Green Bean Casserole Onions (Printable version)
Tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
→ Sauce
05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
→ Topping
12 - 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add green beans and cook for 4–5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain again and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and mushrooms; cook for 5–6 minutes until mushrooms are softened and browned.
04 - Stir flour into the vegetable mixture and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in blanched green beans until evenly coated with the creamy mushroom sauce.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining fried onions, and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp.
08 - Let the casserole cool slightly for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- That first spoonful delivers creamy comfort with the most satisfying crunch on top
- It somehow manages to be the dish everyone expects while still feeling special every single time
02 -
- Overcooking the beans during blanching will result in a mushy final texture that no amount of crispy topping can fix
- Adding all the fried onions at the start will make them soggy instead of staying perfectly crisp
03 -
- Homemade fried onions are worth the effort if you have time, using thin onion slices and a light dusting of flour
- A splash of cream in the sauce instead of some milk makes this feel extra indulgent