Description
This classic Green Bean Casserole features tender green beans combined with a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make dish ideal 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 & Broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups half & half
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Seasonings & Flour
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Toppings
- 1½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready 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 they are bright green and slightly tender. Immediately transfer the beans 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 start to brown.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Prepare Sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and half & half, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, combine the blanched green beans, mushroom sauce, and 1/2 cup of crispy fried onions. Mix well so that the green beans are evenly coated with the sauce. Spread the mixture into an even layer.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the onions on top turn golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade Green Bean Casserole!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Make sure not to overcook the green beans during blanching; they should retain some crispness.
- If you want extra crispy topping, add the fried onions during the last 5 minutes of baking as well as on top.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead, assembled, and refrigerated before baking.
