sauce Consistency: This recipe yields a generous amount of cheesy sauce. If you prefer a casserole with a higher bean-to-sauce ratio, consider using 3 pounds of green beans as suggested. The original recipe’s sauce quantity might be ample to compensate for the absence of mushrooms, which typically absorb some sauce.
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Cheese Choice: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for the cheesy sauce. Sharp cheddar provides a classic flavor, while Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack will result in a milder, lighter color. For a unique twist, cotija cheese, a firm Mexican cheese, adds a salty and slightly tangy flavor. Any good melting cheese will work well.
Inspiration & Adaptation:
This recipe is lovingly adapted from Ree Drummond’s “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier” cookbook. Ree Drummond’s recipes are celebrated for their comforting, home-style approach, and this green bean casserole is no exception. Her cookbooks offer a treasure trove of recipes perfect for family meals and gatherings.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, approximately 16 servings):
- Calories: 139
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 29mg
- Sodium: 310mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 7g
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.
Enjoy More Holiday Recipes!
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Explore other casserole recipes like Sweet Potato Casserole, Spinach Casserole, and Yellow Summer Squash Casserole for more comforting and crowd-pleasing dishes.
This Pioneer Woman’s Green Bean Casserole is a fantastic addition to any holiday table or weeknight dinner. Its creamy, cheesy, and slightly smoky flavor profile, combined with crisp-tender green beans, makes it a guaranteed hit with family and friends. Enjoy!
