Old School Green Beans (Printable)

Creamy mushroom sauce envelops tender green beans, crowned with crispy fried onions and rich flavors.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 2 pounds frozen cut green beans, thawed and drained)

→ Sauce Base

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 9 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

13 - 1½ cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until tender and browned. Add onion and garlic; cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and vegetable broth. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
05 - Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
06 - Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle half of the crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until bubbling.
08 - Remove from oven; sprinkle with the remaining fried onions. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Creamy texture and rich flavor
  • Perfect for holiday gatherings and family dinners
02 -
  • To make ahead, assemble up to baking and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add onions and bake before serving.
  • Contains dairy and gluten, be sure to check ingredient labels for allergies.
03 -
  • Use fresh green beans for best texture and flavor.
  • Blanch beans briefly and rinse under cold water to keep them bright green.
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