Description
A classic and simple green bean casserole that combines a creamy sauce with a crispy topping, perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 cups crispy fried onions, divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1½ teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
- Fine salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½–1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese (optional)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Blanch and dry the beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4–5 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and plunge into ice water. Pat dry thoroughly on a towel-lined sheet pan.
- Brown the vegetables: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion with a pinch of salt. Sauté until golden and fragrant, 6–8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Build the sauce: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in broth, then half-and-half. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thick and glossy. Stir in soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Shortcut path: In a mixing bowl, whisk condensed soup, milk, and soy sauce until smooth. Fold in beans and ½ cup fried onions.
- First bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine beans with sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Stir in ½ cup fried onions. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbling.
- Finish with the crunch: Remove from oven, stir once, then top evenly with remaining fried onions. Bake for 10–15 minutes more, until golden and crisp.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
Dry the beans well after blanching for a crispy topping. You can make this recipe ahead of time and freeze the base without the fried onion topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg