Description
Homemade green bean casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending crisp green beans with creamy mushroom sauce and golden crispy onions. Delightful comfort beckons you to savor each nostalgic, hearty bite of this classic American side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
Topping:
- 1.5 cups french fried onions
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Trim and slice green beans into bite-sized pieces, preparing them for a tender, crisp texture.
- Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until bright green, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking and preserve vibrant color.
- Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until golden brown and moisture has evaporated, releasing their rich, earthy flavor.
- Mince garlic and add to mushrooms, cooking for an additional minute to infuse aromatic notes.
- Create creamy sauce by whisking together heavy cream, milk, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme in the same pan with mushrooms.
- Simmer sauce for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
- Drain blanched green beans thoroughly and fold into the mushroom cream sauce, ensuring even coating.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly for consistent cooking.
- Combine french fried onions, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and parmesan cheese to create a crunchy, flavorful topping.
- Sprinkle topping mixture generously over green bean casserole.
- Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25-30 minutes until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbling.
- Allow casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and sauce set.
Notes
- Blanch green beans precisely to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, avoiding overcooking which leads to mushy vegetables.
- Select fresh, high-quality mushrooms for maximum flavor depth and richness in the cream sauce, preferring cremini or shiitake varieties.
- Customize the topping by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra layer of aromatic complexity.
- Make the dish gluten-free by substituting traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg