Description
Elevate your holiday table with this gourmet Green Bean Casserole. Featuring fresh blanched green beans, a velvety scratch-made mushroom béchamel, and a savory crunch from premium smoked beef bacon, this dish is a sophisticated upgrade on a classic comfort food. Perfectly balanced with fresh garlic and Parmesan, it provides a deep, umami-rich experience without any pork, ensuring a delicious and inclusive side dish that everyone at your table will adore.
Ingredients
2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched
6 slices beef bacon, chopped into small pieces
1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced thinly
1 cup heavy cream
6 oz fried onions
3 cloves garlic, minced finely
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for 4 minutes until bright green.
Drain the beans and submerge in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.
Fry the beef bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy.
Remove the bacon and reserve 2 tablespoons of rendered fat.
Sauté the mushrooms in the reserved bacon fat until browned and moisture evaporates.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, simmering until the mixture thickens slightly.
Combine the blanched green beans, bacon bits, and mushroom sauce in a baking dish.
Top with fried onions and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Use high-quality beef bacon to ensure a deep smoky flavor. Freshly blanched green beans provide a better texture than canned versions. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though the topping will lose its crispness.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg