If you think green beans are boring like me, this green beans casserole might just change your mind, just like it did for me. Fresh, tender green beans are coated in a creamy homemade sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs, butter and cheese and baked until golden and bubbly.
Green Bean Casserole
This is a classic casserole. It is made with green beans and it has a creamy sauce underneath with a crispy topping. Normally it has cream of mushrooms and fried onions added in it. But this recipe is a modified version and it taste just yum. Also check my Chicken & Broccoli Casserole , Baked pasta, Veggie au gratin and Cauliflower and Cheese.
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About Green Bean Casserole
Casserole is a classic dish made with different ingredients like chicken, vegetable, pasta, mushroom or other ingredients that are combined in one baking dish and cooked together. It is usually made with a creamy or red sauce and finished with a golden, cheesy topping.
This green bean casserole is simple to make. It is specially made during Thanksgiving or Christmas family gatherings. It is very easy to make, the green beans are blanched until tender. Then a creamy sauce is prepared with basic ingredients like butter, onion, flour, milk and cream cheese.
The cooked green beans are mixed with the creamy sauce and transferred to a baking dish. It is then topped with butter, breadcrumbs and cheese before baking. Once baked the top turns so crispy.
Traditionally french fried onions is used as topping for green bean casserole. Some times we cannot find it ready made, so I used panko breadcrumbs and it worked just great.
That combination of creamy beans and crispy topping is my favorite part of this casserole. You can serve this green bean casserole with roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or toasted bread or fried chicken.
More Casserole Recipes
Ingredients
- Green beans : I prefer using fresh green beans for this casserole. You can also use frozen or canned green beans if you have one.
- Butter : Butter adds a rich flavour to the creamy sauce and makes it taste even more delicious. I also add some butter on top of the dish before baking.
- Onion : traditional green bean casserole has fried onions as topping. But I added finely chopped onions which is sauted to make the sauce.
- All purpose flour : Flour helps thicken the sauce.
- Milk : Milk is used to make the creamy white sauce. Use full fat milk for the best texture.
- Cream cheese : Cream cheese makes the sauce rich, creamy and slightly tangy.
- Seasonings : this casserole has simple seasoning like salt, pepper and sugar.
- Breadcrumbs : Breadcrumbs are sprinkled on top which turns crispy.
- Cheese : Cheese is added on top before baking. It melts over the breadcrumbs and makes the casserole golden and bubbly. You can use mozzarella, cheddar or a mix of both.
Step by Step Pictures
Blanching green beans
1)Preheat oven to 200 degree C (400 degree F). Cut green beans into long pieces.
2)Heat water in a saucepan, add salt and bring it to a boil.
3)Add green beans in and blanch it for 2 mins.
4)The beans will turn bright green colour.
5)Now strain the beans and set aside.
Make Sauce
6)Now make the sauce. Heat butter in a pan, add onions and saute for 2 minutes.
7)Saute till onions get translucent.
8)Add in flour and mix well.
9)Stir fry the flour for 2 minutes until raw smell leaves from it.
10)Pour in milk into the sauce and mix well.
11)It will thicken immediately. Now add in cream cheese and stir to mix till there is no lumps.
12)Cook this for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
13)Add in salt and pepper to taste.
14)Add in sugar.
15)Season with salt, sugar, pepper and mix well. Your sauce is ready.
Baking Green Bean Casserole
16)Now add in the blanched beans and toss well in the sauce.
17)Let the beans gets coated in the sauce.
18)Spoon this into the baking pan and spread evenly.
19)Now sprinkle top with breadcrumbs. If you have french fries onions, you can sprinkle that on top.
20)Add in butter cubes.
21)and grated cheese.
22)Place this into the preheated oven.Bake this for 25 to 30 mins until golden crispy and bubbly.
23)Remove the pan from oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot.
Expert Tips
No Over Cooking – Don’t overcook the beans. Boil them for just 2 minutes until they turn bright green and slightly tender. Drain them immediately and set aside.
White Sauce – Cook the flour with butter for a minute before adding the milk. This helps remove the raw flour taste. Add the milk little by little while stirring continuously. This helps you make a smooth sauce without lumps.
Strain well – Make sure the green beans are well drained before adding it to the sauce. Excess water can make the casserole soggy.
Topping matters – Add the breadcrumbs and cheese just before baking. This helps the topping stay crispy and golden. You can use panko crumbs instead of regular ones for a more crunchy topping.
Storage – Store the leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days. Reheat them gently in the oven before serving.
Serving – Green bean casserole can be served hot with roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or toasted bread for a delicious meal.
FAQ
Q. Can I use frozen green beans ?
Yes. Frozen beans can be used instead of fresh ones. Blanch them before adding them to the sauce.
Q. Can I add other vegetables ?
Yes, you can add other vegetables like carrots, mushrooms or any of your choice. Just make sure to cook them until soft and tender.
Q. Why is my casserole watery ?
This can happen if the green beans have too much water or the creamy sauce hasn’t thickened enough .Drain the beans well and simmer the sauce until it becomes thick before combining everything.
Q. Can I make this dish ahead of time ?
Yes, you can prepare the green beans and creamy sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, mix everything together, transfer to a baking dish, top it with breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake it until hot and golden.
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Green Bean Casserole Recipe (Homemade Green Bean Casserole)
If you think green beans are boring like me, this green beans casserole might just change your mind, just like it did for me. Fresh, tender green beans are coated in a creamy homemade sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs, butter and cheese and baked until golden and bubbly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Green Bean Casserole Recipe (Homemade Green Bean Casserole)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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