I’m Green Bean Casserole’s #1 fan.
It’s my favorite Thanksgiving side dish, and nothing even comes close to it. I’m a lover of the tried-and-true GBC recipe created by Dorcas Reilly in the 50s. I don’t think it needs any updates at all, it’s perfect just the way Dorcas intended.
That being said, there are a few modifications you can make to the original to take GBC to the next level. It’s brave messing with the original, I know, but two simple modifications can make it even better.
Those changes? Adding cheese into the mix and topping your green bean casserole with tater tots.
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Trust me on this one. It’s WELL worth it.
Green Bean Casserole is Born
Dorcas Reilly, who worked at Campbell’s test kitchen in the 40s and 50s, created the original green bean casserole we all know and love.
You need very few ingredients, just canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, some milk, seasonings, and French fried onions.
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It wasn’t an instant hit, but over the years, it gained a cult following. Over the last 20 or so years, it’s really made its mark on the Thanksgiving table. Most dinners include the casserole.
Love it or hate it, green bean casserole is here to stay.
Modifying the OG
I very rarely stray from the original green bean casserole recipe. I’ve made a few modifications over the years, including adding Trader Joe’s unexpected cheddar cheese (a favorite of mine) and frying my own shallots instead of using French fried onions. Those are nice modifications, but nothing really clicked until I made this recipe.
I decided to stray from the OG and do something truly unexpected: topping my green bean casserole with much more than just French fried onions.
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I topped every square inch of this casserole with tater tots.
When I tell you it was worth it, you better believe it. Holy cow, this really elevated Dorcas’ invention and made it even better.
A layer of gooey cheese under the tater tots is absolutely necessary for this recipe, too. It adds flavor and makes this green bean casserole even better.
SEE ALSO: Fully Loaded Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
Give it a shot at Thanksgiving and tell me what you think. You might just start using this recipe as the new normal at holidays from now on!
Tater Tot Topped Green Bean Casserole
A new twist on the classic Green Bean Casserole that uses a lot of cheese and tater tots.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine soup, milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir together until well combined.
- Stir in green beans and half a cup of French fried onions. Pour mixture into a large 13×9″ baking dish.
- Top green bean mixture with shredded mozzarella and cheddar, along with the remaining half a cup of French fried onions.
- Put frozen tater tots on top of casserole in a single layer, covering the entire top of the casserole.
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and tots are golden brown.
Tator Tots are the bomb. 💥
My fave!!