Old-School Green Bean Casserole (Printable)

Nostalgic creamy green beans with mushrooms and crispy fried onions, ideal for cozy family gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
12 - ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook green beans for 5 minutes until tender but crisp. 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. Incorporate onion and garlic, cooking another 2-3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and vegetable broth. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
05 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
06 - Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions over the top.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling.
08 - Remove from oven, add the remaining fried onions on top, then bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until golden and crisp.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Classic holiday side dish
  • Easy to prepare and comforting
02 -
  • This casserole is vegetarian but contains dairy and gluten.
  • Make ahead by assembling up to step 6 and refrigerating for up to 24 hours.
03 -
  • Add 50 g grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce for extra flavor.
  • Serve alongside roast turkey or chicken for a perfect holiday meal.
Go Back