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Kid-Approved Crispy Green Bean Casserole | Easy 25-Minute Side

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This Kid-Approved Crispy Green Bean Casserole comes together in 25 minutes flat. The green beans stay bright and tender-crisp, the creamy sauce is rich without being heavy, and the crispy topping stays crunchy even the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim the ends off your green beans and cut them in half into bite-sized pieces (about 2 inches long).
  2. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the green beans and cook for exactly 2 minutes. Drain immediately and plunge into a bowl of ice water. Let sit for a couple minutes, then drain well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  3. Start the sauce: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the roux: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is thick and pasty and smells nutty and toasty.
  5. Add the milk and cream: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Then add the heavy cream. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Season the sauce: Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Combine everything: Add the blanched green beans to the sauce. Stir gently until every bean is coated. Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  8. Make the topping: In a small bowl, mix the crispy fried onions, panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese (if using). Toss until every crumb is coated in butter. Sprinkle evenly over the green beans.
  9. Bake until golden: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly around the edges.
  10. Rest before serving: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after coming out of the oven to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

Don’t skip the blanching step for perfect tender-crisp green beans. Watch your heat with the sauce—medium heat and constant stirring prevent scorching. The panko breadcrumbs are key to a crunchy topping that stays crispy. You can assemble the casserole (without topping) a day ahead; add topping and bake with 5 extra minutes. Double the recipe for a crowd using a 9×13 pan and add 5-7 minutes to baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, crispy green bean casserole, kid-friendly side dish, easy side dish, 25-minute recipe, Thanksgiving side, comfort food

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/kid-approved-crispy-green-bean-casserole-easy-25-minute-side/