Green Beans with Bacon, Ranch and Parmesan
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Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor – these Garlic Parmesan and Bacon Green Beans are the perfect easy side dish for any meal. Simple enough for weeknights, impressive enough for holidays; and ready in less than 20 minutes.
Green Beans with Bacon Recipe
Green beans have been Ella’s favorite vegetable since she was a baby so they are a frequent side dish in our home – and if you know me, you know I like to experiment and serve up our old favorites in new, flavorful ways. Today’s green bean recipe is super simple to make and results in a creamy, salty and Ranch-seasoned green bean recipe with just the right amount of snap!
Green beans are blanched until just bright and snappy, then baked with smoky bacon, nutty Parmesan and a satisfying hit of ranch seasoning for a quick and easy veggie side that even the most picky of eaters will love!
It works just as well as a side dish for the holidays as it does a quick weeknight veg.
It’s a fast, satisfying side that hits all the right notes – fresh, savory and just indulgent enough to make it earn it’s place on your plate.
Okay, so let’s just get this out of the way – I hate the name of this recipe, but unfortunately for me as a food blogger, the combination of cheese, bacon and ranch seasoning has taken on this nickname. But, I get that it’s a mouthful to say “Ranch, Parmesan and Bacon Green Beans” so if you want to call them “Crack Green Beans,” I won’t blame you!
Crack Green Beans Variations:
- Spicy Parmesan Green Beans: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil before baking for a subtle kick.
- Garlic Butter Upgrade: Replace olive oil with 1 tablespoon melted butter mixed with minced garlic for a richer flavor.
- Touch of Lemon: Sprinkle the green beans with a bit of lemon juice (or lemon zest) just before serving for a fresh, bright finish.
- Cheddar Bacon Twist: Substitute half of the Parmesan with shredded sharp cheddar for a creamier, more robust flavor.
- Vegetarian Style: Omit the bacon and add toasted almonds or sunflower seeds for a savory crunch.
Ranch Green Beans FAQs
How to blanche green beans: For best results with any green bean recipe, you just want to quick blanche them for a couple minutes so they are still a bit squeaky when you bite into them. Drain and rinse with cool water immediately to stop them from continuing to cook. If in doubt, err on the side of undercooking the green beans – crunchy green beans are always better than soggy, soft green beans.
How to trim green beans: If you buy French green beans, they will come pre-trimmed. If you need to trim your green beans yourself, simply rinse and then lay a handful at a time on a cutting board. Use your hand or the edge of a knife to line up the ends of the green beans evenly, and then chop off about 1/4″ inch. Repeat on the opposite side and then with all green beans.
Should I use fresh or frozen green beans? Fresh beans work best for this recipe because they hold their texture and color after blanching and baking, however frozen is still a great option. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry before cooking.
How to store leftover green beans: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. (I don’t recommend freezing leftovers of this recipe.)
More Great Green Bean Recipes:
- Green Beans Almondine <– our favorite
- Cheesy Parmesan Green Beans
- Green Bean Fries
- Healthy Green Bean Casserole
- Bacon-wrapped Green Beans from Kylee Cooks
- Green Beans and Kale Caesar Salad from the Food Network
Green Beans with Bacon Ingredients
- Green beans
- Olive oil, optional
- Parmesan cheese, shredded
- Ranch seasoning <– grab our homemade ranch seasoning recipe here
- Bacon, cooked
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: Salt the water generously for blanching the green beans; it seasons the beans from the inside out, giving them more depth before they even hit the oven.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Medium-sized Saucepan
- Colander
- Cookie Sheet or Casserole Dish
- Microplane Grater
How to Make Green Beans with Bacon
Preheat oven to 350F
Bring a heavily salted pot of water to boil over high heat.
Cook the green beans for 2-3 minutes, until you reach your desired level of doneness. Drain and rinse.
Place the green beans in a 9” x 16” baking dish. If desired, toss with olive oil.
Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning and bacon. (If using the olive oil, you can toss the green beans in the ranch seasoning instead.)
Bake for 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serve immediately.
Pin this Ranch Parmesan Bacon Green Beans You’ll Make on Repeat:
Grab your free printable recipe card for our crack green beans recipe:
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Green Beans with Bacon, Ranch and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil, optional
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 2 strips bacon, cooked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Bring a heavily salted pot of water to boil over high heat.
- Cook the green beans for 2-3 minutes, until you reach your desired level of doneness. Drain and rinse.
- Place the green beans in a 9” x 16” baking dish. If desired, toss with olive oil.
- Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning and bacon. (If using the olive oil, you can toss the green beans in the ranch seasoning instead.)
- Bake for 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 67Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 486mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy green bean recipe as much as mine does!
For more ways to make veggies delicious, check out our full vegetable recipe collection here:
For more scrumptious side dishes, check out our full side dish recipe collection here:
Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor – these Garlic Parmesan and Bacon Green Beans are the perfect easy side dish for any meal.
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