Old-School Green Bean Casserole (Printable view)

Tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for festive meals.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or frozen, thawed and drained)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 9 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1½ cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

# How To Make:

01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F.
02 - Boil salted water in a large pot. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook mushrooms for 5–6 minutes until browned. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and vegetable broth. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using.
05 - Add drained green beans to skillet and toss to coat evenly with sauce.
06 - Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 25 minutes until bubbling.
08 - Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining onions on top, and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until golden and crisp.
09 - Allow dish to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Classic comfort food for family gatherings
  • Easy to make ahead for busy holiday prep
02 -
  • Traditional fried onions can contain wheat and soy always check labels for allergens
  • This dish can be prepared a day in advance and baked before serving
03 -
  • For extra flavor add sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese to the sauce
  • Use a whisk when adding flour and liquids for the smoothest texture
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