Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole recipe featuring fresh or frozen green beans in a creamy, flavorful sauce topped with crispy French fried onions, perfect for a comforting side dish at any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh or frozen green beans
- 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
- 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 over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until almost tender, about 3 minutes for fresh or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and immediately transfer them to a large bowl of ice water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking. Drain again and pat dry, then place in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Sauce Base: 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 while whisking occasionally until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the stock until smooth, followed by the half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Green Beans and Sauce: Pour the thickened sauce over the blanched green beans in the baking dish and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce starts to bubble, about 20 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove from the oven, toss the green beans again, and sprinkle the French fried onions evenly on top. Return to the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown, about 10 more minutes.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans if available for best texture; frozen options work well too.
- Be sure to blanch and shock the green beans to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture.
- For a richer flavor, use chicken stock; use vegetable stock for a vegetarian option.
- Keep an eye on the topping during the last baking stage to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
