Green Bean Casserole Crispy Onions (Printable)

Tender green beans in creamy mushroom sauce topped with crispy fried onions. A cozy addition to holiday meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender and bright green. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and mushrooms, and sauté until the mushrooms release their liquid and become golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, vegetable broth, and heavy cream. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat. Add the blanched green beans to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
06 - Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
07 - Remove from the oven, sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the onions are golden and the casserole is bubbling.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade sauce makes everything taste like it came from a fancy restaurant, not a can
  • That moment when the crispy onions hit the hot sauce and everyone leans in closer
02 -
  • The ice bath step is non-negotiable, it keeps the beans from turning into sad, gray mush
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving, or the sauce will be too thin and runny
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients help the sauce come together smoother without any lumps
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add more broth a tablespoon at a time until it's right

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