Description

Ultimate Green Bean Casserole: a creamy, cheesy, irresistibly crispy side dish that upgrades the classic. Tender green beans mingle with a rich mushroom sauce, melted cheddar, and a golden crown of fried onions. This crowd-pleasing recipe blends butter, garlic, and cream for depth, with optional soy for extra umami. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or cozy weeknights—make-ahead friendly and guaranteed to wow with every bake, as its sauce clings without turning mushy and the topping stays crisp.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed and cut in half)
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
8 oz mushrooms (sliced)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp soy sauce (optional, for umami flavor)
1 cup crispy fried onions (halal-certified or homemade)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Steam or boil green beans for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms; sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in broth, then cream, stirring until the sauce thickens (about 3–5 minutes).
Stir in cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Add green beans to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Transfer mixture to the baking dish.
Top with extra cheese and crispy fried onions.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a golden topping.

Notes

Use vegetable broth to keep this vegetarian.
For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
Leftovers refrigerate well; reheat in the oven to maintain crisp topping.
To boost umami, add a touch more soy sauce or a dash of Worcestershire (check label for dietary needs).

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: Approximately 450 per serving
Sugar: Approximately 6 g
Sodium: Approximately 800 mg
Fat: Approximately 32 g
Saturated Fat: Approximately 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 24 g
Fiber: Approximately 3 g
Protein: Approximately 14 g
Cholesterol: Approximately 110 mg

Keywords: ultimate green bean casserole, creamy mushroom sauce, cheesy green beans, crispy fried onions, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving side, Christmas side