Green Bean Casserole Classic

There's nothing quite like a classic Green Bean Casserole to complete a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner. This recipe elevates the beloved side dish by swapping canned soup for a rich, homemade creamy mushroom sauce. Tender-crisp green beans are enveloped in this velvety sauce, then topped with a generous layer of crispy fried onions for that irresistible crunch. It's comfort in a dish, guaranteed to be a hit on any table.

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The heart of this recipe is the luscious, from-scratch sauce. By sautéing fresh mushrooms, onions, and garlic, you build a deep, savory flavor base. A simple roux thickens the milk and broth into a creamy sauce that beautifully coats every green bean, a far cry from the one-note flavor of canned soup.

Ingredients

• Vegetables
• 1 lb (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 1 lb frozen, thawed)
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz (225 g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
• Sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Topping
• 1 1/2 cups (75 g) crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 4–5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook for another 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and any liquid has evaporated.

Step 4

Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and vegetable broth. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 5

Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until smooth.

Step 6

Add drained green beans to the sauce and mix to coat evenly.

Step 7

Transfer mixture to a greased 2-quart (2-liter) baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of crispy fried onions evenly over the top.

Step 8

Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven, top with remaining crispy onions, and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden brown.

Step 9

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

This casserole is perfect for planning ahead. You can assemble the entire dish without the fried onion topping, then cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to eat, simply add the onions as directed and bake. This saves precious time during busy holiday preparations.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Feel free to customize this dish. For a deeper, more umami flavor, add a splash of soy sauce to the sauce. If you don't need the dish to be strictly vegetarian, a little Worcestershire sauce also works wonders. You can also substitute canned green beans if you're short on time; just be sure to drain them well and skip the initial boiling step.

Serviervorschläge

Green Bean Casserole is a quintessential holiday side dish that pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a hearty roast beef. For a complete vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a lentil loaf or roasted root vegetables.

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Whether for a special occasion or a simple weeknight dinner, this homemade Green Bean Casserole brings a touch of elegance and a whole lot of flavor. Enjoy the delightful combination of creamy, savory, and crunchy in every bite!

Recipe Q&A

→ How do I prepare the green beans for the dish?

Trim and cut fresh green beans into 2-inch pieces, then boil them until bright green and just tender. Immediately cool in ice water to stop cooking and retain color and texture.

→ What type of mushrooms work best in the sauce?

Cremini or button mushrooms are ideal as they provide a mild, earthy flavor that complements the creamy sauce.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole without the fried onions, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the topping and bake just before serving.

→ What gives the sauce its creamy texture?

The sauce combines butter, flour, milk, vegetable broth, and sour cream, creating a smooth, velvety coating for the green beans.

→ How can I add extra flavor to the sauce?

For deeper taste, consider a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce in the sauce, noting dietary preferences.

→ Are there allergen considerations to keep in mind?

This dish contains dairy and wheat/gluten from the butter, milk, sour cream, flour, and fried onions. Use gluten-free substitutes if needed.