Description
This classic Green Bean Casserole recipe features tender green beans enveloped in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with butter, flour, Dijon mustard, and a blend of aromatic spices. Topped with crispy French fried onions and baked to golden perfection, this dish is a comforting side perfect for holiday dinners and family gatherings.
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 with a rack in the center position to ensure even baking.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until almost tender—about 3 minutes for fresh or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and immediately transfer to a large bowl of ice water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain again and pat dry. Place the green beans in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Dijon mustard. Cook while whisking intermittently until the mixture is fragrant and starts to bubble slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Slowly whisk in the stock until smooth, then gradually whisk in the half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it thickens into a creamy sauce, approximately 5 minutes.
- Combine Sauce and Beans: Pour the cream sauce over the green beans in the baking dish and toss gently to coat them evenly.
- Bake Initial Layer: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake until the sauce begins to bubble, about 20 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven, toss the green beans gently, then sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake until the onions are golden brown and crispy, approximately 10 minutes more.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken stock or vegetable stock.
- French fried onions can be substituted with crispy fried shallots for a different twist.
- You can prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate for convenience.
- Ensure green beans are dried thoroughly after blanching to prevent a watery casserole.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
