Description
This classic Green Bean Casserole recipe features fresh green beans and a rich mushroom sauce baked to perfection with crispy fried onions on top. Perfect for holiday dinners or cozy family meals, this dish balances tender vegetables and creamy, savory flavors with a delightful crunchy topping.
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
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups half & half
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Topping
- 1½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready 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 Aromatics and Mushrooms: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then 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 flour evenly over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat everything well. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Make the 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. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens nicely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, combine the blanched green beans, mushroom sauce, and half a cup of the crispy fried onions. Mix everything together directly in the dish until the green beans are fully coated.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over the top of the casserole for a crunchy, golden finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the fried onions on top turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to blanch the green beans briefly to retain their bright color and crisp-tender texture.
- Use fresh mushrooms rather than canned for the best flavor and texture.
- The crispy fried onions can be found in most grocery stores in the salad toppings or soup mix aisle.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if chilled.
- To make this dish vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially salt and pepper.
