Name: Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons salted butter; 1 cup finely diced shallots; 1 cup finely diced mushrooms; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups half and half; 1 ½ cups milk; 2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese; 32 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces; 2 cups French fried onions

This Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday side dish that’s made from scratch without condensed soup. Fresh green beans, a creamy homemade sauce, and crispy fried onions come together in this comforting and flavorful casserole that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade Goodness: This recipe ditches the canned soup for a fresh and flavorful homemade sauce that’s made with simple ingredients.
Easy to Make: With clear instructions and helpful tips, this casserole is surprisingly easy to prepare, even for beginner cooks.
Classic Flavor: It delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional green bean casserole, but with a homemade touch.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Green Bean Casserole:

Salted butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
Shallots: Finely diced, for a mild onion flavor.
Mushrooms: Finely diced, adds a savory depth of flavor.
Kosher salt and ground black pepper: To taste.
Flour: Used to create a roux to thicken the sauce.
Half and half: Creates a rich and creamy sauce.
Milk: Adds lightness and balances the richness of the half and half.
Romano cheese: Adds a salty and slightly tangy flavor.
Green beans: Trimmed and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces, for a tender and vibrant green vegetable.
Fried onions: Such as French’s Fried Onions, for a crispy and flavorful topping.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. While the butter is melting, bring a medium pot of water to a boil for blanching the green beans. Add the finely diced shallots and mushrooms to the melted butter and cook until softened, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir until no lumps remain, creating a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Whisk in the half and half, milk, and Romano cheese. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Blanch the Green Beans

While the sauce is cooking, blanch the green beans in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain the green beans and immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant green color.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Combine the blanched green beans with the prepared sauce and pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the fried onions evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Evenly sized vegetables: Dice the shallots and mushrooms into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Stir the roux: Stir the roux constantly to prevent it from burning.
Don’t overcook the green beans: Blanch the green beans just until tender-crisp to preserve their texture and color.

How to Serve Green Bean Casserole

Holiday Side Dish: This Green Bean Casserole is a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday meal.
Potluck Favorite: It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to transport and serve at potlucks or gatherings.
Weeknight Side: Enjoy it as a comforting and flavorful side dish for any weeknight dinner.