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Cozy Southern Loaded Green Bean Casserole Recipe with Crispy Onions

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A comforting Southern-style green bean casserole loaded with smoky bacon, creamy mushroom sauce, sharp cheddar cheese, and topped with crispy fried onions for a perfect blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half (or frozen, thawed and patted dry)
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces (225g) cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 cup (240ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 ½ cups (about 150g) frozen crispy fried onions
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional but recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 4-5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and set aside. (If using frozen green beans, thaw and pat dry.)
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  4. Add butter to the skillet with bacon fat. Once melted, add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until mushrooms are soft and browned.
  5. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir well to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, toss blanched green beans with mushroom sauce, cooked bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
  7. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly and sprinkle frozen crispy fried onions on top.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and onions are golden brown. If onions brown too quickly, loosely cover casserole with foil.
  9. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not skip blanching green beans to keep them crisp-tender and vibrant. Use bacon fat for sautéing veggies for extra flavor. Stir sauce patiently to avoid lumps. Watch crispy onions closely while baking to prevent burning; tent with foil if needed. Let casserole rest before serving for easier scooping and flavor melding.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, southern casserole, loaded green beans, crispy onions, bacon casserole, comfort food, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/cozy-southern-loaded-green-bean-casserole-recipe-with-crispy-onions/