Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved (or 2 cans of drained green beans)
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 1/3 cups French fried onions
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. If using fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling water for about 3 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water.
3. If using canned beans, simply drain and rinse them.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the prepared green beans and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the creamy mixture. Stir to combine.
6. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole. Top with crumbled bacon and French fried onions.
8. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.