Description
Green bean casserole from Barefoot Contessa elevates this classic holiday side dish with crispy shallots and fresh ingredients. Home cooks can easily prepare this comforting recipe that brings warmth and elegance to any seasonal gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) green beans, trimmed
- 8 oz (226 g) sliced mushrooms
- 1 onion, sliced into half-moons
- 6 tbsps (85 g) butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (36 g) French fried onions
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Blanch Beans: Plunge green beans into boiling salted water for 5-6 minutes until brilliantly green. Shock in ice water, drain completely, and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a heavy skillet, melt butter and sauté onions until translucent. Add mushrooms, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until deeply caramelized and rich brown.
- Craft Creamy Sauce: Within the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Dust with flour, whisking thoroughly to eliminate raw flavor. Slowly incorporate milk, stirring consistently until sauce thickens and smoothly coats utensil, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Assemble and Bake: Fold cream sauce into vegetable mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating. Transfer to baking dish, spreading evenly. Roast in preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until edges become effervescent and center warms completely.
- Finish and Crisp: Sprinkle French fried onions across casserole surface. Return to oven for 4-5 minutes, allowing topping to transform into a golden, crispy crown.
Notes
- Blanch Beans Perfectly: Ensure vibrant green color by boiling beans exactly 5-6 minutes and shocking in ice water to stop cooking process, preserving crisp texture and bright appearance.
- Caramelize Mushrooms Strategically: Sauté mushrooms and onions over medium heat until deep golden-brown for maximum flavor development, releasing natural sugars and creating rich, complex taste profile.
- Whisk Sauce Smoothly: Eliminate lumps by continuously whisking flour and milk, cooking until sauce reaches thick, velvety consistency that coats spoon without being runny or overly dense.
- Crisp Onion Topping Technique: Add French fried onions during final 4-5 minutes of baking to achieve perfect golden crunch without burning, ensuring textural contrast and appetizing appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg