The Best Green Bean Casserole

This Green Bean Casserole is vegan, but don't let that sway you. This is, in my humble opinion, the best way to make a holiday Green Bean Casserole. Dairy-free. Loaded with fresh vegetables (not canned) and yet still crazy easy. This creamy casserole side dish is ridiculously delicious and don't forget - deliciously decadent.

My Green Bean Casserole has the classic flavors of mushroom, crispy onion, cream and pepper and adds in a hint of Parmesan and thyme. Watch out stuffing, the holidays have a brand new fave side dish on the plate...

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Truth be told, I have never tasted a classic Green Bean Casserole. My family just didn't serve that dish during the holidays. Sure, I remember seeing it on the table when we went over to relatives homes for some Thanksgiving meals, but it just looked like a mushy bowl of something green and creamy with crispy something on top. I didn't have a clue. Then I became a blogger and all anyone ever asks me this fall + winter holiday time of year is if I have a Green Bean Casserole dish to share. Well a long afternoon in the kitchen and boom! I do!

Fun Green Bean Casserole Fact! "The green bean casserole was first created in 1955 by the Campbell Soup Company." So you can understand why "cream of mushroom" soup is a classic main ingredient. but luckily, those same creamy mushroom flavors can be achieved without actual dairy cream. Or a can of soup! Yay cashews. (Or cauliflower...)

Don't judge, I may have slightly burnt the top crispy onions because I was .... wait for it ... choosing a GIF to reply to someone. Sorry. But it still tasted perfect, so...

Creamy Green Bean Casserole

The creaminess was something I really wanted to nail for this recipe. And one of my favorite entrees to make for dinner is a vegan pot pie using creamy cashews as the base. So I knew that was what I wanted to play around with. I didn't soak my cashews because around the holidays... who has time for soaking cashews for a side dish! Maybe for your perfect pumpkin pie, but that's another story.

This dish reminds me of my pot pies. And if you have ever tried those and love them - you will adore this recipe.

Snag more of my Thanksgiving Recipes.

The Cheese

After doing some research, I realized that the classic cheese to use in a Green Bean Casserole is cheddar. Wait, what? that just doesn't make sense to me. Sorry. Cheddar is such a strong, over-powering flavor. Cheddar is something I usually pair with heavily starchy things. Like bread - grilled cheese. Or baked potatoes. Even something earthy like vegan chili. But delicate green beans and unami-ish mushrooms I just wouldn't pair with cheddar. So what cheese would I use? A sharp, perky white cheese. Parmesan. Even Provolone or a smooth and melty mozzarella.

I chose to use Parmesan. My favorite cheese to pair with mushrooms and veggies. And it worked so well. A tiny bit went a long way so I didn't need to overpower the dish with cheese.

Nut-Free Version?

In my cream of mushroom soup recipe, I actually used cauliflower to cream the creaminess. So while I have not tested it, I am sure you could sub steamed cauliflower for the cashews. I would reduce the veggie broth and maybe add in a bit more EVOO, but it should be doable. Maybe next time I will experiment with cauliflower, but for now I am loving this creamy cashew version.

Classic Elements of a Green Bean Casserole

So those crispy onions on top are not terribly healthy, but oh well. They add that classic oniony flavor and that crispy texture you need with all that creaminess. And for the mushrooms, instead of a cream of mushroom soup, I simply used fresh mushrooms. Same for the green beans. No cans in this recipe! Quick chop some washed green beans and you are good to go.

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