Description
Whip up an Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole recipe that feels like a hug. My family’s favorite, with creamy sauce and crispy onions. So easy!
Ingredients
- The Bean & Creamy Base:
- Fresh Green Beans (1 ½ lbs)
- Unsalted Butter (4 tbsp)
- Cremini Mushrooms (8 oz, sliced)
- Yellow Onion (1 small, finely diced)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- All-Purpose Flour (4 tbsp)
- Chicken Broth (2 cups)
- Whole Milk (1 cup)
- Flavor Builders:
- Fresh Thyme (1 tbsp, chopped)
- Nutmeg (¼ tsp, freshly grated)
- Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- The Crispy Crown:
- Crispy Fried Onions (1.5 cups)
Instructions
- Prep Your Green Beans:: First things first, let’s get those beautiful green beans ready. Snap off the tough ends, you know the drill. Then, in a large pot of salted boiling water – and yes, you gotta salt the water, it seasons the beans from the inside out – blanch the green beans for about 3-5 minutes. We’re looking for tender-crisp here, not mushy. I always pull one out and give it a taste test, don’t be shy! Once they’re just right, drain them immediately and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking and lock in that vibrant green color. This step is crucial for the perfect Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole, trust me!
- Sauté the Aromatics:: Now for the good stuff! In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven (I love my trusty cast iron for this), melt the butter over medium heat. Add your sliced cremini mushrooms and diced yellow onion. Sauté them gently, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are beautifully browned and the onions are soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. This is where the kitchen starts to smell absolutely divine, honestly. Don’t rush this part; those caramelized flavors are building the foundation for your Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole. I once tried to speed this up and ended up with sad, pale veggies. Learn from my oops!
- Build the Creamy Sauce:: Next up, stir in your minced garlic and cook for just about 1 minute until it’s fragrant – don’t let it burn! Then, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour over the veggies, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out that raw flour taste. It’ll form a thick paste, a roux, and that’s exactly what we want. Slowly, gradually, whisk in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Then, pour in the whole milk. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and smooths out. This is the heart of our Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole!
- Season and Combine:: Once your sauce is lovely and thick, stir in the fresh thyme, freshly grated nutmeg, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Now, taste it! This is your moment to adjust the seasoning. Does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Trust your palate! Gently fold in your blanched green beans until they’re completely coated in that glorious, creamy sauce. This step always makes me so happy, seeing all those vibrant green beans nestled in the rich sauce. It’s almost ready to become the Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole we all crave.
- Top with Crispy Onions:: Transfer the green bean mixture to your prepared baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe. If it is, just make sure it’s smoothed out nicely. Now, for the best part: sprinkle about half a cup of those crispy fried onions evenly over the top. These aren’t just for decoration; they add that crucial crunch and savory flavor. I’ve been known to ‘sample’ a few extra at this stage, purely for quality control, of course. This layer is what really makes this an Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop your casserole into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the onions are golden brown. About 5 minutes before it’s done, take it out and sprinkle the remaining cup of crispy fried onions over the top. Put it back in for those last few minutes to get them perfectly toasted and warm. When it comes out, the kitchen will smell like heaven, and you’ll have the most Extra-Comforting Green Bean Casserole, with a beautifully bubbly, creamy interior and a delightfully crunchy topping. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, honestly, it’s worth the wait!