Description
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a comforting and flavorful side dish featuring fresh green beans smothered in a creamy cheese sauce with crispy bacon and topped with crunchy French fried onions. Perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 1/2 lbs fresh green beans
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Meat
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
Pantry
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups French fried onions
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Prep green beans. Trim ends of green beans and cut beans in half, if desired. Set aside.
- Blanch green beans. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the green beans by cooking them for 4 minutes. Transfer beans to the ice bath to halt cooking process. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook bacon. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess grease. Set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic. Wipe grease from skillet then add butter. Return to medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Make roux and cheese sauce. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Pour in milk while stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Remove from heat, then stir in heavy cream, grated cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir in half of the cooked bacon and half of the French fried onions.
- Assemble casserole. Arrange blanched green beans in the prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over the beans and stir gently to combine.
- Bake casserole. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Add final topping and bake. Remove casserole from oven. Top with remaining bacon and French fried onions, then bake for an additional 5 minutes until onions are golden brown.
- Serve. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your cheesy green bean casserole!
Notes
- For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes instead of baking at the end.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- You can substitute turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- To save time, prep the sauce while the green beans blanch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
