If you are craving a comfort food dish that hits all the right notes of creamy, cheesy, and buttery goodness, this Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Combining tender green beans with a luscious cheddar soup base and a golden biscuit topping inspired by Red Lobster’s famous cheddar bay biscuits, this casserole is bursting with flavor in every bite. It’s the perfect dish to share with family and friends during any cozy gathering, and it manages to be both indulgent and comforting without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this unforgettable Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe, you only need a handful of simple yet essential ingredients. Each one contributes to the dish’s perfect balance of texture, taste, and vibrant color, making the preparation straightforward and the end result sensational.
- Frozen cut green beans: Using thawed green beans keeps the dish fresh-tasting and provides the classic green bean texture.
- Condensed cheddar soup: Acts as the creamy, cheesy base that binds all the flavors together beautifully.
- Milk: Balances the richness of the soup with a smooth, silky consistency.
- Dehydrated minced onion: Adds a subtle onion flavor without any extra chopping required.
- Italian seasoning: Brings depth with herbs that perfectly complement the cheddar and green beans.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the other flavors.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Provides sharpness and melty cheesiness in the casserole and biscuit topping.
- Shredded parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, savory layer to the cheese blend in the main casserole.
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: The secret to that iconic biscuit topping that crowns the casserole with buttery, cheesy perfection.
- Butter: Melted and brushed on top with seasoning to give the final touch of moisture and flavor.
How to Make Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it will be just right when you’re ready to bake your casserole to golden perfection.
Step 2: Prepare the Green Bean Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the thawed green beans with the condensed cheddar soup, milk, dehydrated minced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well so the green beans get fully coated in the creamy, flavorful sauce.
Step 3: Add the Cheese
Next, stir in the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese. This step is key because the cheeses melt into the green bean mix, creating those rich cheesy pockets throughout the casserole.
Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to ensure your casserole won’t stick and will slide out easily when it’s time to serve.
Step 5: Add the Green Bean Mixture
Pour the cheesy green bean mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly to form the base of your casserole masterpiece.
Step 6: Make the Biscuit Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix with shredded cheddar cheese and milk, stirring until there are no large lumps. This batter is going to rise to fluffy, golden heights as it bakes on top.
Step 7: Top the Green Beans with Biscuit Mix
Pour the biscuit batter evenly over your green bean mixture, covering the entire surface to make sure every bite gets that delightful biscuit topping.
Step 8: Bake
Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is irresistibly golden brown and cooked through.
Step 9: Add Butter and Seasoning
Once baked, mix the melted butter with the seasoning packet from the biscuit mix, then brush this flavor-packed mixture over the hot biscuit topping. This is what seals in the signature Cheddar Bay flavor.
Step 10: Rest the Casserole
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes so the butter can soak in and the casserole can set slightly before serving.
How to Serve Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
To add a fresh pop, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or chives over the baked casserole before serving. Not only does this brighten the look, but it also adds a subtle herbal note that complements the rich flavors wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted meats like chicken or pork. It’s also a fantastic companion to mashed potatoes or a simple crisp salad to balance out the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, consider serving the casserole in individual ramekins for personal portions. You can also add a twist by sprinkling some crispy bacon or toasted almonds on top before baking for extra texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just cover it tightly to keep the biscuit topping from becoming soggy.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well. Place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze before baking, then bake directly from frozen by adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through — about 20 to 25 minutes. If the biscuit topping loses its crispness, a quick broil for a couple of minutes will bring it back to life.
FAQs
Can I use fresh green beans instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh green beans can be lightly steamed before mixing with the other ingredients. Just make sure to drain them well to avoid extra moisture in the casserole.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Yes, this Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe is naturally vegetarian as long as the biscuit mix and cheese do not contain animal rennet. Check your ingredients to be sure.
Can I make the biscuit topping gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, look for a gluten-free cheddar biscuit mix or substitute with a gluten-free biscuit or biscuit-style topping alternative that bakes well.
What can I substitute for the cheddar soup?
You can substitute with homemade cheese sauce made from butter, milk, flour, and shredded cheddar for a fresher taste. It will still give that creamy cheesy base the casserole needs.
How spicy is this casserole?
This casserole is mild and family-friendly. The seasoning adds savory warmth, but it is not spicy. You can add a pinch of cayenne if you want a subtle kick.
Final Thoughts
This Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe is the kind of dish that feels like a warm, comforting hug on a plate. It’s easy enough to whip up on a weeknight but festive enough to bring to your holiday table. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s such a beloved classic, especially when you want to impress without stress. So go ahead and treat yourself and your loved ones to this creamy, cheesy, and buttery casserole—you won’t regret a single bite!
Print
Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A creamy, cheesy Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole featuring tender green beans baked under a golden biscuit topping made from Red Lobster-inspired cheddar bay biscuit mix. This comforting casserole blends savory cheddar and parmesan cheeses with a flavorful biscuit crust for the perfect family-style side dish.
Ingredients
Green Bean Mixture
- 26 oz frozen cut green beans, thawed
- 10.5 oz condensed cheddar soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup dehydrated minced onion
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Biscuit Topping
- 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (including seasoning packet)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare the Green Bean Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed green beans, condensed cheddar soup, 1/2 cup milk, dehydrated minced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
- Add the Cheese: Stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese evenly into the green bean mixture.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add the Green Bean Mixture: Pour the cheese and green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Make the Biscuit Topping: In a separate mixing bowl, pour the biscuit mix along with the included Cheddar Bay seasoning packet. Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 2 cups milk, stirring until the batter is smooth and free of large lumps.
- Top the Green Beans with Biscuit Mix: Pour the biscuit batter evenly over the green bean mixture in the baking dish, covering it completely.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the biscuit topping cooks through and turns golden brown.
- Add Butter and Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the reserved Cheddar Bay seasoning packet. Once the casserole is out of the oven, brush this flavorful butter mixture evenly over the biscuit topping.
- Rest the Casserole: Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes so the butter mixture can soak into the biscuit crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy this creamy, cheesy Cheddar Bay Green Bean Casserole as a delightful side dish.
Notes
- Thaw the frozen green beans before preparing to ensure even cooking.
- Use the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix and seasoning packet for authentic flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier topping, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the biscuit batter.
- This casserole pairs well with roasted chicken or grilled meats.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk options.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
