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Green Bean Casserole Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen
Introduction
Green bean casserole is a classic comfort food that’s often associated with holiday meals and family gatherings, but when you elevate it with fresh green beans, crispy fried onions, and a rich cheese sauce, it goes from a simple side dish to a showstopper. This version features crispy bacon, aromatic garlic, and a luscious combination of Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, making it a dish that will surely steal the spotlight on your dinner table.
Let’s dive into how you can make this indulgent and flavorful green bean casserole that your family and friends will absolutely love!
First things first, let’s get our prep work done. We need to measure out the flour, milk, bacon, and green beans. Next, dice your onion and set it aside.
Blanch the Green Beans:
Start by blanching the fresh green beans. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook them for about 3-4 minutes, just until they turn bright green and are slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch. Be careful not to overcook them. Immediately transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for the next step.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce:
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux. This will help thicken the sauce.
Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. The cheeses will melt into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Combine the Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and the creamy cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the green beans are evenly coated. Gently fold in 1 cup of crispy fried onions, saving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping the casserole.
Taste as you go and adjust the flavor as needed. Add the bacon and mix to combine.
Why This Green Bean Casserole Stands Out:
1. Fresh Green Beans
While canned green beans are traditional for this dish, fresh green beans provide a much more vibrant and crisp texture. The blanching process retains their bright color and ensures they stay slightly firm in the casserole.
2. Bacon
Crispy bacon adds an irresistible smokiness and crunch that elevates the dish from basic to amazing. It’s the perfect complement to the rich, creamy sauce.
3. Cheese Sauce
The Gruyère cheese brings a nutty, savory depth, while Parmesan adds a salty, sharp kick. Together, they create a velvety sauce that coats the green beans beautifully.
4. Crispy Fried Onions
Topping the casserole with crispy fried onions adds a crunchy texture and classic flavor, which perfectly balances the richness of the cheese sauce and bacon.
5. Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a Sunday family dinner, this green bean casserole is the perfect side dish to serve alongside your favorite roasted meats or mashed potatoes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will be asking for seconds of!
Assemble the Casserole:
Transfer the green bean mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved crispy fried onions over the top of the casserole for that extra crunch and flavor.
Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for about 25-30 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy. If you want an extra crispy topping, you can place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. The creamy, cheesy green bean casserole with crispy bacon and fried onions is ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for Making the Best Green Bean Casserole:
- Prep Ahead: You can blanch the green beans, cook the bacon, and make the cheese sauce ahead of time. Just assemble everything and bake when you’re ready to serve.
- Add More Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more Gruyère or even some shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy kick.
- Texture Variations: For extra texture, you can add crushed crackers or breadcrumbs on top in addition to the fried onions. This adds an extra layer of crunch.
- Make it a Meal: Add some shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey to turn this side dish into a main course. It’s a great way to repurpose leftover poultry!
This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon, Crispy Fried Onions, and Gruyère Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic, full of flavor and texture. With a creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and golden fried onions on top, it’s the perfect dish to impress your guests and add a bit of decadence to your holiday spread. Enjoy!
Print & Download: Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- AP Seasoning and Buttery Garlic Pepper
- 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions, divided (for topping and mixing)
Instructions
Prep Work:
- First things first, let’s get our prep work done. We need to measure out the flour, milk, bacon, and green beans.
- Next, dice your onion and set it aside.
Blanch the Green Beans:
- Start by blanching the fresh green beans.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook them for about 3-4 minutes, just until they turn bright green and are slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch. Be careful not to overcook them. Immediately transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until it’s crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for the next step.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
- In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking the mixture, whisking occasionally, until it thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. The cheeses will melt into the sauce, creating a smooth and creamy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Combine the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and the creamy cheese sauce.
- Stir everything together until the green beans are evenly coated.
- Gently fold in 1 cup of crispy fried onions, saving the remaining 1/2 cup for topping the casserole.
- Taste as you go and adjust the flavor as needed. Add the bacon and mix to combine.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Transfer the green bean mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the reserved crispy fried onions over the top of the casserole for that extra crunch and flavor.
Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the casserole for about 25-30 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the top is golden brown and crispy.
- If you want an extra crispy topping, you can place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
- The creamy, cheesy green bean casserole with crispy bacon and fried onions is ready to be enjoyed!
Notes
- Prep Ahead: You can blanch the green beans, cook the bacon, and make the cheese sauce ahead of time. Just assemble everything and bake when you’re ready to serve.
- Add More Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more Gruyère or even some shredded cheddar for an extra cheesy kick.
- Texture Variations: For extra texture, you can add crushed crackers or breadcrumbs on top in addition to the fried onions. This adds an extra layer of crunch.
Love love love your cooking!!!
Add cream instead of milk