Description
A classic and comforting Green Bean Casserole recipe featuring tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a side dish for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
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
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups half & half
Pantry
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn bright green and are slightly tender. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: 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 begin to brown.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat everything. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Make Sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and half & half, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens.
- 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 well to coat the green beans evenly with the sauce, then spread the mixture into an even layer.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the onions on top are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy as a delicious side dish for your meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- To make this gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the crispy fried onions are gluten-free.
- You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking cold.
- Fresh green beans provide the best texture, but frozen green beans can be used if thawed and patted dry.
- The crispy fried onions on top add a delightful crunch, but you can also make your own fried onions for a homemade touch.
