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Creamy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

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Creamy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch is a comforting, homemade take on the classic holiday side dish. Made with fresh green beans, sautéed mushrooms, a rich creamy sauce, and crispy fried onions — no canned soup required. It’s flavorful, fresh, and made entirely from real ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced into rings or strings
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt, pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika (optional, for seasoning)
  • Oil for frying
  • 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup half-and-half (or milk and cream mixture)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: thyme, red pepper flakes, or nutmeg for flavor

Instructions

  1. Make crispy onion strings: Soak sliced onions in buttermilk for about 10–15 minutes. In a bowl, combine flour and seasonings. Dredge onions in flour mixture and fry in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
  2. Blanch green beans: Boil salted water, add green beans, and cook until bright green and crisp-tender (about 3–4 minutes). Transfer to ice water to stop cooking, then drain well.
  3. Prepare creamy sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until soft. Add mushrooms, season, and cook until they release liquid and brown. Stir in garlic and cook briefly.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stir, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Gradually whisk in broth, letting it thicken. Reduce heat and add half-and-half. Simmer until creamy, adjusting seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  5. Combine and bake: Fold in the blanched green beans until coated. Transfer mixture to a greased casserole dish. Top with most of the crispy onions (reserve some for garnish).
  6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. Top with remaining onions before serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Make onion strings ahead or use store-bought crispy onions for convenience.
  • Ensure green beans are well-drained to prevent a watery sauce.
  • Reserve some crispy onions to add right before serving for maximum crunch.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/creamy-green-bean-casserole-from-scratch/