Name: Green Bean Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 pound fresh green beans (trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces); 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for the blanching water); 4 tablespoon unsalted butter; 8 ounce cremini mushrooms (finely chopped); 1 medium shallot (minced); 3 clove garlic cloves (minced); ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth; 1 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 ½ cup French fried onions (divided)

Instructions

Blanch the beans
Blanch the beans:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil. Add 1½ pounds green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and plunge into a bowl of ice water, then drain well and pat dry.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms:
Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces chopped cremini mushrooms and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, until browned and their liquid evaporates. Add 1 minced shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.
Creamy sauce
Creamy sauce:
Sprinkle ¼ cup all-purpose flour over the mushrooms and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth and 1 cup whole milk and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until thick. Stir in 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
Assemble
Assemble:
Remove from the heat and stir in the green beans and ½ cup of the French fried onions. Spread the mixture in a 2-quart (8x11-inch) baking dish.
Bake
Bake:
Bake the green bean casserole for 20 minutes, until bubbling. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup French fried onions over the top and bake for 5 minutes more, until the onions are golden. Serve warm.

Tips

Blanching the beans and shocking them in ice water keeps them bright green and crisp-tender instead of mushy. Chop the mushrooms finely so the sauce is creamy and smooth, like the classic version. Add the fried onions right before the last 5 minutes so they stay crunchy.

Storage

Make ahead: assemble the casserole without the fried onions, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days, then add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Serve green bean casserole alongside roast turkey, our crockpot turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce for a classic Thanksgiving dinner.