Description
A delicious and creamy Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with crispy bacon and crunchy fried onions, perfect for a comforting side dish or holiday meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 1/2 lbs fresh green beans
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
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
Other
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups French fried onions
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 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.
- Prepare Green Beans: Trim ends of green beans and cut 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 for 4 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Wipe out the skillet of excess grease, then add butter. Over medium-high heat, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Make Roux: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add Milk and Seasoning: Slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Combine Cheese and Cream: Remove from heat, then stir in heavy cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add Bacon and Onions: Stir in half of the cooked bacon and half of the French fried onions into the cheese sauce.
- Assemble Casserole and Bake: Place the blanched green beans in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the green beans and stir to combine evenly. Bake for 25 minutes at 350°F.
- Top and Final Bake: Remove casserole, top with remaining bacon and French fried onions. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your cheesy green bean casserole!
Notes
- Blanching green beans helps maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and increase the cheese slightly.
- For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cheeses and milk alternatives.
- French fried onions can be found in most grocery stores or substituted with crispy fried shallots.
- Make sure to stir the sauce constantly when adding flour and milk to avoid lumps.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; just refrigerate before baking and add extra bake time if baking from cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
