My general philosophy with food is that it should be simple, affordable, and easy to prepare. Â Sure, there’s something cathartic bout spending an afternoon making gumbo or lasagna or something of the like, but everyday food shouldn’t be a hassle.
In the same vein, I feel like we often complicate food and the cooking process. Â Recipes call for exotic (and expensive) ingredients and use elaborate cooking techniques. Â We make it harder on ourselves when, most of the time, we just want something easy. Â Y’all know me. Â I REALLY like easy.
Jack tried out for all-star soccer and made the team. Â It’s something he’s been wanting to do for years and we’re super proud of him. Â But for us, that means another month of practices, not to mention they’re more frequent and longer. Â It’s making it harder and harder to get a home cooked meal on the table on those nights.
So it’s time for me to make my generally easy recipes even easier.
These Unbundled Green Beans are the perfect example.
My Mom’s Green Bean Bundles are one of my favorite sides. Â But admittedly, they’re pretty labor intensive on my scale. Â Cutting bacon in little strips; tediously wrapping the green beans in little bundles. Â I just don’t have time for it most days. Â (It also explains why Mom only made these on special occasions!) Â But I just love the flavors, so I had to figure out how to make this process easier. Â So I did.
I just left out that whole bundling thing and combined all the ingredients in one dish. Â Easy peasy.
To make it even easier, I bought some of the precooked, crumbled bacon in the little pouch from the grocery store. Â It saves a bunch of time and keeps the kitchen a little cleaner.
Y’all are gonna love these!
Ingredients
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans whole green beans, drained (cut green beans work, too)
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 (1 to 1.25-ounce) packet onion soup mix
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly spray an 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pour the green beans and crumbled bacon in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the onion soup mix and water. Pour it over the beans and bacon and lightly toss to coat.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the beans are heated through.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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An addition I make to this dish is to sprinkle some of the canned dried onions on top. (Not sure, I think they might be French’s brand?) I also mix a few into the casserole as well for a little added crunch. We love them! Thanks for all the wonderful, easy recipes that have happily fed my family for years!
So smart! Thanks for sharing that idea, Cookie!
I made this for Easter and my son said it was the best green beans he ever ate!
Well that’s quite the compliment! I’m so glad he enjoyed them, Leslie!
Stacey, how about 1 minute or less in an instant pot?
I have so little experience with instant pots, I just can’t say for sure.
I’ll bet a little bacon grease would add flavor. Sounds so good. Enjoy your recipes.
it sure would!
Never have used onion soup mix. Must try!
Only one thing missing, red pepper flakes. Something about the red pepper flakes gives it a little spice but excellent flavor. . So yummy!
Great addition! Hope you enjoy!
Haven’t bought a cookbook in years but ordered one today ! Stacey your recipes have brought so many smiles to my family ! Thank you so much !!!
I am SO honored that you found my book worthy! I hope you’ll find many more smiles in the book! Thanks, Sherry!!
Oh yea! Made mine tonight with pole beans because that’s what I had. Yummy in our tummy! Can’t wait to bring these to our next church potluck! Thank you Stacey!
I’m so glad y’all enjoyed these!!
My husband does love good green beans. I, on the other hand only learned to like green beans when I started cooking them for him, so I look for good, country eatin’ recipes! I think this is one that we’ll both enjoy a lot. Thanks, Stacey!!
Pole Beans!!!
These look really good! I’ve got some green beans in the freezer (either from my garden or CSA farm box). Would I need to cook/steam them before I use them in this? Thanks!
I would definitely would cook/steam them first if you want them to be nice and tender. Enjoy!
Will do — thanks!