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Crispy Classic Green Bean Casserole

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A nostalgic and comforting green bean casserole featuring fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and a crispy fried onion topping. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling beans)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat milk)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for tossing onions)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking and preserve color. Drain again and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking until mushrooms release moisture and start to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in milk and broth, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Add the blanched green beans to the mushroom sauce and gently fold to coat evenly. Cook together for 2 minutes to marry flavors. Remove from heat.
  5. In a small bowl, toss crispy fried onions with melted butter to ensure extra crunch.
  6. Transfer the green bean and mushroom mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the buttered fried onions over the top.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and topping is golden brown. Watch closely near the end to prevent burning.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

Blanch green beans to preserve color and texture. Toss fried onions with melted butter before baking for extra crunch. For extra crispy topping, broil casserole for last 2-3 minutes watching closely. Use fresh mushrooms for best flavor. Can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version. Cheesy twist: add ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar to mushroom sauce before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, classic casserole, holiday side dish, mushroom sauce, crispy fried onions, homemade green bean casserole

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/crispy-classic-green-bean-casserole-recipe-easy-homemade-side-dish-guide/