Save A nostalgic, creamy side dish featuring tender green beans, savory mushrooms, and crispy fried onions—this casserole is a classic for holiday feasts and family dinners. Each bite brings back memories of festive gatherings and comforting flavors.
The very first time I made this old-school green bean casserole, the aroma instantly transported me back to my grandmother's kitchen during Thanksgiving. Watching everyone take a scoop and smile is still one of my favorite holiday moments.
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans: 900 g (2 lb), trimmed and cut into 5 cm (2-inch) pieces, or use 900 g frozen cut green beans, thawed and drained
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
- Cremini or button mushrooms: 250 g (9 oz), sliced
- Yellow onion: 1 small, finely chopped
- Garlic cloves: 2, minced
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
- Whole milk: 240 ml (1 cup)
- Heavy cream: 120 ml (½ cup)
- Low-sodium vegetable broth: 120 ml (½ cup)
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Ground nutmeg: ½ tsp (optional)
- Crispy fried onions: 150 g (1½ cups), store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Set oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Blanch green beans:
- Boil salted water, add green beans, cook for 5 minutes, drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Prepare mushrooms and aromatics:
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, cook 5-6 minutes until browned. Add onion and garlic, cook 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Make the sauce:
- Stir in flour, cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and broth. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Combine beans and sauce:
- Add green beans to skillet, toss to coat in sauce.
- Assemble casserole:
- Transfer mixture to 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle half the fried onions over top.
- Bake:
- Bake 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven, top with remaining onions, bake 5-7 minutes more until golden and crisp.
- Cool and serve:
- Let casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Save When my cousins come over during holidays, we always end up reminiscing about our shared love for green bean casserole. It is the one dish that makes everyone gather around the table just a bit quicker!
Allergen Information
Contains milk (dairy), wheat (gluten in flour and fried onions), and possibly soy (in store-bought fried onions). Always verify store-bought ingredient labels for allergens.
Required Tools
Large pot, colander, large skillet, whisk, 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish, oven.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 265, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 25 g, Protein 6 g.
Save This casserole brings simple joy to every table. Enjoy creamy richness and crispy onions with every holiday meal.
Common Questions
- → How can I avoid soggy fried onions?
To keep fried onions crispy, add half before baking and the rest during the last few minutes of cooking to maintain their crunch.
- → Can frozen green beans be used instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen green beans work well if thawed and drained thoroughly before combining with the sauce.
- → What cheese options complement this dish?
Adding grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère can enrich the sauce with a deeper, savory flavor.
- → How do I thicken the creamy sauce without lumps?
Cook the flour briefly before gradually whisking in liquids to achieve a smooth, thickened sauce.
- → Can this dish be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to step 6 and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; add onions and bake before serving.