Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

With a creamy sauce, perfectly al dente green beans, crunchy French fried onions and more in the mix, even traditionalists will have to admit this green bean casserole with cheese is delish. It’s the perfect blend of old school and new school. Canned cream of mushroom soup and French fried onions ensure there’s that classic creamy-crunchy texture contrast. Using frozen green beans, in place of canned, and fresh red bell pepper ensures veggies turn out crisp-tender and not at all mushy. Soy sauce is not detectable as a standalone ingredient, and it’s not meant to be. Its role is to enhance the flavor of the entire dish with a spike of umami. And the cheese? That’s just there to make sure it all goes down easy! So, if you’ve been tiptoeing around the traditional version of this dish—making it not because you love it, but because someone else does—you might find this twist is the perfect compromise!