Green Pea Casserole

Green Pea Casserole is creamy, crunchy, and delicious all in one bite. Full of tender green peas, a creamy sauce, and topped with crunchy fried onions. This easy side dish is the perfect addition to your weeknight meal

Green Pea Casserole

Green bean casserole is a staple side dish in most southern homes. Depending on how much you love green beans, you might have it all year round.

But, sometimes you want something a little different than the traditional green bean casserole. My green pea casserole is just that!

Made with tasty sweet peas, a homemade cream sauce, and topped with the favorite French fried onions. It’s a slight variation to the favorite side dish we all know and love!

My other favorite side dishes are my creamed peas, my black eyed pea casserole, and my baked mashed potato gratin.

Ingredients Needed

Green Peas – I like to use frozen peas but you can use canned. They just might be a little softer once cooked. LeSeur peas are also tasty in this casserole.

Half & Half – You can also use milk to make the roux. If you want it extra creamy, you can use heavy cream. If you need to lighten it up a bit, substitute chicken or vegetable broth.

Cheese – Medium or mild cheddar works great with this but you can feel free to use your favorite cheese.

Mushrooms – To make it easy, I use sliced canned mushrooms. If you have fresh mushrooms, cook them in the pan with the onions before making the cream sauce.

French fried onions – These are a fan favorite for casserole toppings but you can also use corn flakes (not frosted), cracker crumbs, or even Panko. A little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese with these adds even more flavor.

Pantry staples – All purpose flour, unsalted butter, sweet onion.

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How To Make Green Pea Casserole

First: Preheat oven to 350F. Remove peas from the freezer and thaw. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the butter and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant.

Second: Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the raw flour flavor is gone. While whisking, add the half & half. Continue whisking in the pan until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat.

Third: Prepare an 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the thawed peas, the drained mushrooms, the shredded cheese, and the thickened onion/garlic mixture. Stir to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

Fourth: Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. Remove and spread the fried onions over the top evenly. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

How long does it last?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the casserole filling about 1 day in advance. Do not put the crunchy topping on as it tends to get soggy while sitting in the fridge.

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 day ahead. About 15 minutes before baking, remove from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove and add on the French fried onions or crispy topping of your choice and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Similar to this Crack Green Bean Casserole, it will be a hit on your holiday party.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container. I would suggest leaving the onion topping off until ready to bake.

Thaw overnight before reheating.

Variations:

There are SO many different ways you can make slight changes to really make this casserole your own.

1. Use Ritz crackers, corn flakes (not frosted), or Panko instead of the fried onions.
2. Don’t like mushrooms? Leave ’em out.
3. Prefer the taste of pearl onions? Add those in!
4. Lover of bacon? Cook some to the crispness of your choosing, chop up, and throw in!
5. Add in pimentos for a pop of color.
6. Don’t have time (or don’t want to) make the roux? Just use cream condensed soup.

Tips for No Leftovers

• If your roux appears too “soupy” this is usually caused by too much milk. To fix this, add in a little more cornstarch or flour and mix well. This should help thicken up your sauce!
• If using a canned cream soup; any cream soup will work if you are not a fan of cream of mushroom soup.
• Not interested in freezing leftovers? Use leftovers and create a new dish. Try it in pot pie, stuffed mushrooms, create a hash, or add to pasta for a green pea pasta salad!
• Makes a great side dish next to this French Onion Chicken.

Tips For Making A Homemade Cream Sauce

When making the cream base for the casserole, start with the pan over medium heat. Once you melt the butter and sweat the onions and garlic, sprinkle in the flour.

Stir, or I like to use a whisk, and stir the flour around to coat the onions. Then let it cook for a minute or two.

It will start to get “foamy” while it cooks. This is to remove the raw flour taste. After a minute or two (don’t let it burn) whisk in the half & half.

Keep stirring to incorporate it with the flour and other ingredients. Keep the heat on medium and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble. Do not bring to a rolling boil.

Once you can run a line through the sauce and it doesn’t run back together (see picture above) then the sauce is ready. Making a homemade roux or sauce is super easy!

If you don’t want to go through this process, feel free to use a condensed soup🙂

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Green pea casserole is a simple spin on the classic southern side-dish, green bean casserole. Comment down below if you make this casserole and how you made it your own.

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