Cheesy Gooey Green Bean Casserole

Hello, everyone~ I made a Cheesy Gooey Green Bean Casserole modeled after Mama's Green Bean Casserole, My Way. I didn't quite make it her way, but this cheesy casserole is definitely Mama approved~ Major changes I made include (1) roughly chopping the sauteed veggies (because I eat mushrooms best when I can barely see them ), (2) using frozen green beans instead of canned (as my family, especially Mama, prefers fresh and frozen these days), (3) adding garlic cloves and garlic seasonings (the garlic and onion combo made the kitchen smell divine~), and (4) using a smaller 6 by 9" baking dish lined with foil.  Unfortunately, our oven is broken, so as per usual, my casserole was baked in our Cuisinart 1800W 4lb Air Fryer Toaster Oven. 

Cheesy Gooey Green Bean Casserole

1 large onion, roughly chopped

1/2 cup mushrooms, roughly chopped

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

2 (15-16 oz) bags of frozen Green Beans, steamed in microwave and drained (I used 1 bag French cut & 1 bag whole cut)

2 cans (10.3/4 0z.) cream of chicken soup

1 package (2.8 oz.) Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Recipe Pieces

1 package Southern Mills Cheddar Cheese Sauce Mix + 1 cup water  or  1 cup prepared cheese sauce  

1 (6oz.) canister French Fried Onions, divided in half (I sadly couldn't find the cheesy ones Mama liked)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 

4 tablespoon butter, melted (divided 1 and 3)

1/2 cup cheddar cheese (mild the way Mama likes)

Prep: Line 6 by 9" baking dish with foil. Prepare frozen green beans as instructed on their bags. Drain and set aside. [I let mine drain on paper towels.] Prepare butter and cheese sauce. [Follow instructions on cheese mix if you want. Personally, I microwaved water for 2 minutes before mixing cheese mix into it. By the time I was ready to use the cheese mix, it had thickened up quite nicely.] Set them aside as well.

Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms with 1 tablespoon of butter until tender. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl mix green beans, onions/mushroom/garlic mixture, and bacon bits.

Add soups, cheese sauce, and 1/2 of French Fried Onions. Mix well. Add seasonings and the remaining 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Bake at 300 for 25 minutes. [Note: As toaster ovens sometimes cook faster than traditional ones, you may need to place tented foil on top of the casserole.]

Top with cheese and the remaining French Fried Onions, and cook 5 more minutes. 

I was intimidated going into making this, but it was definitely worth the effort. My family absolutely loved my Cheesy Gooey Green Bean Casserole~ We ate it for dinner with salmon baked by my brother in the same toaster oven.