Green Bean Casserole (without mushroom soup)
This casserole dish has crunchy green beans, creamy white sauce, gooey cheese and crispy onions. It's a fantastic side dish for your holiday table. Plus, it can be prepared ahead, making it a stress-free option.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 206kcal
Ingredients
Crispy onions:
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or other vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Green bean casserole:
- 3 cups green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg ground
Instructions
Crispy onions from scratch:
- Have ½ cup onion in thin slices. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions. Salt them lightly to taste, and make sure they're spread out. Cook until browned but not burned. Move them around a few times so they brown evenly, but don't touch them too much. Blot on several layers of paper towels.
For the green bean casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook 3 cups green beans in a large pot with abundant salted water until al dente (crisp and tender, not too soft). Drain under cold water and reserve. You can put them in a large bowl of ice water to help maintain the green color.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and stir with a whisk until well integrated. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until you have a shiny, lightly colored paste.
- Slowly pour 1 cup milk while you stir constantly over medium heat. It's important to incorporate the milk as you add it. If lumps form, break them up with a spatula. You need a smooth, lump-free sauce.
- Add ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and pinch of ground nutmeg. Mix well.
- Place green beans, ⅔ cup grated cheddar cheese, and half the fried onions in a bowl.
- Add the white sauce to the green bean mixture and toss to mix with a spatula.
- Transfer to an 8-inch inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining ⅓ cup grated cheese on top and bake for 10 more minutes. Top with the remaining half of crispy onions and bake for 10 more minutes, until crisp and golden brown.
- Serve immediately.
- Refrigerate leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator. Reheat before eating.
Notes
Make in advance: assemble and refrigerate, covered, until ready to bake. When it's time to serve, pop it in a preheated oven and bake until golden.
Spicy: add chili pepper flakes, chili powder or smoked paprika to the white sauce.
Creamier and richer: use half the amount of cream and substitute the rest for cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 437mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 8mg
