Description
Comforting green bean and potato casserole brings classic midwestern warmth to family dinner tables. Creamy textures and hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising you a nostalgic side dish that satisfies from first delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs green beans, trimmed and cut
- 3 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large casserole dish with a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, render the bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden, creating crunchy bits and releasing its rich, smoky flavor. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté the diced onions and minced garlic in the bacon fat until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, developing a deep, savory base for the casserole.
- Add the diced potatoes to the skillet, stirring to coat with the aromatic bacon fat, and cook for 5-6 minutes until they begin to soften and develop slight golden edges.
- Introduce the trimmed green beans to the potato mixture, tossing gently to combine and ensure even cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, sour cream, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and chopped parsley to create a luxurious, herb-infused sauce.
- Layer half the potato and green bean mixture into the prepared casserole dish, sprinkle with half the crispy bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour the cream mixture evenly over the first layer, ensuring thorough coverage and moisture distribution.
- Add the remaining potato and green bean mixture, topping with the rest of the bacon and cheddar cheese.
- Dot the surface with small butter pieces to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the ingredients settle and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Optimize bacon crispiness by patting it dry before cooking to ensure maximum crunchiness and even rendering.
- Slice potatoes uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture throughout the casserole.
- Reduce dairy for lighter version by substituting half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream, maintaining creamy consistency while cutting calories.
- Experiment with vegetarian adaptation by replacing bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for depth, and adding roasted mushrooms for umami complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg