A woman named Dorcas Reilly invented this in 1955.
Green Bean Casserole
Dorcas Reilly worked for the Campbell Soup Company in the 1950’s. She was a staff member of the home economics department. Dorcas and her team were tasked with creating a dish from ingredients that most American households would have on hand. Dorcas and her team decided to use green beans and Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup.
Initially, no one in the company liked the dish; but Dorcas just wouldn’t leave it alone. Eventually, it caught on and became popular nationwide. According to the company, Campbells estimates that 40% of their Cream of Mushroom soup goes into green bean casseroles.
In 2002, Dorcas donated the original recipe card to the Inventor’s Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio. She died this past October at age 92.