Description
This rich and savory Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is an elevated take on the classic holiday side dish. By skipping the canned soup and building a velvety, from-scratch cheddar cheese sauce, this recipe delivers deep flavor and a luxurious mouthfeel. Fresh, blanched green beans provide a vibrant pop of color, while a generous topping of crispy fried onions adds the perfect crunch to every bite. It is a crowd-pleasing, comforting side that pairs perfectly with any main course.
Ingredients
2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
1.5 cups whole milk
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
6 oz crispy fried onions
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and blanch the fresh green beans for 4 minutes.
Drain the beans and immediately plunge them into an ice water bath, then pat dry thoroughly.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute to create a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and pepper.
Combine the blanched beans and cheese sauce in a large baking dish.
Top with crispy fried onions.
Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
Ensure you pat the green beans dry after the ice bath to keep your sauce from becoming watery. Using freshly shredded cheddar cheese is recommended as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg