Making Green Bean Casserole in the Microwave: A Fast and Easy Holiday Side

Green bean casserole is a staple at holiday dinners for good reason – it’s creamy, hearty comfort food at its finest. But who has time to slave away in the kitchen on Thanksgiving or Christmas day? That’s where the microwave comes in handy! Believe it or not, you can make a delicious green bean casserole entirely in the microwave in just 15 minutes Keep reading to learn how

Why Make It in the Microwave?

Cooking green bean casserole in the microwave offers a few advantages

• It’s incredibly fast. You can have this dish ready start to finish in only 15 minutes. No need to wait 45 minutes for the oven.

• Fewer dishes. With just a microwave-safe bowl or baking dish, you avoid all the extra prep bowls and pots.

• Portable and easy. Microwave cooking makes this recipe simple for college students in dorms or anyone with a small kitchen.

• Less energy used. Microwaves use less electricity than conventional ovens. It’s an eco-friendly option.

While the microwave version may differ slightly in texture from the classic baked one, it still captures all the delicious flavors we know and love. Give it a try for your next holiday meal!

Tips for Microwave Success

To make sure your microwave green bean casserole turns out tasty, keep these tips in mind:

• Use a microwave-safe baking dish. Glass or ceramic work best.

• Cut the green beans into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.

• Stir halfway through microwaving time to redistribute ingredients.

• Use a lower powered microwave if possible for more even results.

• Add a splash of milk or water if the sauce seems dry after microwaving.

• Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving so the heat distributes evenly.

• Take care when removing from microwave as the dish will be very hot!

Step-by-Step Microwave Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Without further ado, here is a simple recipe and instructions for making green bean casserole completely in the microwave:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup fried onions

Instructions:

1. Place green beans in a microwave-safe baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover with lid or plastic wrap, and microwave for 5 minutes until beans are fork tender.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine soup, milk, and black pepper. Microwave uncovered for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth.

3. Drain any water from beans and add soup mixture, stirring to coat beans evenly.

4. Re-cover dish and microwave for 8-10 minutes, stopping halfway to stir. Beans should be completely tender and sauce hot and bubbly.

5. Remove from microwave carefully with oven mitts. Stir gently, add fried onions on top and allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

And that’s all it takes! In just 15 quick minutes, you can have a hot, delicious green bean casserole to serve your hungry guests.

Microwave Modifications and Serving Suggestions

Once you get the basics down, feel free to modify the microwave green bean casserole recipe to suit your tastes:

• For a creamier sauce, use cream cheese or sour cream instead of milk.

• Add sliced mushrooms, diced onion, or slivered almonds along with the beans.

• Use French’s crunchy fried onions, homemade panko breadcrumbs, or crushed potato chips for different toppings.

• Stir in shredded cheddar or Swiss for cheesy beans.

• Season with thyme, rosemary, sage, or other herbs for extra flavor.

• For special diets, use mushroom broth instead of soup and coconut milk instead of dairy milk.

Serve microwave green bean casserole piping hot on its own or with roast turkey, ham, or chicken. The flavors complement almost any main dish! Maintaining the side dish tradition doesn’t have to be difficult – this microwave hack makes it so easy.

Common Microwave Green Bean Casserole Questions

If you’re new to microwave cooking, here are answers to some common questions about this easy recipe:

Should I use fresh or frozen green beans? Either works fine! Just thaw frozen beans before starting. Fresh may need a minute or two longer to cook.

Can I prepare this casserole in advance? You can microwave the beans and sauce separately up to 2 days ahead but should combine and bake with onions just before serving.

How do I know when it’s done? Beans should be fork tender and sauce hot, bubbling, and thickened. Total microwave time is 15-20 minutes including standing time.

What if my microwave wattage is different? Cook times may vary slightly. Watch closely and adjust cooking time up or down if needed.

Can I use vegan cream soup? Yes! Vegan condensed mushroom or celery soup works great for plant-based diets.

Enjoy a Classic Holiday Side Without the Hassle

Part of what makes green bean casserole so enjoyable is that it’s carefree comfort food. By making it in the microwave, you can minimize time spent cooking while still enjoying all the creamy, crunchy goodness. Try this fast recipe and see for yourself how easy holiday sides can be. Just make sure to go light on the turkey and heavy on the green bean casserole!