Homemade Green Bean Casserole: Creamy & Simple Recipe (Print Version)

Homemade Green Bean Casserole: An easy, creamy recipe from scratch! Skip the can & make this comforting classic for your family. Fresh & delicious.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian (if using veggie broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Casserole Base

01 - 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 8 oz cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
03 - 1 yellow onion, diced
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Creamy Sauce Essentials

05 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 - 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

→ Crispy Topping

11 - 1 (6 oz) can crispy fried onions, divided

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those beautiful green beans ready! Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in your trimmed fresh green beans and let them cook for about 3-5 minutes, just until they're tender-crisp and bright green. This is where I always forget to salt the water, but it makes a difference! Immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking and preserve that vibrant color. Drain them well; nobody wants a watery casserole, right?
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add your sliced mushrooms and cook them until they're golden brown and all their liquid has evaporated. This can take a bit, so be patient! Then, toss in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Oh, the smell at this stage is just heavenly, it's the start of something amazing for our casserole. Don't rush it.
03 - Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed veggies, stirring constantly for about a minute. This creates a roux, thickening our sauce later. Slowly, and I mean *slowly*, whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth, making sure there are no lumps. Then, pour in the heavy cream. Keep whisking until the sauce starts to thicken and bubble gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Honestly, this is where the magic happens for your casserole!
04 - Stir the blanched and drained green beans into the creamy sauce in your skillet. Make sure everything is well coated. If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle about half of the crispy fried onions over the top. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the casserole is heated through. I once forgot this step and just served it from the stove – still good, but not quite the same! This casserole needs that oven time.
05 - Take the casserole out of the oven. Sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions evenly over the top. Return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and extra crispy. Keep an eye on them, because they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a flash—I speak from experience! You want that irresistible crunch to finish off your casserole.
06 - Once it’s out of the oven, let your casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes. This lets the sauce settle and prevents it from being too runny. Trust me, it’s worth the wait. The aroma fills the kitchen, and it looks so inviting. Serve it warm and watch it disappear! It’s truly a crowd-pleaser and always a hit at my table.

# Notes:

01 - Always blanch your fresh green beans; it keeps them vibrant and prevents a watery casserole.
02 - Don't rush sautéing the mushrooms; browning them properly adds huge depth of flavor.
03 - Using heavy cream instead of milk makes all the difference for a truly rich, velvety sauce.
04 - For an extra touch, a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving brightens the flavors and looks lovely.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven (or 9x13 inch baking dish)
03 - whisk
04 - colander
05 - ice bath

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 8g

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