Description
This Homemade Green Bean Casserole is a classic American holiday side dish featuring fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions for a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with cheese and vegetable or chicken broth for either vegetarian or traditional versions.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese (optional)
Topping
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 4–5 minutes until they turn bright green and become slightly tender. Drain, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown, about 6–7 minutes.
- Make Sauce Base: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook the flour for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and the milk or half-and-half. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the blanched green beans and shredded cheese if using, mixing everything thoroughly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the green bean and sauce mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly top with crispy fried onions.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm as a delicious side dish for your meal.
Notes
- You can make this casserole a day ahead—just cover and refrigerate before baking to save time on the day of serving.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and skip the cheese or substitute it with a plant-based cheese option.
- To add extra flavor, feel free to use Gruyère cheese for a richer taste or cheddar for a sharper bite.
- If you prefer a crispier topping, add additional crispy fried onions just before serving.
