Description
A classic and creamy Green Bean Casserole made with fresh or frozen green beans, a savory cream sauce infused with Dijon mustard and spices, topped with crispy French fried onions for a perfect holiday side dish or comforting meal addition.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Beans
- 2 pounds fresh or frozen green beans
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 cups half and half
Topping
- 1 ½ cups French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and position the rack in the center.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for about 3 minutes if fresh or 2 minutes if frozen until almost tender. Drain and immediately plunge into an ice water bath for 2 minutes to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry, then transfer to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Dijon mustard. Cook while whisking for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the stock until the mixture is smooth. Then whisk in half and half gradually. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the cream sauce over the green beans in the baking dish and toss to coat evenly. Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and gently toss the green beans. Sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake until the onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
Notes
- For extra flavor, substitute chicken stock with mushroom broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
- If fresh green beans are not available, frozen green beans work well and save prep time.
- Make sure to dry green beans well after blanching to avoid a watery casserole.
- If preferred, substitute half and half with heavy cream for a richer sauce, though it increases fat content.
- French fried onions add the perfect crispy topping but can be substituted with toasted breadcrumbs for a homemade texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
