Green Bean Casserole with TPJ Heat

Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving regular for many families, and most of those families use the same recipe each year, the classic Campbells Soup recipe.

Here at Texas Pepper Jelly, we like green bean casserole, too, but we make it just a little differently. We add the heat!

Why is green bean casserole a thing?

This casserole has been around for over 50 years. It started in the Campbell’s Soup home economics department. And it has become a staple of many holiday and family get-togethers.

Why is it a thing? It’s easy.

It’s relatively inexpensive to make.

Most families have the needed ingredients (to make the basic recipe) such as green beans and cream of mushroom soup in their pantries.

How to make TPJ green bean casserole?

The recipe we share is a very common recipe. However, we add our Texas Pepper Jelly to it for some added signature TPJ heat. The habanero in our jelly is just the right amount for this dish. It helps reinvent this classic side dish.

We chose to use the Pineapple Habanero jelly in our lineup, but you are welcome to use any jelly flavor you prefer.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 10 3/4 oz can Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 cup milk or cream
• 1/2 cup finely diced onions
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
• 4 slices crisp bacon
• 1/4 cup Texas Pepper Jelly Pineapple Habanero
• 1/4 cup shredded pineapple (canned is fine)
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• dash black pepper
• dash salt
• 4 cups cooked cut green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned; just be sure they’re cooked and well-drained!)
• butter
• 1 1/3 cups French’s French Fried Onions (hold back 1/2 cup for topping)

Making the side dish:

Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with butter. Be sure to coat the entire inside of the dish.

Heat your oven to 350° F.

Put everything except the 1/2 cup of french fried onions into the large buttered casserole dish and mix thoroughly.

You’ll find that the hardest part of making green bean casserole is waiting for it to bake. It will take about 40 minutes in total.

How long to bake green bean casserole?

Bake for about a half-hour at 350° F. Watch the casserole carefully; when it begins to bubble, open the oven and stir thoroughly. Bake for another ten minutes.

Remove from oven, and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of french fried onions over the top. Return to oven for about five more minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.

Serve hot or cold. We prefer the green bean casserole to be hot, but there are many people that like it cold.

How to make green bean casserole with fresh green beans?

If you use fresh green beans, you’ll need to cook them thoroughly before using them in your casserole. We usually just use canned; it’s easier and faster and most people don’t notice the difference.

The bonus to using fresh green beans is you can’t beat the crispiness of fresh vegetables in any recipe.

Once your beans are cooked, add them to the recipe just like you would if they were canned.

On a side note, if you are wanting to use frozen green beans you’ll want to let them thaw before adding them to your dish. Be sure to plan for the needed thawing time if using frozen.

What main dish goes well with green bean casserole?

The great thing about this casserole recipe is that it is great any time of the year and with pretty much any main dish. It is prepared more frequently during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but that shouldn’t stop you from making it for your summer meals, too. Especially since it can be served chilled.

If you are looking for a main dish to go with your casserole how about grilled chicken, smoked ham, or a brisket. You can even serve this side dish with baked salmon or pork chops.

If you are serving green beans with a dish, use this recipe instead. Kick up your meal and serve this in place of those plain beans. Your family and guests will be happy you did!