Green Bean Casserole Recipe (from scratch): A Cozy Homemade Comfort Dish

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Green bean casserole is a classic dish that’s perfect for holidays or family dinners. You might think it’s hard to make from scratch, but it’s actually pretty simple. With fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy toppings, homemade green bean casserole tastes much better than the canned version.

You’ll start by cooking the green beans until they’re tender but still crisp. Then you’ll make a tasty sauce with mushrooms, onions, and cream. Mix it all together, top with crunchy breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake until golden. Your family will love this upgraded take on a favorite side dish.

Green Bean Casserole Recipe (From Scratch)

Ready to make a tasty green bean casserole from scratch? Let’s get started!

First, grab these ingredients:

• 2 lbs fresh green beans
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Start by blanching the green beans. Boil them for 5-6 minutes, then plunge into ice water. This keeps them crisp and bright green.

Next, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Add onions and cook until soft. Toss in the mushrooms and garlic, cooking for another 5 minutes.

In the same pan, make a roux with butter and flour. Slowly whisk in the milk to create a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Mix the green beans into the sauce. Pour everything into a baking dish.

For a crunchy topping, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and a dash of garlic powder. Sprinkle this over your casserole.

Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.

Your homemade green bean casserole is ready to serve! Enjoy the fresh flavors and creamy texture.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

Here’s what you’ll need to make green bean casserole from scratch:

• 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup crispy fried onions

Don’t have everything on hand? Try these swaps:

• Use frozen green beans instead of fresh
• Swap cream for milk to make it lighter
• Replace mushrooms with diced bell peppers
• Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian

For the crispy onion topping, you can buy pre-made or make your own:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

Mix flour, panko, salt, and pepper. Coat onion slices and fry until golden brown.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get a large pot of salted water boiling on the stove.

Add your green beans to the boiling water. Cook them for 5-6 minutes until they’re tender but still a bit crisp.

Drain the beans and plunge them into a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process. Once cool, drain again and set aside.

In a large skillet, melt some butter over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms are soft.

Stir in flour and cook for a minute. Slowly pour in milk and broth, stirring constantly. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens.

Mix the green beans into the sauce. Pour everything into a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Top with a mix of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and dried herbs. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.

For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end. Serve your homemade green bean casserole hot and enjoy!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make your green bean casserole ahead of time to save stress on the big day. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. Just add the crispy onions right before baking.

For extra crunch, try mixing in some sliced water chestnuts or chopped nuts. They’ll add a nice texture contrast to the creamy sauce.

Don’t overcook your green beans. Blanch them until just tender-crisp so they keep some bite after baking.

Use fresh mushrooms instead of canned for better flavor and texture. Sauté them before adding to really bring out their taste.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

You can freeze green bean casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture may change slightly, but it’ll still taste great.

For a twist, try different cheeses like Gruyère or sharp cheddar in your sauce. They’ll add extra flavor depth to your dish.