Old-School Green Bean Casserole (Printable)

Creamy green beans with mushrooms and crispy onions for a comforting festive dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or frozen cut green beans, thawed and drained)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 9 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1½ cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

# Method:

01 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until tender but still bright green. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5–6 minutes until browned and tender. Add onion and garlic; cook an additional 2–3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and vegetable broth. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using.
05 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with sauce.
06 - Transfer mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven, add remaining onions on top, then return and bake 5 to 7 minutes until golden and crisp.
08 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for family gatherings
  • Creamy comforting and loaded with flavor
02 -
  • You can assemble the dish ahead and bake just before serving
  • Check fried onion and broth labels for allergens
03 -
  • Add grated cheddar or Gruyère cheese for extra richness in the sauce
  • Use frozen green beans for a convenient shortcut without sacrificing texture
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