Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients for this easy green bean casserole family enjoys.

In a large bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt until completely smooth. This creates your creamy sauce base that coats every vegetable.

Add fresh green beans and sliced mushrooms to the soup mixture, stirring gently until all beans are evenly coated. Don't over-stir or you'll break the green beans. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes until the edges begin bubbling. Remove from oven and sprinkle 2 cups of fried onions across the top, reserving remaining onions for garnish.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes until onions turn golden brown. The thanksgiving green bean casserole family recipe reaches perfect doneness when it bubbles around edges and onions achieve deep golden color.

While casserole finishes baking, melt butter and combine with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Stir until breadcrumbs absorb the butter and become fragrant.

Remove casserole from oven and sprinkle buttered breadcrumb mixture and remaining fried onions over top. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving so it sets slightly.