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Classic Green Bean Casserole

The Thanksgiving classic — tender green beans folded into a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crisp fried onions and baked until bubbling. Comfort food that's been on the table for generations.

Classic Green Bean Casserole — a complete Thanksgiving recipe

Prep time

15 min

Cook time

35 min

Total time

About 50 min

Yield

Serves 8 (9x9 baking dish)

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 8 oz mushrooms (cremini or button), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1.5 cups crispy fried onions (store-bought), divided

About 190 kcal per serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. Blanch the green beans

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook 5–6 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking; drain again and pat dry.

  2. 2

    2. Make the mushroom sauce

    In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

  3. 3

    3. Thicken the sauce

    Gradually whisk in the milk and broth, stirring until smooth. Simmer 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens into a loose gravy. Season with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

  4. 4

    4. Combine and bake

    Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Fold the blanched green beans and 1 cup of the crispy onions into the sauce. Spread into a buttered 9x9 baking dish, top with the remaining onions, and bake 25–30 minutes until bubbling and golden on top.

Chef's notes

  • ★Make ahead: assemble through step 3 (without the top onions), refrigerate up to 1 day, then add the topping onions and bake.
  • ★For a from-scratch upgrade, use fresh mushrooms and homemade cream sauce instead of canned soup.
  • ★For a vegan version, swap the butter and milk for olive oil and unsweetened plant milk.