Homemade Green Bean Casserole: Creamy & Crispy Side (Print Version)

Homemade Green Bean Casserole is a creamy, crispy side dish, perfect for any meal. Learn my simple recipe with a few personal touches!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 ½ lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 1 ½ cups whole milk

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - ½ cup vegetable broth
08 - 1 tsp soy sauce
09 - ½ tsp black pepper, or to taste
10 - ½ tsp salt, or to taste

→ Creamy Goodness

11 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - ¼ cup sour cream

→ Crispy Topping

13 - 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those green beans ready. Trim the ends off your fresh green beans – you know, the tough bit where they were attached to the plant. Then, give them a quick blanch. Drop them into a pot of boiling, salted water for about 3-4 minutes. You want them tender-crisp, still with a little bite, not mushy. This is where I always forget to salt the water, oops! Immediately drain them and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking and keep that vibrant green color. Drain them again really well; no one wants a watery homemade green bean casserole.
02 - Now for the flavor base! In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt a couple tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add your finely diced yellow onion and let it cook down until it’s soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir it frequently so it doesn’t brown too much. Then, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. Don't let it burn, or it’ll taste bitter, and that's a mistake I've made more times than I care to admit!
03 - This is where the magic happens for our creamy sauce! Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes, letting the flour cook out a bit. It’ll form a thick paste, a roux. This step is essential for a smooth sauce, trust me. It might look a little clumpy at first, but keep stirring, and it’ll smooth out. You’ll smell a slightly nutty aroma; that’s how you know it’s ready!
04 - Gradually, and I mean *gradually*, whisk in the whole milk and vegetable broth. Start with a small splash, whisk until smooth, then add more. This prevents lumps, and honestly, a lumpy sauce is just sad. Once all the liquid is incorporated, bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. It should coat the back of a spoon. Reduce the heat, then stir in the cream cheese and sour cream until completely melted and smooth. Season with soy sauce, salt, and black pepper to your liking. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust.
05 - Gently fold your blanched green beans into that glorious, creamy sauce until they're all coated. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish (or back into your oven-safe skillet). Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until it's bubbly around the edges and slightly golden. I always peek through the oven door, crossing my fingers it looks as good as it smells!
06 - After 20 minutes, pull the casserole out. Generously sprinkle those crispy fried onions all over the top. Put it back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes, just until the onions are golden brown and extra crispy. Keep an eye on them, they can burn fast! Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. The aroma filling your kitchen right now? That's the smell of pure, unadulterated comfort. A truly delicious homemade green bean casserole!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook the green beans in the first step; they'll get more cooking time in the oven, and nobody likes mushy beans.
02 - This casserole actually tastes better the next day, so make it ahead! Just store it covered in the fridge and reheat gently.
03 - If you're out of fresh green beans, frozen ones work, but let them thaw and drain really well or you'll get a watery casserole.
04 - A little sprinkle of fresh thyme or chives right before serving adds a lovely fresh pop.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
03 - whisk
04 - 9x13 inch baking dish

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 8g

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