Print

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Crispy Onion Topping

creamy green bean casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

This creamy green bean casserole features fresh green beans, sautéed mushrooms, and a homemade rich, velvety sauce, all topped with a golden, crispy onion and breadcrumb topping. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holidays or any family gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or frozen, thawed and patted dry)
  • 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (substitute gluten-free flour if needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
  • 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
  • Optional: 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the center.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5-6 minutes until browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  4. Sprinkle flour over mushrooms, stir and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, until sauce thickens (about 4-5 minutes).
  5. Stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg (if using), and Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. In a mixing bowl, toss blanched beans with mushroom sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle optional add-ins (pecans, cheddar) if using.
  7. In a small bowl, mix crispy fried onions, melted butter, and panko breadcrumbs. Spread topping evenly over casserole.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until sauce is bubbling and topping is golden brown. If topping browns too quickly, cover lightly with foil for last 10 minutes.
  9. Let casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, use fresh green beans and sauté mushrooms until well browned. Add half the crispy onions before baking and the rest in the last 5 minutes for extra crunch. Make ahead by assembling without topping, refrigerating up to 24 hours, then adding topping and baking. Easily adapted for gluten-free or vegan diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, holiday side, Thanksgiving, Christmas, creamy casserole, crispy onions, vegetarian, comfort food, easy side dish

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/creamy-green-bean-casserole-recipe-with-crispy-onion-topping-easy-holiday-side/