Description
This homemade green bean casserole is a comforting classic, elevated with fresh ingredients and a luscious, creamy sauce. It’s the perfect blend of tender green beans and savory mushrooms, crowned with the delightful crunch of crispy fried onions, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 tbsp unsalted butter
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
1.5 cups store-bought french fried onions
Instructions
Prepare your oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Briefly cook the fresh green beans in boiling salted water until they are bright green and tender, then chill them in an ice bath before draining well.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then cook the mushrooms and onion until nicely browned.
Add the garlic and flour and stir for about a minute.
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and cream, simmering until the sauce is thickened, then season to your liking.
Gently combine the blanched green beans with the creamy mushroom sauce and pour into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes, then sprinkle the french fried onions on top and bake for another 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
Notes
Don’t overcook the green beans during the blanching step! They will continue to cook in the oven, so you want them to have just a bit of firmness to them to prevent them from becoming mushy in the final casserole.
Make sure your blanched green beans are very well-drained after their ice bath. Excess water can make your casserole sauce thinner than desired.
Don’t rush the browning of the mushrooms and onions. This step develops a deep, savory flavor that is essential to the casserole’s overall taste.
Whisk the sauce constantly as it simmers to prevent lumps and achieve a beautifully smooth and creamy texture. If it seems too thick, you can always whisk in a tablespoon or two more of broth or milk.
For the crispiest topping, add the french fried onions right at the end of the baking time. Baking them for too long can make them lose their crunch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American