Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole recipe featuring fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions and baked to golden perfection. This comforting side dish is perfect for holiday dinners or any family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
Dairy & Pantry
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half & half
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Topping
- 1½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms release their moisture and start to brown.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste, forming a roux base for the sauce.
- Make Sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and the half & half, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, combine the blanched green beans, mushroom sauce, and ½ cup of the crispy fried onions. Mix everything together directly in the dish until the green beans are evenly coated. Spread the mixture into an even layer.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the onions on top are golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Fresh green beans work best here for the best texture and flavor, but frozen can be used if fresh aren’t available.
- Be sure to blanch the green beans to maintain their vibrant color and crisp-tender texture.
- To make the casserole ahead of time, assemble it up to step 7, cover, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Crispy fried onions on top provide a signature crunch; substitute with homemade fried onions if preferred.
