Amazing green bean casserole: pure joy

Okay, picture this: it’s the holidays, there’s laughter, a little bit of chaos, and this beautiful, creamy, comforting green bean casserole sitting right there on the table. It just *feels* like holidays, doesn’t it? I remember when I first started cooking, seeing this as just another dish, but then I realized making it truly from scratch? That’s a whole different ballgame. It’s like Alex says about finding joy in the kitchen – it’s about taking something familiar and making it amazing with your own hands. This isn’t just any green bean casserole; it’s the one that’ll make everyone ask for the recipe, and it’s WAY easier than you think!

Why You’ll Love This Green Bean Casserole

This isn’t your grandma’s canned soup version (though we love her too!). This is the real deal, and here’s why it’s going to be a new holiday favorite:

• Made From Scratch: You control all the ingredients for that amazing homemade taste.
• Super Creamy & Flavorful: That rich mushroom sauce? It’s pure comfort in a bite.
• Perfect Crispy Topping: Those golden fried onions are just *chef’s kiss*!
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Gets ahead of the holiday rush, seriously a lifesaver.
• Approachable Recipe: Totally doable, even if you’re new to cooking!
• Crowd Pleaser: Guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering.

Ingredients for Your From Scratch Green Bean Casserole

• 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup fried crispy onions

How to Prepare the Best Green Bean Casserole

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Alright, let’s get cooking! Making this green bean casserole from scratch is totally achievable, and honestly, it just tastes so much better. Don’t you love that feeling when you pull something delicious out of the oven that you made yourself? It’s exactly what Alex talks about – that pure joy! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a gorgeous, bubbly casserole with that perfect creamy center and crunchy topping.

Prepping Your Thanksgiving Green Beans

First things first, let’s get our oven preheated to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, we’re going to give our fresh green beans a quick bath. Drop them into some boiling salted water for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them to be bright green and tender-crisp, not mushy! Drain them really well; we don’t want any extra water hanging around.

Creating the Creamy Mushroom Casserole Base

Now, grab a nice big skillet. We’ll add a tablespoon of olive oil and get it nice and warm over medium heat. Toss in your sliced mushrooms and chopped onion. Let those cook down until they’re nice and soft, maybe 5-7 minutes. The kitchen will start smelling amazing right about now! Add your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell its fragrance. Then, stir in 1/4 cup of flour and cook that for a minute, stirring constantly. This is what’s going to thicken our sauce beautifully. Slowly whisk in 1.5 cups of milk and 1/2 cup of chicken broth until everything is smooth and creamy. Let it simmer and thicken up, then season it with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. So easy, right?

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Assembling and Baking Your Green Bean Casserole

Okay, now for the fun part! Gently fold your blanched green beans into that yummy mushroom sauce. Make sure they’re all coated nicely. Pour this beautiful mixture into your 9×13 inch baking dish. Smooth it out evenly. The grand finale? Sprinkle that cup of crispy fried onions all over the top. Bake it for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be bubbly around the edges and for those onions to be a gorgeous golden brown. I love that sound of it bubbling!

Tips for a Perfect Make Ahead Casserole

This green bean casserole is a total lifesaver when you can make it ahead! Seriously, it takes so much pressure off on busy holiday mornings. To get it ready, assemble everything in your baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep perfectly for up to two days. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it straight into the preheated oven. It might need an extra 10-15 minutes of baking time to get nice and bubbly, but trust me, it’s worth it for that fresh-from-the-oven taste without the last-minute fuss!

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Variations for Your Holiday Side Dish

You know, this classic green bean casserole is fantastic as-is, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a bit for your holiday table! If you need a dairy-free option, just swap out the milk for unsweetened almond or oat milk and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a totally different texture, try topping it with toasted slivered almonds or even some panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little garlic powder for an extra punch!

Serving and Storing Your Green Bean Casserole

This creamy, crunchy green bean casserole is honestly a star on its own, but it pairs perfectly with pretty much any holiday main dish! Think roasted turkey, glazed ham, or even a hearty vegetarian roast. Leftovers? Oh, they’re a dream! Just pop any extra casserole into an airtight container and into the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at around 350°F until heated through, or zap it in the microwave for a quick fix. Just try not to overcook those beans!

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Bean Casserole

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Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this amazing green bean casserole is an estimate, since everyone’s kitchen is a little different! Based on the recipe, one serving is roughly:

Calories: 250
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Sodium: 400mg
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g
Sugar: 5g
Cholesterol: 15mg

It’s one of those comforting dishes that feels like a treat but is balanced enough to be a fantastic holiday side!

Share Your Pure Cooking Joy!

Have you made this amazing green bean casserole yet? I’d absolutely LOVE to hear what you think! Drop a comment below, rate the recipe if you can, or share your delicious creations with me on social media. Let’s spread that pure cooking joy!

Classic Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

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A creamy, from-scratch green bean casserole with a crispy onion topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup fried crispy onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion, cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
5. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
6. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth.
7. Bring to a simmer, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and stir to combine.
10. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
11. Top evenly with crispy fried onions.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Notes

• For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole and refrigerate. Bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
• You can substitute dairy-free milk and broth for a dairy-free version.
• To make your own crispy onions, thinly slice an onion, toss with flour, and fry until golden.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg