Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (Keto-Friendly)

This Cheesy Bean Casserole recipe takes the classic green bean casserole you grew up with and makes it low carb, gluten-free, and honestly… so much better. Fresh green beans get coated in a creamy sauce made with heavy cream and two kinds of cheese, then topped with crispy bacon and parmesan for a crispy topping that beats bread crumbs every single time. It’s the perfect holiday side dish for your Thanksgiving table, and it’s easy enough for a regular Tuesday family dinner too!

Originally posted September 2023, Updated August 2026

Keto Green Bean Casserole

Do you love the classic green bean casserole that shows up at every holiday meal? I do.. the canned cream of mushroom soup and the crispy fried onions are my FAVE. I love the classic dish! 

But if you want a low-carb version, I have good news… you can still have it, even while you’re living a low-carb lifestyle.

With just a few little swaps, you get a keto version that tastes every bit as good as the traditional version (and I’d argue it’s better, but I’m biased 🙂).

Let me say right up front, I’m not on a keto diet. I’ve cooked a whole lot of meals for my family over the years, and this one has nothing to do with a diet for me… I just love it.

The homemade creamy sauce is rich, the bacon on the top of the casserole is salty and crisp, and the whole thing disappears fast.

Why You’ll Love this Green Bean Casserole with Cheese and Bacon 

Fresh beans and a homemade creamy base. You really can’t beat the flavor and texture of fresh green beans, and this sauce (with no cream-of-anything soup!) is so good. It comes together on the stove in just a few minutes.

Cheese and bacon. Anything with cheese and bacon is a winner in my book, so this dish is no exception. Every bite is cheesy and indulgent and you’ll be going back for seconds (or thirds… no judgment here).

Keto-friendly, low carb, and gluten-free. For anyone watching their carb count, this is one of those keto recipes you can serve to guests without a single person noticing it’s a low carb recipe. And it’s gluten-free, so you’re covered there too.

Budget-friendly. There’s not one fancy ingredient in here, which makes it easy on the grocery budget while still being a showstopper for the whole family.

Looking for low-carb recipes? Check out this Low Carb Chicken Taco Casserole.

Are Green Beans keto?

Yes! Green beans have only 2 grams of net carbs per half cup serving, so they fit easily into a keto diet.

Is Cheesy Green Bean Casserole naturally Keto?

Not usually, no. The trouble with a traditional green bean casserole is almost always the canned soup… condensed cream of mushroom soup is high in carbs and full of additives that don’t fit a keto diet. The breadcrumbs or crunchy onion topping don’t help either.

Swapping the canned soup for a homemade sauce made with heavy cream and cheddar cheese is what makes this green bean casserole keto. You get all the creamy texture without any of the carbs.

You could still use traditional crispy onions on top (they run about 3 net carbs per serving), but I like to use bacon instead for even more flavor with fewer carbs.

Green beans themselves are just fine, by the way. They have around 2 grams of net carbs per half cup serving.

Tools Needed to Make Low Carb Green Bean Casserole

• 3-quart casserole dish
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Kitchen scissors
• Large skillet (for the bacon, or for the mushroom version below)
• Box grater

Shop here:

3 Quart Saucepan

Buy Now →

Knives

Buy Now →

Baking Dish

Buy Now →

Featured Links powered by

Ingredients for the Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Everything here is simple, everyday stuff… nothing fancy or hard to find!

• Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh Green Beans – grab these from the produce section, or from a farmer’s market in the summertime
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I use mild or medium, but sharp cheddar works great when you want a stronger flavor. See my tip below about shredding it fresh!
• Onion Powder and Garlic Powder
• Sea Salt
• Bacon – cooked and crumbled. I use 3 to 4 slices, but use more or less based on what you like.

Substitutions

• Green beans – frozen green beans will work in place of fresh (though fresh beans are so much better here). Thaw and drain them well first.
• Heavy cream – half & half works, but the sauce will be a little looser and not quite as creamy. A couple of tablespoons of sour cream whisked in at the end adds a nice tang, too.
• Thinning the sauce – a splash of chicken broth, chicken stock, or a little extra cream will loosen things up when your sauce gets too thick.
• Cheese – cheddar is my go-to, but mozzarella cheese makes it milder and stretchier, and Swiss is a really delicious twist.
• Seasonings – I keep them simple, but seasoned salt, black pepper, or any favorite blend you already have in the cabinet will work in place of the onion powder and garlic powder.

How to Make Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Making cheesy green bean casserole keto style is easier than you might think! Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this mouthwatering side dish that will satisfy all your green bean casserole cravings.

Prepping the Oven and Green Beans

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and grease a 3-quart baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Snip the ends off the green beans and place them in the prepared dish.

Prepping the Cheese Sauce

3. In a saucepan over medium heat, add the heavy whipping cream, shredded cheddar cheese, onion powder, and garlic powder.
4. Whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until the cheesy sauce is smooth and melted, then remove it from the heat.

5. Pour the creamy sauce over the green beans and stir to coat them evenly.
6. Sprinkle sea salt and crumbled bacon over the top of the green bean mixture.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, until you have tender green beans. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on during the last 10 minutes so it gets golden brown.
8. Serve and enjoy!

Creamy Mushroom Sauce Version

Want something closer to the original? You can build a creamy mushroom sauce and skip the soup entirely.

Slice 8 ounces of fresh mushrooms and cook them in a large skillet over medium-high heat in a tablespoon of olive oil, avocado oil, or bacon grease. Let them go for about 5 minutes, until they release their liquid and start to brown.

A splash of dry white wine at that point is completely optional and totally worth it. Let it cook down for 2-3 minutes, then stir the mushrooms right into your cheese sauce before pouring it over the beans. Still keto, still delicious.

Bacon and Cheese Green Bean Casserole Variations

There are so many different ways to change up Keto Green Beans Casserole:

• Almond flour crunchy topping. Mix almond flour with grated parmesan and a little melted butter, then scatter it over the top before baking for a crunchy topping that stands in beautifully for bread crumbs.
• Pork rind crumbs. Pulse pork rinds in a food processor and sprinkle them on for a keto-friendly crispy topping with real crunch.
• Parmesan crisps. Crumble them over the top as an alternative to the grated parmesan or the bacon.
• Crispy onions. Low carb fried onions still work here if you want that classic crunchy onion flavor on your holiday table.
• Mushrooms. Sliced mushrooms add another layer of texture and flavor, and the recipe stays keto-friendly.

Make Ahead

The holiday season is busy enough, so here’s how to get ahead of it.

Do everything through step 5 (beans, sauce, stir), then cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. Hold off on the bacon.

When you’re ready, preheat the oven to 375 degrees, pull the casserole out of the fridge, let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats, then add your salt and bacon and bake as directed. Adding the bacon at the end is what keeps it crispy.

What to Serve with Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

This is a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, potlucks, family dinners, or just a regular weeknight meal. It goes with almost any main dish, and it plays well with all the usual holiday dinners spread:

• Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Cream Cheese & Pepperoncini
• Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
• Cream Cheese Corn (Easy Casserole Recipe!)
• Our Favorite {No Onion} Baked Potato Salad
• The Best Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
• German Cucumber Salad
• Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Homemade Sweet & Sour Dressing
• Crockpot Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)

Storage Directions

Refrigerate leftovers covered or in an airtight container for 3-4 days. The bacon won’t stay crispy, but it’ll still taste great.

You can also freeze this casserole (minus the bacon) tightly covered with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, add the bacon, and bake.

Dietary Adaptations

This green bean casserole recipe with bacon is naturally gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly. Leave off the bacon topping and it’s vegetarian, too.

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep green bean casserole from getting mushy?

Blanch the beans first. Drop them into salted boiling water (about 1 teaspoon of salt per 8 cups of water) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, then drain them well before coating with the sauce. Frozen beans shouldn’t be blanched… just thaw and drain them thoroughly.

Are green beans keto?

Yes! Green beans have only 2 grams of net carbs per half cup serving, which keeps the carb count on this casserole nice and low.

Do you have to parboil green beans for green bean casserole?

Parboiling is the same as blanching, except you plunge the beans into ice cold water afterward. Neither one is required, but both will cut down on mushiness.

Can I use canned green beans?

You can, though the texture will be much softer. Drain them really well and cut your bake time down, since they’re already fully cooked.

A Delicious Green Bean Casserole Everybody Will Ask For

This one has become a family favorite around here, and I hope it becomes one at your house too. It’s simple, it’s cheesy, and it’s the kind of dish that makes a holiday meal feel complete without adding one bit of stress to your day.

Make it your own… more bacon, different cheese, mushrooms, whatever sounds good to you. That’s the whole point!

More Amazing Side Dishes…

• Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
• Easy Green Beans with Bacon & Brown Sugar
• French Bread with a KitchenAid Mixer
• German Cucumber Salad
• The Best & Easiest Crowd-Pleasing Deviled Eggs
• Easy Broccoli, Rice & Cheese Casserole
  
  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tried this recipe? Please take a moment to leave a comment and a star rating… it helps me grow my blog, and I’d be so grateful!