Description
This homemade green bean casserole is a classic American holiday side dish featuring tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any festive gathering, this recipe delivers rich, comforting flavors with a homemade touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed and halved)
- 1 small yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms (sliced)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×9-inch or similar baking dish to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed and halved green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until they are just tender-crisp. Drain the green beans and immediately rinse them under cold water to stop cooking, then set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the mushrooms are browned and most of their moisture has evaporated.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and stir for one minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the milk and low-sodium broth while stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to your preference.
- Combine and Transfer: Fold the blanched green beans and half of the crispy fried onions into the creamy mushroom sauce mixture. Transfer everything evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the onions on top are golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- You can prepare the casserole a day in advance, refrigerate it, and bake it just before serving to save time on busy days.
- For extra richness and creaminess, substitute half-and-half for the whole milk in the sauce.
- To keep the crispy onions extra crunchy, add them just before baking rather than mixing them all into the sauce.
- Use low-sodium broth to better control the salt content in the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
