Homestyle Creamy Green Bean Bake with Crispy Shallots (Print Version)

Our homestyle creamy green bean bake recipe brings comfort! Learn how to make this delightful side dish with fresh beans & homemade sauce.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Fresh Bean Base

01 - 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Rich Cream Sauce

04 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
05 - 4 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 1:1 GF flour blend)
06 - 1.5 cups whole milk
07 - 0.5 cup heavy cream
08 - 0.5 cup chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
11 - Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

→ Crispy Topping

12 - 2 large shallots, thinly sliced into rings
13 - 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (optional, for extra crispness)
14 - 0.5 cup vegetable oil, for frying

→ Flavorful Extras

15 - Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish (optional)
16 - A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get a big pot of salted water boiling like crazy. While that’s heating up, trim the ends off your fresh green beans. Once the water is at a rolling boil, drop those beans in for about 3-4 minutes. You want them bright green and tender-crisp, not mushy. Immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking. This step is crucial for that vibrant color and perfect bite; I learned this the hard way after serving sad, dull beans once!
02 - In a large skillet, melt a good chunk of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once it’s bubbly, whisk in the flour. Keep whisking for about 1-2 minutes until it forms a pale, golden paste. This is your roux, the thickening magic for your creamy green bean bake. Don't rush this part; cooking out the raw flour taste is important, or your sauce will taste... floury, honestly.
03 - Slowly, and I mean slowly, whisk in the whole milk, heavy cream, and broth. Do it gradually to avoid lumps—I've battled many a lumpy sauce in my day! Bring it to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. It should feel velvety and smell absolutely divine. Season with salt and pepper to taste; remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it away.
04 - In a separate small pan, melt a little more butter. Add your minced garlic and sliced shallots. Sauté them until they're fragrant and softened, about 3-5 minutes. You want them translucent, not browned, which can make them bitter. This step adds so much depth to the overall flavor of the creamy green bean bake, it’s worth the extra pan, trust me.
05 - Gently stir the blanched green beans and the sautéed aromatics into your creamy sauce. Pour this beautiful mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. At this point, your kitchen should be smelling incredible! Give it a little stir to make sure everything is evenly distributed. This is where the magic really starts to happen in the oven.
06 - Pop the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and heated through. Then, pull it out and sprinkle generously with your homemade crispy fried shallots. Return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, just until those shallots are golden and even crispier. The golden-brown topping and bubbling sauce are what you're aiming for, for a truly comforting creamy green bean bake.

# Notes:

01 - My secret for tender-crisp beans? A quick ice bath after blanching, honestly, it makes all the difference!
02 - You can totally prep the sauce and blanch the beans a day ahead. Just store them separately in the fridge.
03 - Ran out of shallots? Onions work, but the flavor won't be quite as sweet. I've tried it; it's okay.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh thyme after baking just elevates this creamy green bean bake.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - large skillet
04 - 9x13 inch baking dish
05 - whisk
06 - small pan for shallots

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 320 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 6g

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