Green bean casserole is a classic American dish that is often served as a side dish, particularly during christmas and other holiday gatherings. It typically consists of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. The dish is baked in the oven until it's hot and bubbly, with the fried onions providing a crunchy topping. Here's a basic recipe for traditional green bean casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1.5 to 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces (you can also use frozen green beans)
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups crispy fried onions (French's Fried Onions work well)
• Salt to taste (optional)
• Optional: 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese for added flavor

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Blanch the Green Beans:

• If using fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes. Then, immediately transfer them to ice water to stop the cooking process. If using frozen green beans, you can skip this step.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, black pepper, and salt (if using). Mix until well combined.

Add Green Beans:

• Add the blanched or frozen green beans to the mushroom soup mixture. If desired, add shredded cheddar cheese for extra flavor. Mix until the green beans are well-coated.

Transfer to Casserole Dish:

• Transfer the green bean mixture to a greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Top with Fried Onions:

• Sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the green bean mixture.

Bake in the Oven:

• Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the fried onions are golden brown.

Serve:

• Serve the green bean casserole hot as a side dish.