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Cozy Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

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This cozy cheesy green bean casserole with crispy fried onions is my best attempt at catching that memory of Aunt Carla’s version. It ditches the canned soup and goes for real, honest ingredients that actually taste like something.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk, warm
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and cook for exactly 3 minutes. Drain and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
  3. Cook the mushrooms and onion: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and start to brown. Add minced garlic and cook for one more minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Make the cheese sauce: In the same skillet, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking constantly. Add heavy cream and whisk until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add the cheese: Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Add softened cream cheese and stir until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and nutmeg.
  6. Combine everything: Add blanched green beans and mushroom-onion mixture to the skillet with cheese sauce. Stir gently until coated. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Make the topping: In a small bowl, mix crispy fried onions, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Optionally, broil for the last 2 minutes for extra color.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the blanching step. Warm your milk before adding to the roux. Grate your own cheese. Let the casserole rest after baking. Toast panko before adding for extra crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, cheesy green bean casserole, crispy onions, Thanksgiving side dish, comfort food, vegetarian casserole

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-cheesy-green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-onions/