01 -
First things first, get those green beans ready. Trim the ends off your fresh green beans, then pop them into a pot of lightly salted boiling water. Let them cook for about 5-7 minutes, until they’re tender-crisp. You want them bright green, not mushy! This is where I always remind myself to *actually* salt the water; it makes the beans taste so much better. Once they’re done, drain them really, really well. I’m talking a good five minutes in a colander, maybe even pat them dry a bit if you’re as paranoid about a watery casserole as I am after my "deconstructed" incident.
02 -
While your beans are draining, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, grab that softened cream cheese – full-fat, remember? – and the condensed cream of mushroom soup. Give them a good whisk until they’re smooth and combined. This is where the magic starts to happen! Don't rush it; you want a nice, creamy base. I once didn't soften my cream cheese enough, and it took forever to get rid of the lumps. Not fun!
03 -
Now, pour in your low-sodium chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, and a generous crack of black pepper. Whisk it all together until everything is beautifully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and aromatic. Oh, the smell of garlic and onion powder hitting that creamy base, it's just so comforting! Taste it here; you might want a tiny pinch of salt, but remember the turkey ham and soup have some already.
04 -
Gently fold in your drained green beans and the diced turkey ham into that glorious creamy sauce. Make sure everything is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. I usually give the dish a light spray with cooking oil first, just to make clean-up a little easier. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You're looking for it to be bubbly around the edges and heated through.
05 -
After that initial bake, pull the casserole out. It should be looking all warm and inviting. Now, for the best part! Sprinkle those crispy fried onions evenly over the top. Don't be shy here; this is where the texture party really begins. I always add a little extra because, honestly, who doesn't love more crispy onions? I once tried to skimp, and my family noticed. Immediately. Oops!
06 -
Return the casserole to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until those crispy fried onions are golden brown and even more fragrant. Keep an eye on them; they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a flash! Once it's out, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set a bit, and honestly, the flavors just meld together even better. It’ll be bubbling and smelling absolutely incredible, trust me!