Description
This Green Bean Casserole recipe features tender blanched green beans enveloped in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with butter, flour, spices, Dijon mustard, chicken stock, and half and half. Topped with crispy French fried onions and baked until bubbly and golden, this classic dish makes a comforting and delicious side perfect for holiday meals or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 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
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Add the green beans and cook until almost tender—about 3 minutes for fresh beans or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and immediately transfer the beans to the ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain again and pat dry.
- Prepare the Casserole Base: Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center position. Transfer the blanched green beans to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Cream Sauce: 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 for about 2 minutes until fragrant, whisking occasionally.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Slowly whisk in the chicken or vegetable stock until smooth. Then whisk in the half and half. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Coat: Pour the thickened sauce over the green beans in the baking dish and toss gently to coat the beans evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the oven and bake until the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss the green beans.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake until the onions are golden brown and crispy, about 10 minutes more.
Notes
- Using fresh green beans gives the best texture, but frozen works well for convenience.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute heavy cream for half and half.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- French fried onions can be substituted with homemade crispy shallots or panko breadcrumbs for a different crunch.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium stock and adjust added salt accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
