Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole recipe featuring fresh or frozen green beans in a creamy, flavorful sauce topped with crispy French fried onions. Perfect for holiday dinners or comforting family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 2 pounds fresh or frozen green beans
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 cups half and half
Topping
- 1 ½ cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center position to ensure even cooking.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add green beans and cook until almost tender, about 3 minutes for fresh or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and transfer to a large bowl of ice water to stop cooking for 2 minutes. Drain again and pat dry.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Dijon mustard. Cook while whisking occasionally for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the stock until smooth, then slowly whisk in the half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Beans and Sauce: Pour the cream sauce over the blanched green beans in a 9x13-inch baking dish and toss to coat evenly.
- Bake Initial: Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce starts to bubble, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and toss the green beans gently.
- Add Topping and Final Bake: Sprinkle the French fried onions evenly on top. Return the casserole to the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes.
Notes
- Using frozen green beans is a convenient alternative to fresh and works well after blanching.
- For a richer flavor, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
- Make sure to pat the green beans dry after blanching to keep the casserole from becoming watery.
- If French fried onions are unavailable, crispy fried shallots or homemade toasted breadcrumbs can be used as a topping.
- This casserole tastes best served warm and can be prepared a few hours ahead and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
