These Cheesy French Onion Green Beans are a flavorful twist on the classic green bean casserole. Whether you’re entertaining for Friendsgiving, attending a family gathering, or bringing something to your office potluck, this is the portable side dish you need to bring!
Don’t show up to a holiday shindig empty handed!
Showing up with a lackluster passing dish for your Friendsgiving feast, family gathering, or office potluck just isn’t going to cut it this year. Bring a side dish that has main course potential! These rich and flavorful Cheesy French Onion Green Beans should do the trick.
Out with the Classic Green Bean Casserole!
Green bean casserole just doesn’t excite me anymore. Sure, it’s delicious (and a classic), but I’m ready for something a little more sophisticated than the cream-heavy dish for my holiday contribution this year. That’s why I’ve decided to give my green beans a cheesy, melty makeover with slow-cooked sweet onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese.
I have always loved the rich and complex flavor of French Onion Soup, but as a vegetarian, it’s something I don’t get to eat unless I make it myself. When I was working on my new and improved green bean recipe, the flavors of French Onion Soup seemed like the perfect solution. The traditional beef broth is easily swapped for vegetable stock while the green beans are sturdy enough to hold up to a layer of melted cheese. It was the perfect portable side dish to impress my family and feed my fellow vegetarian friends!
Cook Now, Serve Later
What I love most about this side dish is how versatile it can be. You can slow cook the onions and mushrooms while you boil or steam the green beans, then you toss the two together and pop it in the refrigerator until you are ready to melt the cheese. If you are taking this dish to a Friendsgiving gathering or office potluck, it’s as easy as layering cheese on your precooked veggies and heating at your destination.
Easy Cheesy French Onion Green Beans
I also really love using fresh green beans in steamable bags. They are super simple to cook and there is no need to snip the ends so it really cuts down on the amount of time you spend slaving over a stove. Not to mention fewer dishes to do.
The only part of this recipe that takes a little TLC is caramelizing the onions, but trust me, it’s worth it. You can’t rush the process because the onions will burn in the blink of an eye, so low and slow is key. Keep your heat to medium-low and stir them frequently to cook evenly. Once they are soft and brown, add in your mushrooms and sauté them just until soft. Then you are ready to assemble your dish.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 2 medium Sweet Onions, sliced
- 1 cup Sliced Mushrooms
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1.5 lb Green Beans
- 2 tsp Salt
- 8 slices Provolone Cheese
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella, shredded
- Fresh Thyme to garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the butter and sliced onions over medium-low heat to caramelize. Approximately 20 minutes.
- While the onions are cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add green beans and cook until soft, about 6-8 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- Once the onions are soft and deep brown, add sliced mushrooms and sauté until soft.
- Pour the vegetable broth and heavy cream into the onion mixture and turn heat to medium.
- Simmer for five minutes, then remove from heat.
- Arrange the green beans in a 2 qt baking dish and sprinkle with salt.
- Cover with sautéed onion mixture and top with shredded mozzarella and provolone slices.
- Bake at 375ºF until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with fresh thyme.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: Utilize steamable bags of fresh green beans for a quick and easy side dish hack!

As you can see, this isn’t your traditional green bean casserole! Give the condensed soup can a break this year and opt for these light and flavorful Cheesy French Onion Green Beans instead. Your guests will love it and your vegetarian friends will be thankful for a meat-free side!
We hope you enjoy these Cheesy French Onion Green Beans from SoFabFood Home Chef, Liz from Inspector Gorgeous, as much as we do. If you love this recipe, you can find more like it by visiting our Side Dish Section. For daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply