Name: Green Bean Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons kosher salt (for boiling water); 2 pounds French cut green beans, trimmed and halved; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 8 ounces baby Bella or white mushrooms, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 shallot, chopped; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt; ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 substitute); 1 ½ cups vegetable broth; 1 ½ cups half-and-half (or whole milk, or heavy cream for richer sauce); 1 can French’s Crispy Fried Onions, Original; 1 tablespoon olive oil, for drizzling

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This green bean casserole is creamy, savory, and full of fresh flavor. By making the mushroom sauce from scratch, you get a fresher, more indulgent dish without losing the nostalgia of the original. It’s easy to prepare, feeds a crowd, and pairs beautifully with roasted meats and other festive sides. The crispy onion topping adds the perfect crunch to each bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 tablespoons kosher salt (for the water for the beans)
2 pounds French cut green beans, ends trimmed, cut in half
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon regular olive oil (a drizzle)
8 ounces baby Bella or white mushrooms, stems removed, cleaned, and diced
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 3 teaspoons jarred minced garlic)
1 shallot, chopped
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 substitute)
1 ½ cups (360 ml) vegetable broth
1 ½ cups (360 ml) half-and-half (or substitute with whole milk, or heavy cream for a richer sauce)
1 can French’s Crispy Fried Onions, Original (for topping)
1 tablespoon olive oil (a drizzle)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Bring a large pot of salted water (with 2 tablespoons kosher salt) to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, garlic, and shallot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Stir in ¾ teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper.
Sprinkle in flour and stir to coat vegetables, cooking for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
Slowly whisk in vegetable broth, followed by half-and-half. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes).
Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and stir until evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish.
Top with French’s Crispy Fried Onions.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top.
Drizzle with olive oil before serving, if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 8 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

Use heavy cream instead of half-and-half for an extra-rich sauce.
Add shredded Parmesan or Gruyère cheese for a cheesy twist.
Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and certified GF fried onions.
Use almond milk and vegan butter for a dairy-free version.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 15–20 minutes. For best results, add fresh crispy onions on top when reheating to restore crunch.

FAQs

Can I use canned green beans?

Yes, but fresh or frozen green beans give the casserole a better texture and flavor.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the casserole without the onion topping, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake with onions before serving.

Do I have to blanch the green beans?

Blanching keeps them bright and crisp-tender, but you can skip this step if using canned beans.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes, use plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and vegan crispy onions.

What mushrooms work best?

Baby Bella or white mushrooms are ideal, but you can also use cremini or wild mushrooms.

Can I freeze green bean casserole?

Yes, though the onions may lose their crispiness. Freeze without onions, then top with fresh ones after reheating.

How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?

Let it simmer longer or whisk in a bit more flour or cornstarch slurry.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, double all ingredients and use a larger casserole dish for feeding a crowd.

What if I don’t have crispy onions?

You can use breadcrumbs tossed with butter for a crunchy alternative.

How do I keep the topping crispy?

Add the onions just before baking and avoid covering the dish while in the oven.

Conclusion

Green bean casserole is a timeless side dish that brings comfort and nostalgia to the table. With fresh green beans, a rich mushroom sauce, and crispy onion topping, this recipe elevates the classic version into something truly special. Perfect for holidays or family gatherings, it’s a dish that will always have a place on the menu.