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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.