Green bean casserole
This homemade Green Bean Casserole is the ultimate comfort food classic — creamy, savory, and topped with perfectly crispy onions. Made with fresh green beans, a rich mushroom sauce, and a golden topping, it’s a holiday favorite that never goes out of style. This detailed recipe walks you through every step for a fail-proof result that tastes far better than any canned version!
1 month ago
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
For the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
For the Crispy Onion Topping
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories260
- Total Fat17 g
- Saturated Fat8 g
- Cholesterol25 mg
- Sodium470 mg
- Total Carbohydrate20 g
- Protein7 g
Instructions
- 1 Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- 2 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 4–5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain immediately and plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
- 3 In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5–7 minutes until they release moisture and turn golden brown.
- 4 Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and stir for another minute to remove raw flour taste.
- 5 Slowly pour in broth while whisking constantly, followed by milk or cream. Continue whisking until sauce thickens (3–5 minutes).
- 6 Add soy sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. The sauce should be smooth and creamy.
- 7 Add blanched green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
- 8 Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Top with half of the crispy fried onions and breadcrumbs.
- 9 Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden.
- 10 Sprinkle the remaining fried onions on top and bake for another 5–10 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- 11 Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Serve warm as a side dish with roasted meats, turkey, or any festive main course.
Storage Tips
- 1 Allow casserole to cool completely before storing.
- 2 Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
- 3 To reheat, bake at 175°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes until heated through and topping re-crisps. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave (though topping will soften).
- 4 To freeze, assemble the casserole without the onion topping. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, top with onions, and bake as directed.
Pro Tips
- 1 Fresh green beans give the best texture and color — avoid over-boiling them.
- 2 Homemade fried onions or panko-breadcrumb topping adds extra crunch and flavor.
- 3 For a richer taste, replace half the milk with heavy cream.
- 4 Add a pinch of nutmeg or cayenne pepper to the sauce for a subtle flavor lift.
- 5 Make it ahead: Prepare the casserole a day before and refrigerate. Add topping and bake fresh on the day of serving.
