Save to Pins A nostalgic, creamy side dish featuring tender green beans, savory mushrooms, and crispy fried onions—a classic for holiday feasts and family dinners.
This green bean casserole always takes me back to family gatherings, where the dish would be passed around and everyone clamored for seconds. It's been a staple on our holiday table for as long as I can remember!
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans: 900 g (2 lb), trimmed and cut into 5 cm (2-inch) pieces (or substitute with 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 (optional): ½ tsp
- Crispy fried onions: 150 g (1½ cups), store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook Green Beans:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender and browned. Add onion and garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Thicken Sauce:
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
- Combine Beans and Sauce:
- Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Assemble and Add Onions:
- Transfer the mixture to a 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions on top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven, top with remaining onions, and bake for 5-7 minutes more until golden and crisp.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Save to Pins My kids always ask for extra crispy onions on their portion, and it's become a family tradition to let them sprinkle the last layer before popping it back in the oven.
Make Ahead & Storage
You can assemble the casserole (leave off the onions) up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Add onions just before baking and bake as directed until hot and bubbly.
Serving Suggestions
This classic side is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any potluck. It pairs beautifully with roast turkey, chicken, or even hearty vegetarian mains.
Nutritional Info
Each serving provides approximately 265 calories, 15 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 6 g protein. Nutritional values may vary depending on specific brands of fried onions and dairy used.
Save to Pins This old-school casserole is pure comfort and guaranteed to earn you rave reviews at the table. Enjoy every bite of this creamy, crunchy classic!
Questions & Answers
- → Can frozen green beans be used?
Yes, thawed and drained frozen green beans work well and save prep time without sacrificing texture.
- → How do you make the sauce creamy?
The sauce gains creaminess from a combination of butter, flour, milk, and heavy cream gently cooked to thicken before adding the green beans.
- → What’s the best way to get crispy fried onions?
Store-bought crispy fried onions are convenient, but homemade ones can be made by frying thinly sliced onions in oil until golden and crunchy.
- → Can cheese be added for extra flavor?
Yes, grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère added to the sauce enriches the taste and adds depth.
- → How should the dish be reheated to maintain crispiness?
Reheat in the oven until warmed through to keep the topping crisp instead of microwaving which can make it soggy.