Creamy Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms and Crispy Onions Recipe
This classic Green Bean Casserole offers a creamy, savory side dish featuring tender green beans mixed with a rich mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions and golden panko breadcrumbs. A perfect addition to holiday meals or family dinners, this recipe blends traditional flavors with a delightful crunchy topping for a satisfying comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 lb fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
- 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy & Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups fried onions, divided
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Liquids
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Green Beans: Rinse, trim, and cut the fresh green beans in half. Set them aside for cooking.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Garlic: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, kosher salt, and pepper, sautéing until the mushrooms are tender and their moisture has evaporated, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce Base: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat. Cook the flour for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw taste, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add Broth and Cream: Gradually pour in the vegetable or chicken broth while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Add the heavy cream and continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Green Beans and Sauce: Add the prepared green beans to the creamy mushroom sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the fried onions. Toss these ingredients together to mix thoroughly.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the green bean mixture into a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the prepared topping evenly over the surface. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of fried onions on top to add extra crunch.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set, then enjoy this creamy and crunchy green bean delight as a perfect side dish to your main meal.
Notes
- You can use either cremini or white mushrooms depending on your flavor preference; cremini offer a deeper earthy flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Fresh green beans provide the best texture and flavor, but you can substitute with frozen if fresh is unavailable—just be sure to thaw and drain them well.
- Do not skip the panko and fried onion topping as it adds essential texture contrast to the creamy casserole base.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
Keywords: green bean casserole, holiday side dish, mushroom sauce, creamy casserole, fried onion topping