Fresh Green Bean Casserole with Homemade Mushroom Sauce
Fresh green beans, creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and a crispy onion topping come together in this cozy, from-scratch version of the Thanksgiving classic.
Ingredients
For the Beans
- 1½ lbs fresh green beans (trimmed and cut in half)
- 1 tbsp salt
For the Mushroom Cream Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ lb button mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
For the Topping
- 1 cup French fried onions
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Blanch the green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
- Cook the mushrooms. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their juices and turn golden, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Make the sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the broth, stirring constantly, then add the half-and-half. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using.
- Combine. Stir the blanched green beans into the mushroom sauce until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Top and bake. Sprinkle with fried onions and parmesan (if using). Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until bubbling and lightly golden.
- Serve warm. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can make the sauce and beans a day ahead, then assemble and bake just before serving.
- For a lighter version, use milk instead of cream.
- For extra depth, add a splash of white wine to the mushrooms before adding the flour.
- If using homemade fried onions, bake them in advance and store in an airtight container until needed.