Description
Homestyle creamy green bean casserole with crispy onions. A comforting classic for holidays or weeknights. Simple and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Creamy Sauce Essentials:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Flavor Boosters & Seasoning:
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
- Crispy Topping:
- 1 (6 oz) can crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Prep the Green Beans:: First things first, get those green beans ready. Trim the ends, snap or cut them into bite-sized pieces. Then, steam or blanch them until they’re crisp-tender. You want them bright green, not mushy. This is where I always forget to salt the water, but trust me, a pinch of salt in the steaming water makes a difference! You’re looking for that perfect ‘give’ without being soft.
- Sauté the Aromatics:: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt your butter over medium heat. Toss in the diced yellow onion and let it soften, stirring occasionally, until it’s translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and sliced cremini mushrooms. Sauté for another 3-5 minutes, until the mushrooms release their moisture and start to brown. Don’t rush this step; those browned bits add so much flavor!
- Build the Creamy Sauce:: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for about a minute. This cooks out the raw flour taste. Slowly, pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. This is crucial for a smooth sauce! Then, gradually whisk in the whole milk and the Worcestershire sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. It should smell incredibly savory and rich right about now!
- Combine and Season:: Once the sauce is thick and bubbly, stir in your prepared green beans. Give everything a good stir to ensure the beans are fully coated in that luscious sauce. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust the salt and pepper. I always add a generous grind of black pepper here; it just seems to wake up all the flavors. Don’t be shy with the seasoning!
- Bake to Perfection:: If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle about half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges and the onions are golden brown. My kitchen always smells amazing at this point!
- The Final Crispy Touch:: Take the casserole out of the oven. Now for the grand finale! Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions over the top. Return it to the oven for another 5 minutes, just until those fresh onions are heated through and gloriously golden and extra crunchy. This ensures a super crispy topping, which, honestly, is what we’re all here for. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving; it’ll be screaming hot!