12 Green bean casserole variations (onion rings, mac & cheese, au gratin...)

Even though they are a Thanksgiving staple, sometimes you want some new green bean casserole ideas. A unique version is perfect for a Friendsgiving too.

I've collected over a dozen different green bean casserole variations.

• Toppings: use onion rings, tater tots, or a cobbler
• Mix it up: combine it with a corn casserole or mac & cheese
• Saucy: add gorgonzola cheese, use a french onion soup base, make it au gratin
• Spicy: flavor it with cajun spices, jalapenos, or cook it in a smoker

This collection links to all of the recipe ideas that I've found. You can use them as written or rely on them for inspiration. If one of them uses cream of mushroom soup and you want to make your own, do it! If a recipe calls for canned green beans and you want to use fresh - just blanch them for 5 minutes.

For starters, I have classic green bean casserole recipe using fresh green beans and homemade sauce. I also have instructions on a make-ahead green bean casserole from scratch. If you're looking for a recipe from scratch, start there, then layer in these variations.

If you need help figuring out how much to make, visit my guide on green bean casserole serving sizes.

1. Green bean casserole with onion rings or tater tots

Another couple of easy ideas for your green bean casserole this year: top it with onion rings or tater tots.

You can make your own onion rings or buy some in the freezer section of your grocery store. This recipe from Simply Scratch walks you through making your own, or follow the recipe from Foodie Crush to use frozen. Frozen ones are partially baked first, then added to the casserole for the final bake.

Tater tots are a favorite Midwestern casserole staple, so why not add them to the top of your green bean casserole? I found a few recipes for this idea, however they all include ground beef as well. Could be a fun take, or just leave it out for a more classic version.

Get the tater tot recipe from Mom of Timeout.

2. Mixed with a corn casserole

Some Thanksgiving dinners include a corn casserole, or even homemade creamed corn. But I really like the idea of combining the two into this cheese variation of a green bean casserole.

The recipe calls for cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom and it also includes sour cream. A cup of cheese is sprinkled on top along with crumbled cheese crackers (like Cheez-Its).

Get the recipe from Julie's Eats & Treats, along with make ahead instructions.

3. Au gratin variation

This would be a fun green bean casserole variation to bring to a friendsgiving. It still fills the green bean slot at the table, but with a unique enough twist to make it fun.

Green beans are still mixed with a creamy base. However, instead of mushrooms, the sauce is flavored with caramelized onions. The French fried onions are replaced with cheesy bread crumbs.

Get the recipe from Sungrown Kitchen.

4. Southern green bean casserole topped with stuffing

This green bean casserole variation can be made for Thanksgiving, but I have two other suggestions instead.

Because it's combining two common side dishes, I think it's best to make outside of Thanksgiving (when you're craving these types of recipes), or as a way to use up leftovers.

I feel like there is rarely green bean casserole leftovers after Thanksgiving. At least not more than a bite or two per person. My guess is people don't make giant batches of the casserole, instead opting for double batches of stuffing or mashed potatoes.

If you enjoy a good green bean casserole, consider making one ahead of time and leaving it in your fridge. Then top it with leftover stuffing and bake it up on Friday.

Get the recipe from Blackberry Babe.

5. Cheesy bacon green bean casserole

What recipe doesn't benefit from a little cheese and bacon? Adding them both to a green bean casserole might even turn skeptics into fans. Or at least get them to try it!

If you're making a green bean casserole from scratch, you can stir the Parmesan cheese in at the end of making the mushroom sauce. You could also use the rendered bacon fat from cooking in place of butter when making the mushroom sauce.

Get the recipe from Lemons & Zest.

6. BBQ green bean casserole

This green bean casserole idea offers an alternative to the other butter and cream-heavy dishes like sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes.

Green beans are mixed with BBQ sauce instead of a mushroom sauce. A little bacon is added, along with the standard French fried onions. The recipe also calls for canned green beans, but you could easily substitute in fresh, blanched green beans.

Get the recipe from Practically Homemade.

7. French onion soup-inspired

Instead of using fried onions for the topping, this recipe mixes caramelized onions into the green beans. In fact, it's a very easy recipe that simplifies your Thanksgiving day cooking.

Start with an oven-proof skillet and caramelize onions in some butter, on the stove top. Then you make a sauce with the caramelized onions and some beef broth, rather than heavy cream.

The green beans are simmered with the sauce (rather than separately blanching like other recipes). And finally, the casserole is topped with cheese and baked until bubbly.

It really is a perfect marriage between green bean casserole and French onion soup and I'm here for it! Get the recipe from Domestikated Life.

8. Smoked green bean casserole

If you're hosting Thanksgiving, fire up your smoker and make this variation. If you're going to use a smoker, consider making your turkey in it. It produced one of the best turkey's I've ever had along with an incredible gravy (using applewood chips).

I found two recipes you can try. The one from Gimme Some Grilling uses the standard cream of mushroom soup base with French fried onions, but it's also topped with cheddar cheese. It's baked in the smoker for 45 minutes.

The other one takes a more 'from scratch' approach from the side Hey Grill Hey. The mushroom sauce and onions are both homemade.

And if you plan to fire up a smoker, they make a good turkey! One of the best I've ever had.

• Get the recipe from Gimme Some Grilling (and check out the smoked turkey recipe too).
• Or the homemade version from Hey Grill Hey.

9. Gorgonzola green bean casserole

For those of you who love a good blue cheese, you should definitely try this green bean casserole variation from The Thirsty Feast. Gorgonzola cheese is added to the sauce, lending it's distinct, funky flavor.

The recipe uses fresh green beans, makes a sauce from scratch, and tops it with breadcrumbs and pecans instead of fried onions. Get the recipe from The Thirsty Feast.

If you don't like gorgonzola cheese, try this other unique idea from Modern Eats Farmhouse. She uses Parmesan cheese and rosemary in the sauce.

10. Creole, Cajun, and spicy variations

We can look for the flavors of Louisiana for some spicy green bean casserole variations. Creole and Cajun cuisines are closely related and are popular in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.

The Creole version includes some andouille sausage and uses the popular Tony Chachere's seasoning (often found in red beans & rice recipes). It also includes pimentos and jack cheese. Get the recipe from Southern Bite (also pictured above).

The Cajun version uses a base of celery, onions, and bell peppers (a Cajun base used for stews like jambalaya or gumbo). It also includes hot sauce since Cajun dishes are usually spicier and more boldly flavored than Creole (which has a stronger French influence). Get the recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

Lastly, if you like the idea of a spicy green bean casserole but you're not looking for Creole or Cajun flavoring, you can just add jalapenos and some cayenne pepper.

This version from The Table of Spice uses fried jalapenos (they are just like French's fried onions and bought in stores). But you could also add freshly sliced (or diced) jalapenos in with the sauce.

11. Green bean cobbler

I think this is a really fun idea for a green bean casserole, even for Thanksgiving. Instead of a crispy-onion topping, you make a more biscuity-cobbler topping.

Outside of thanksgiving, I think it might even be interesting to make a green bean casserole that is served over biscuits (like biscuits and gravy).

Get the recipe from Food Network.

12. Make it a mac & cheese casserole

There are a lot of green bean casseroles with cheese, but this idea takes it a step further and makes it into a mac & cheese dish.

That's right - macaroni noodles are added along with the green beans. It's still topped with fried onions, because why would you skip that?!

Get the recipe from A Beautiful Mess.

A simple version (without mushrooms or fried onions)

Sometimes simpler is better, especially if your Thanksgiving menu has a lot of sides. This green bean casserole variation still uses a creamy sauce, flavored with some mustard and cheese instead of mushrooms.

The fried onions are also removed, but replaced with a top layer of cheese. The cheese melts and browns, similar to the top of a lasagna.

The simplicity of this green bean casserole version allows the green beans to shine. I'd recommend uses fresh green beans (blanched for 5 minutes) to highlight their flavor.

Get the recipe from Masala Herb.

More recipes & resources

Here are some more Thanksgiving recipe ideas and variations on the classics. And check out the produce & recipe guide for November for ideas throughout the rest of the month.