Ham and Cheese Green Bean Casserole

Prep 40 min
Total 1 hr 15 min
Servings 12

With all due respect to the old-school classic, this Ham and Cheese Green Bean Casserole, tested to perfection in the Betty Crocker Kitchens, is ready to take the crown as the best holiday side dish you’ll ever make. Here’s why: the velvety cheese sauce is made with half-and-half, cream cheese, cheddar and broth, so it’s not just rich, it has serious depth of flavor. Added to the mix is savory chopped ham and fresh green beans, which hold their shape when baked, and add toothsome texture to the dish. The one thing we haven’t changed, and would never change—those delectable French-fried onions—adding an irresistible crispy crunch on top! If you’ve ever dreamed of eating green bean casserole for dinner—and honestly, if you haven’t, we’ve got other recipes for you—make it happen with this upgraded classic that’s way too good to save only for the holiday season!

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated October 9, 2019

Make with

Gold Medal Flour

Ingredients

1

container (2.8 oz) French-fried onions
6

cups water
2

lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths
1/4

cup butter
1/4

cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1/2

teaspoon salt
1

cup Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1

cup half-and-half
4

oz cream cheese
2

cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1

cup finely chopped cooked ham

Steps

1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. Reserve 1/2 cup French-fried onions for topping.
2

In 4- to 5-quart saucepan, heat 6 cups water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add green beans. Cook 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; drain, and place green beans back into pan; set aside.
3

Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add flour and salt; stir with whisk or fork until blended. Gradually stir in broth and half-and-half; cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until smooth, bubbly and sauce thickens. Remove from heat. Add cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; stir until cheeses are melted. Stir in remaining French-fried onions and the ham.
4

Pour cheese mixture over green beans; stir to coat. Spread mixture in baking dish. Top with reserved 1/2 cup French-fried onions.
5

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

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For an even quicker prep, opt for already cleaned, bagged green beans. Or trim and cut the green beans the day before preparing this recipe, and store beans refrigerated in a resealable food-storage plastic bag.
When purchasing fresh green beans, look for beans that are firm, have a vibrant green color and are free from brown spots or bruises. Store beans unwashed in resealable food-storage plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Fresh green beans should be used within 7 days.
If you’re trying to avoid canned cream of mushroom soup, one of the ingredients that’s used in the traditional Green Bean Casserole, this recipe is the answer. Its sauce starts with a mixture of flour and butter to which half-and-half and broth are added. After removing from heat, cream cheese and cheddar are swirled in for a totally deluxe cheese sauce that’s got all the texture (and then some) canned cream of mushroom lends to the original dish. It’s so good, we’d probably eat it on just about anything!
Can’t take a risk on changing up a traditional dish at the holidays? We understand—every family has their favorites. We’d suggest making the original Green Bean Casserole for the feast and trying out this dish for a lower-stakes dinner. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a main course, especially with a side of mashed taters, and it’s a good way to use up leftover holiday ham. (Besides, if your experience is anything like ours, you might find a test run is all that’s needed to get the resounding approval to change up next year’s holiday menu!)

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 270
Calories from Fat: 180

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 20g; 31%
Saturated Fat 11g 53% Trans Fat 1 1/2g
Cholesterol: 55mg; 18%
Sodium: 600mg; 25%
Potassium: 270mg; 8%
Total Carbohydrate: 12g; 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9% Sugars 4g
Protein: 10g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 20%; 20%
Vitamin C: 8%; 8%
Calcium: 20%; 20%
Iron: 8%; 8%

Exchanges:

1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;