Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole made with fresh or frozen green beans, a creamy spiced sauce, and topped with crispy French fried onions. This comforting side dish is perfect for holiday meals and family dinners, featuring a rich combination of flavors and textures baked to golden perfection.
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 positioned in the center.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until almost tender, about 3 minutes if fresh or 2 minutes if frozen. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water for 2 minutes to stop cooking. Drain 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 for about 2 minutes until fragrant, whisking occasionally.
- Make Cream Sauce: Slowly whisk in the stock until smooth, then whisk in the half and half. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Bake: Add the green beans to a 9x13-inch baking dish and pour the cream sauce over them, tossing gently to coat. Bake for about 20 minutes until the sauce starts to bubble.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven, toss the green beans lightly, then sprinkle the French fried onions evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake until the onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for best texture; frozen can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- Vegetarian option: use vegetable stock and ensure French fried onions contain no animal products.
- Advance preparation is possible by assembling the casserole the day before and baking just before serving.
- Substitute half and half with whole milk and heavy cream mixed equally if half and half is unavailable.
- To make it gluten free, use gluten free flour and gluten free fried onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
