Description
A classic Green Bean Casserole made with fresh or frozen green beans, a creamy homemade sauce seasoned with onion and garlic powders, Dijon mustard, and topped with crispy French fried onions for the perfect comforting side dish.
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 prepare for baking the casserole.
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat along with a bowl of ice water. Add green beans and cook until almost tender, about 3 minutes for fresh or 2 minutes for frozen. Drain and transfer to ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain again and pat dry. Place green beans in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Make Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Dijon mustard. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant, whisking occasionally.
- Add Liquids: Slowly whisk in the vegetable or chicken stock until smooth, then slowly whisk in half and half. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the thickened sauce over the green beans and toss to coat evenly. Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce starts to bubble, about 20 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove casserole from oven, toss the green beans gently, then sprinkle the French fried onions over the top. Return to oven and bake until the onions are golden brown, about 10 more minutes.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken stock instead of vegetable stock if not vegetarian.
- Fresh green beans provide better texture and flavor but frozen works well for convenience.
- Patting green beans dry after blanching prevents excess water from thinning the sauce.
- You can prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate to speed up assembly on baking day.
- French fried onions can be found in most grocery stores in the snack or produce section.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free fried onions.
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: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
