Easy Homemade Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort Magic

Crafting a delectable green bean casserole that sparks joy at every family gathering isn’t just about following steps.

Creamy textures and crispy edges come together in this classic comfort dish.

Memories of childhood dinners flood back with each bite of this hearty side.

Tender green beans nestle beneath a golden, crunchy topping that adds delightful contrast.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in creating something truly spectacular.

Comfort and nostalgia blend seamlessly in this simple yet irresistible recipe that you’ll want to make again and again.

Reasons To Love Green Bean Casserole

• Craft Elevated Comfort Food: Transform the classic green bean casserole into a gourmet dish with homemade crispy shallots and a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that takes this traditional side to new culinary heights.
• Flexible Meal Preparation: Enjoy the convenience of make-ahead options, allowing you to prepare the entire casserole in advance and simply bake when ready, perfect for busy cooks and holiday meal planning.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe seamlessly for different dietary needs, including gluten-free alternatives, making it accessible and delicious for everyone at the table.
• Restaurant-Quality Home Cooking: Impress your guests with professional-level techniques like blanching green beans and creating a sophisticated sauce that elevates this classic comfort food beyond ordinary expectations.

Ingredients For Green Bean Casserole

• Green Beans: Fresh vegetables that form the base of this comforting casserole.
• Mushrooms: Earthy fungi that add depth and richness to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid that creates the base for the creamy sauce.

• Butter: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing mushrooms.
• Cream, Half and Half: Adds luxurious creaminess to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a sharp, salty flavor and creates a delicious topping.

• Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that build a complex flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Thyme, Red Pepper Flakes, Ground Nutmeg: Seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.
• Creole Cajun Seasoning or Seasoned Salt: Adds extra flavor to the crispy shallots.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying shallots to create a crispy topping.

How To Make Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Shallot Topping

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add shallots and cook gently, stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

If browning too fast, reduce heat.

Remove shallots with a fish spatula onto a paper towel-lined plate and season with Creole Cajun seasoning or seasoned salt.

Strain and save the oil for future use.

Step 2: Blanch Green Beans

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Cook green beans for 3 minutes, then drain and immediately transfer to an ice water bath to stop cooking.

Drain again and set aside.

Step 3: Create Mushroom Sauce

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add mushrooms and garlic, sautéing until mushrooms are tender and lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.

Sprinkle flour and stir to combine.

Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps.

Scrape up browned bits from the pan.

Step 4: Season the Sauce

Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, red pepper flakes, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add cream and half the parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Place blanched green beans in a baking dish (10×10 or 9×13).

Pour mushroom sauce over the beans and toss to coat.

Sprinkle remaining parmesan evenly on top.

Step 6: Bake and Finish

Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven, toss the mixture, and top with crispy shallots.

Return to the oven and bake for another 7-10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy while hot.

Tips For Perfect Green Bean Casserole

• Choose fresh, firm shallots without soft spots or sprouts for the crispiest and most flavorful fried topping.
• Quickly cool green beans in ice water after boiling to maintain their bright color and crisp texture, preventing overcooking.
• Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free options like arrowroot or cassava flour for those with dietary restrictions.
• Assemble the casserole up to two days ahead and store in the refrigerator, allowing for stress-free meal planning and entertaining.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or extra thyme to enhance the dish's depth and create a more complex taste profile.

Flavor Ideas For Green Bean Casserole

• Vegan Green Bean Delight: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth, swap cream with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and create crispy onion topping using panko breadcrumbs and olive oil.
• Low-Carb Green Bean Bake: Substitute flour with almond flour, use heavy cream instead of half-and-half, add extra mushrooms for volume, and top with crushed pork rinds for crunch.
• Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole: Use olive oil instead of butter, replace cream with unsweetened almond milk, select dairy-free parmesan alternative, and maintain original seasoning profile.

Suggested Pairings For Green Bean Casserole

• Festive Family Feast: Perfectly pair this green bean casserole with hearty main dishes that complement its rich, creamy texture and savory flavors.
• Thanksgiving Centerpiece: Serve alongside roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or herb-crusted prime rib for a classic holiday meal that will impress everyone at the table.
• Side Dish Symphony: Create a balanced plate by adding roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a light winter salad to highlight the casserole's luxurious taste.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Enhance the dish's complexity with a crisp chardonnay or a medium-bodied pinot noir that will beautifully match the mushroom and parmesan notes.

Storage Advice For Green Bean Casserole

• Store leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish's flavor.
• Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the shallots.

FAQs

• Why blanch green beans before adding to the casserole?

Blanching helps preserve the bright green color, stops enzyme activity, and ensures the beans are partially cooked while maintaining a crisp texture.

• Can I use fresh or frozen green beans?

Fresh green beans work best for this recipe. If using frozen beans, thaw and drain completely before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture.

• How do I prevent my sauce from becoming lumpy?

Slowly add chicken broth while continuously stirring and use a wooden spoon to scrape any flour pockets, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce without clumps.

• What if I don't have Dijon mustard?

You can substitute with yellow mustard or omit it entirely, though Dijon adds a subtle tangy depth to the mushroom sauce that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Homemade Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade green bean casserole delivers classic comfort with a modern twist. Crispy onion topping and tender green beans create a delightful side dish you’ll savor at family gatherings and holiday meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 8 ounces (227 grams) baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 4 medium shallots, halved lengthwise & then sliced thinly into half moons

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) garlic, minced or paste
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Dijon mustard

Spices and Optional Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil
• Creole Cajun seasoning (or seasoned salt), to taste
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft golden-brown crispy shallots by heating oil in a medium saucepan, gently stirring shallots for 15-20 minutes until perfectly caramelized.
2. Transfer crispy shallots to a paper towel-lined plate, season with Creole Cajun seasoning, and strain remaining oil through a fine-meshed sieve.
3. Heat oven to 375°F for preparing the casserole.
4. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, then immediately plunge into an ice bath to halt cooking process.
5. Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter until tender and lightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes.
6. Incorporate flour into mushroom mixture, creating a smooth base by stirring thoroughly.
7. Gradually pour chicken broth, scraping pan to integrate all ingredients, ensuring no flour clumps remain.
8. Enhance sauce with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
9. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes, then blend in cream and half the parmesan cheese until silky.
10. Transfer blanched green beans to casserole dish, coating completely with creamy mushroom sauce.
11. Sprinkle remaining parmesan over green bean mixture.
12. Bake for 20 minutes, then gently stir and distribute crispy shallots across the top.
13. Return to oven for additional 7-10 minutes until edges become bubbly and shallots turn golden.
14. For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives like arrowroot or cassava flour.
15. Prepare dish in advance by refrigerating up to 2 days, covered tightly with foil, then bake when ready to serve.

Notes

• Crisp shallots can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum crunch and convenience.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding smoked paprika or fresh herbs like rosemary to the mushroom sauce for an unexpected depth of taste.
• When blanching green beans, ensure ice water bath is ready immediately to preserve vibrant color and prevent overcooking, maintaining perfect crisp-tender texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 37 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 294 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 375 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg