Indulgent Green Bean Casserole 🥘🌱

This indulgent green bean casserole elevates the classic comfort food to a whole new level! With a creamy mushroom sauce, crispy fried onions, and a touch of cheese, it's perfect for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or any cozy night in. Your friends and family will be asking for seconds!

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 1 lb fresh green beans (trimmed and halved)
• 2 cups cremini mushrooms (sliced)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

For the topping

• 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Blanch the green beans: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook green beans for about 3-4 minutes until bright green but still crisp. Drain and immediately shock them in ice water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

3. Make the mushroom sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add in the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking until mushrooms are browned and any liquid has evaporated, about 5-6 minutes.

4. Create the roux: Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat. Cook for an additional minute.

5. Add liquids: Gradually whisk in vegetable broth, heavy cream, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

🍄 For a deeper flavor, sauté your mushrooms in a splash of white wine after they've browned!

6. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans and the creamy mushroom sauce. Stir gently to coat the beans thoroughly.

7. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the green bean mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.

8. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine crispy fried onions, Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss until everything is well coated.

9. Top the casserole: Evenly spread the onion mixture over the cheese layer.

10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

11. Cool and serve: Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy the luscious, cheesy goodness!

⚡ This casserole can be made ahead of time! Just assemble it without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pop it in the oven and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

Variations

• Mushroom lovers: Use a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake or portobello, for a more complex flavor profile. 🍄
• Vegan: Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and the butter with vegan margarine. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor!
• Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mushroom sauce for some heat! 🌶️
• Nutty topping: For a different crunch, add sliced almonds to the topping mix for a delightful texture contrast.

This Indulgent Green Bean Casserole is more than just a side dish—it's a heartwarming centerpiece that will steal the show at any meal! 🌟✨ Enjoy!