Old-School Green Bean Casserole (Print Version)

Tender green beans with savory mushrooms and crispy fried onions baked to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 2 lb frozen cut green beans, thawed and drained)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 9 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1½ cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook green beans for 5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Sauté mushrooms for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and tender. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, heavy cream, and vegetable broth. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg.
05 - Add drained green beans to the skillet and toss carefully to coat them evenly with the sauce.
06 - Transfer mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Evenly sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions on the surface.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes until the casserole bubbles.
08 - Remove from oven, evenly scatter remaining fried onions over the top, and return to oven for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
09 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Classic comfort food that brings back family memories
  • Made from scratch with fresh or frozen green beans
02 -
  • Contains milk and wheat: check fried onion and broth labels if serving to guests with allergies
  • This casserole is best when served hot and fresh for maximum crispiness
03 -
  • For a cheesy twist, stir in 50 g grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce before baking
  • Use frozen green beans for convenience—just thaw and drain well before adding to the recipe
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