Green Bean Casserole
A delicious Green Bean Casserole made with fresh green beans, beef bacon, and white cheddar cheese.
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 slices thick-cut beef bacon, diced
- 0.5 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces fresh button or cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed, halved, and blanched
- 1 can quality French fried onions or gluten-free French fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the beef bacon until crispy. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Tip: Make sure to drain excess fat to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Add the chopped onions to the skillet and cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Then, add the chopped mushrooms and minced garlic, cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are soft.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set it aside for now.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour, cooking for about 2 minutes until it slightly deepens in color. Tip: This step helps to create a roux, which will give your sauce a nice texture.
- Slowly add the half-and-half and chicken broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Add the shredded white cheddar cheese to the sauce, whisking until melted and smooth. Stir in the mushroom and bacon mixture, followed by the salt and pepper. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and stir until well combined.
- Pour the entire mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish. Tip: Use a spatula to spread it evenly for uniform baking.
- Sprinkle the French fried onions generously on top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the onions are golden and crispy.
- Once done, let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Tip: This resting time helps the casserole set up a bit, making it easier to serve.
Notes
For a twist, try adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top before baking for extra flavor.