Old-School Green Bean (Printable)

Creamy green beans with mushrooms and crispy onions make a nostalgic holiday favorite.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 2 lb 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 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until just tender and bright green. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until tender and browned. Stir in onion and garlic, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using.
05 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
06 - Transfer the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling. Remove from oven, add the remaining fried onions on top.
08 - Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Creamy comforting flavors everyone recognizes
  • Crispy onions bring irresistible texture
02 -
  • For extra flavor add grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce.
  • You can assemble ahead up to baking and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
03 -
  • For crispier onions add more just before serving.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce add an extra half tablespoon flour.
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