Description
This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a rich and comforting side dish featuring fresh green beans smothered in a creamy cheese sauce with crispy bacon and French fried onions. Perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings, it combines tender green beans with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses for a flavorful and satisfying casserole.
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
Pantry
- 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 the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Trim and Blanch Green Beans: Trim the ends off the green beans and cut in half if desired. Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl. Boil salted water in a large pot and blanch the green beans for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer them to the ice bath to stop cooking. Drain and pat the beans dry.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Wipe grease from the skillet and add butter. Over medium-high heat, cook the diced onion until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Make Roux and Sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously. Gradually pour in the milk while stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Add Cream and Cheeses: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in heavy cream, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and half of the cooked bacon and French fried onions until well combined.
- Combine Beans and Sauce: Arrange the blanched green beans evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the beans and stir gently to combine everything.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the remaining bacon and French fried onions on top. Return to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your cheesy green bean casserole!
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor; frozen can be used but adjust blanching time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use reduced-fat cheeses.
- French fried onions add great texture, but you can substitute with panko breadcrumbs toasted in butter for a crunchier topping.
- Make sure to pat dry the green beans after blanching to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; assemble it and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
