Description
Creamy green bean casserole elevates classic comfort food with crispy onion topped goodness. Homemade and hearty, this dish brings family favorites to life with simple ingredients and mouthwatering flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed, and halved
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1.25 cups (300 milliliters) half-and-half or whole milk
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) chicken broth
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup French’s fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare green beans by blanching in generously salted boiling water for 5 minutes, ensuring crisp-tender texture. Quickly drain and shock in ice water to halt cooking process.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate flour into butter mixture, creating a smooth roux that will thicken the sauce base.
- Slowly stream in chicken broth and half-and-half, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy consistency.
- Simmer sauce until it reaches a velvety thickness, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Season sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.
- Gently fold blanched green beans into sauce, ensuring each bean is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer bean and sauce blend to a prepared baking dish, spreading mixture in an even layer.
- Generously sprinkle French’s crispy fried onions across the top for a crunchy, golden crown.
- Bake in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until sauce bubbles and onion topping turns a rich, golden brown.
Notes
- Blanch green beans quickly to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture, preventing them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Substitute dairy-free half-and-half or almond milk for a lactose-free version, ensuring creamy consistency without compromising flavor.
- Toast homemade breadcrumbs as a healthier alternative to store-bought fried onions, reducing overall calorie content while adding a fresh crunch.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon bits for extra depth and complexity in the classic casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg