Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole made with fresh or frozen green beans in a creamy, spiced sauce topped with crispy French fried onions. This comforting dish is perfect for holiday dinners or any family gathering.
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 and position a rack in the center.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook until almost tender—3 minutes for fresh or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and transfer to an ice water bath for 2 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Place green beans in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Make Cream Sauce: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, ground nutmeg, and Dijon mustard. Cook while whisking occasionally until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the stock until smooth, then slowly whisk in the half and half. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the cream sauce over the green beans and toss to coat. Bake in the preheated oven until sauce starts to bubble, about 20 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove casserole from oven, toss the green beans again, then sprinkle with French fried onions. Return to oven and bake until onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans when possible for the best texture, but frozen works well if thawed properly.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- French fried onions can be found pre-packaged or made at home by thinly slicing onions, coating in seasoned flour, and frying until crisp.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before baking for perfect flavor balance.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy topping; leftovers can be reheated but topping may lose crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
