Save A nostalgic creamy side dish featuring tender green beans savory mushrooms and crispy fried onions—a classic for holiday feasts and family dinners.
Every time I make this casserole for family gatherings it brings back memories of childhood Thanksgivings and the familiar aroma filling my grandma's kitchen. It's a recipe that's always requested and never goes out of style.
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans: 900 g (2 lb) trimmed and cut into 5 cm (2-inch) pieces or substitute with 900 g frozen cut green beans thawed and drained
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
- Cremini or button mushrooms: 250 g (9 oz) sliced
- Yellow onion: 1 small finely chopped
- Garlic cloves: 2 minced
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
- Whole milk: 240 ml (1 cup)
- Heavy cream: 120 ml (1/2 cup)
- Low-sodium vegetable broth: 120 ml (1/2 cup)
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp optional
- Crispy fried onions: 150 g (1 1/2 cups) store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Set oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook Green Beans:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans cook for 5 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking then set aside.
- Prepare Mushroom Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat melt butter. Add mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender and browned. Add onion and garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Thicken Sauce:
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk cream and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened about 5 minutes. Season with salt pepper and nutmeg if using.
- Combine and Toss:
- Add drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Assemble and Top:
- Transfer mixture to a 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish. Sprinkle half the crispy fried onions on top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling. Remove from oven top with remaining onions and bake for 5-7 minutes more until golden and crisp.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Save One Thanksgiving my cousin helped top the casserole with way too many fried onions and everyone loved the extra crunch—we still laugh about it each year.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Assemble the casserole up to the first baking step cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for best flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole pairs perfectly with roast turkey roast chicken or any holiday spread. It's a vegetarian-friendly option everyone enjoys.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides about 265 calories with 15 g total fat 25 g carbohydrates and 6 g protein making it a hearty side dish for gatherings.
Save Serve warm and watch as it disappears quickly—it's sure to become your family's new holiday tradition.
Recipe Guide
- → Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen green beans can be used if thawed and drained well before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
- → How do I get the fried onions crispy on top?
Add half the fried onions before baking to meld flavors, then top with remaining onions near the end to achieve a golden, crispy finish.
- → Can I prepare the dish in advance?
You can assemble up to the baking step, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then add onions and bake before serving.
- → What can I use to enhance the sauce?
Adding grated sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce base enriches the flavor and adds depth.
- → Is this suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, this dish uses vegetable broth and contains no meat products, making it suitable for vegetarians.