Southern Green Bean Casserole
A creamy and savory casserole made with fresh green beans, mushrooms, and crispy onions; perfect for family gatherings or holiday dinners.
Ingredients
Casserole Base
- 2 tbsp butter (salted) For sautéing
- 8 oz white mushrooms (sliced) Any variety of mushrooms can be used for different flavor
- ½ small yellow or Vidalia onion (sliced into thin strips) Used in both the sauce and the casserole
- 2 cups whole milk Substitutions can include low-fat milk for a lighter version
- 2 tbsp corn starch For thickening the sauce
- ½ tsp salt Adjust according to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper Adjust according to taste
- 4 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium) Enhances flavor without excess sodium
- 8 cups cut green beans (fresh or frozen) Fresh green beans recommended for best texture
- ½ small yellow or Vidalia onion (sliced into thin strips) Used in the sauce
- 1 cup all-purpose flour For making homemade French fried onions
- to taste Oil for frying Sufficient oil for frying onions
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a saucepan, add the green beans and cover with water.
- Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to high.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low-medium and cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the cooked green beans and place them in a greased 13" x 9" baking dish.
- Slice the mushrooms and half of the onion.
Cooking the Sauce
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and half of your sliced onion. Cook until the mushrooms are soft and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- In a measuring cup, combine the milk, cornstarch, low-sodium soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Whisk to avoid lumps.
- Pour the mixture into the skillet with the cooked mushrooms and onions. Stir well and regularly until it thickens, about 5-10 minutes on low-medium heat.
Baking
- Once thickened, pour the mixture over the green beans in the baking dish and carefully stir to coat.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the top with homemade French fried onions.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, use a mix of mushrooms like cremini and shiitake. If you want more crunch, add more French fried onions on top before serving. You can make the sauce ahead of time and assemble the casserole just before baking to simplify prep.