There are some dishes that just feel like a warm hug on a plate. For many of us, green bean casserole is right at the top of that list. It’s a staple at holiday dinners and family get togethers for a reason. It is comforting, savory, and oh so good.
But what if I told you that you could make it even better? We are going to skip the canned soup and create something truly special from scratch. This is a guide to making The Best Green Bean Casserole you have ever had. It is easier than you think!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is incredible. Using fresh ingredients like onions and mushrooms makes a world of difference. You get a rich, savory sauce that canned soup just can’t compete with. It tastes genuinely homemade because it is.
The texture is another huge plus. We use fresh green beans that are cooked just until they are crisp tender. This avoids the mushy texture that can sometimes happen. You get a nice, satisfying bite every single time.
And let’s not forget the creamy sauce. We build a simple, flavorful cream sauce right in the pot. It is silky smooth and coats every single green bean beautifully. It truly makes this feel like a gourmet dish.
The crunchy topping is the finishing touch. A generous layer of crispy fried onions adds that amazing contrast in texture. It is the part everyone tries to get a little extra of on their plate. You know what I am talking about.
Best of all, this is a fantastic Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole. You can assemble it completely and pop it in the freezer. This is a lifesaver when you are planning a big meal. It frees up so much time on the day of your event.
Knowing How To Make Green Bean Casserole from scratch is a great skill. It is a classic recipe that will impress your family and friends for years to come. This is a recipe for The Best Green Bean Casserole that you will return to again and again.
Ingredients
The list of ingredients is simple and easy to find at any grocery store. No fancy items needed here, just good, wholesome food to create The Best Green Bean Casserole.
- Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 pound button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup half and half
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups prepared fried onions
You will also need a 3 quart baking dish for this recipe. It is the ideal size to hold all of this goodness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get into the kitchen and start cooking. Following these simple steps is the key to creating The Best Green Bean Casserole. I will walk you through everything. It is a straightforward process!
Step 1: Prepare The Green Beans
First things first, let’s get those green beans ready. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Giving the water a good season with salt helps flavor the beans from the inside out.
Once the water is boiling, add your trimmed and halved green beans. Let them cook for about 10 minutes. You want them to turn bright green and become what we call crisp tender. They should have a slight bite to them.
After they are done, drain them well. You can shake the colander a bit to get rid of any extra water. We do not want a watery casserole! Set the cooked beans aside for now. We will come back to them soon.
Step 2: Sauté The Aromatics
Now it is time to build the flavor base for our sauce. Grab a medium pot and melt the butter over medium heat. The smell of melting butter is always a good sign in the kitchen, isn’t it?
Add the diced onions to the melted butter. Cook them, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent. This should take about 8 minutes. Don’t rush this part. Softening the onions releases their sweetness.
Next, add the sliced mushrooms and a little pinch of salt. The salt will help the mushrooms release their liquid. Continue cooking and stirring until the mushrooms are soft and most of that liquid has evaporated. This will take about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Create The Creamy Sauce
This is where the magic really happens. We are going to make our creamy, dreamy sauce. Sprinkle the all purpose flour over the cooked onions and mushrooms. Stir everything together for about a minute.
The flour will absorb the butter and coat the vegetables. This is what will thicken our sauce. It is a classic technique for making a gravy or a cream sauce. Making this sauce is fundamental to How To Make Green Bean Casserole from scratch.
Now, slowly pour in the chicken broth and the half and half. Add about three quarters of a teaspoon of salt and several grinds of fresh black pepper. Stir everything together until it is well combined.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken up nicely. You will know it is ready when it coats the back of a spoon.
This homemade sauce is what makes this recipe The Best Green Bean Casserole. You can taste the difference in every single bite. The depth of flavor is simply amazing compared to the canned stuff.
Step 4: Combine And Assemble
Let’s bring it all together. Remove the pot with the sauce from the heat. Add your cooked green beans to the pot. Stir gently until all the beans are coated in that wonderful, creamy mushroom sauce.
Now, transfer the entire mixture into your 3 quart baking dish. Spread it out evenly. At this point, you have a beautiful casserole ready for the final touches. It already looks and smells delicious.
This is the stage where you can decide what to do next. You can either bake it right away or prepare it for the freezer. This flexibility is what makes this a great Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole.
Step 5: Freeze Or Bake
If you want to make it ahead, let the casserole cool down to room temperature. Once it is cool, wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Don’t forget to label and date it! It can be frozen for up to two weeks.
When you are ready to serve your frozen casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap and foil. Cover the dish with a new piece of foil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until it is warmed through.
After it is heated, uncover the dish and top it with the fried onions. Put it back in the oven and continue to bake for another 20 minutes. You want the casserole to be hot and bubbly, and the onions to be nice and crispy.
If you are serving it right away, simply top the green bean mixture with the fried onions. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 to 30 minutes. The casserole should be hot and bubbly, and the onions golden brown. Serving it fresh is just as amazing. Honestly, you can’t go wrong.
And there you have it. You have just created The Best Green Bean Casserole right in your own kitchen. It is a rewarding process from start to finish. I am so excited for you to try this.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. First, let the casserole cool down completely. You never want to put a hot dish directly into the refrigerator.
Once it is cool, you can either cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors can even meld together and taste great the next day.
To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual portions. Or, you can place the casserole back in the oven at 350 degrees F until it is warmed through. The onion topping might not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious.
Tips
Want to make The Best Green Bean Casserole even better? I have a few extra tips for you. Small adjustments can make a big impact on the final dish.
First, feel free to experiment with the mushrooms. While button mushrooms are classic, you can also use cremini mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor. A mix of different mushrooms would be wonderful too.
If you want an even richer sauce, you can use heavy cream instead of half and half. This will make the casserole extra decadent and creamy. It is a great option for a special occasion meal.
For a little extra something, you can add a cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the green bean mixture before baking. Cheese makes everything better, right? It adds a lovely, savory element to the dish.
Don’t be afraid to add other seasonings. A pinch of nutmeg in the cream sauce can enhance the flavors. A little bit of garlic powder with the onions is also a great addition. Make the recipe your own!
Conclusion
Making a green bean casserole from scratch is such a satisfying experience. It transforms a simple side dish into something truly special. The fresh flavors and creamy texture are simply unmatched. This recipe proves that homemade is always worth it.
I truly believe this is The Best Green Bean Casserole you will ever make. It is a reliable, delicious recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. Whether for a holiday or a simple weeknight dinner, it is a dish that brings comfort and joy.
So give it a try. I know you will love the results. Enjoy every creamy, crunchy bite of your amazing homemade creation!
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Green Beans?
Yes, you absolutely can. If you are using frozen green beans, there is no need to boil them first. Just let them thaw completely and pat them dry to remove any excess moisture. Then, you can add them directly to the sauce.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten Free?
You can definitely adapt this recipe to be gluten free. Simply swap the all purpose flour for a gluten free all purpose flour blend. Also, make sure to use gluten free fried onions, which are available at most grocery stores or online.
What Can I Use Instead Of Half And Half?
If you do not have half and half, you have a few options. You can use an equal amount of heavy cream for a richer sauce. Or, you can use whole milk for a lighter sauce. Both will work well in this recipe.
Can I Use A Green Bean Casserole Canned Green Beans Recipe?
While this recipe for The Best Green Bean Casserole calls for fresh beans, you can use canned. If you use Green Bean Casserole Canned Green Beans, be sure to drain them very well. The texture will be much softer, but the flavor of the homemade sauce will still be a great improvement.
Homemade Green Bean Casserole
A classic holiday favorite made from scratch. This comforting green bean casserole features crisp-tender green beans in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce, all topped with crunchy fried onions. A truly flavorful and traditional side dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add green beans to the boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain well and set aside.
- In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are soft and their liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth and half and half, stirring constantly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove the pot from the heat and gently stir in the cooked green beans until they are fully coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a 3-quart baking dish and top evenly with the fried onions.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the onions are golden brown.
Notes
For a richer sauce, you can use heavy cream instead of half and half.
Try using cremini mushrooms instead of button mushrooms for a deeper, earthier flavor.
For a cheesy version, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the green bean mixture before baking.
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