Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Green beans: Fresh and trimmed, these are the star of the dish.

Mushrooms: Adds a rich, earthy flavor to the sauce.

Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base for the sauce.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of spice.

Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables.

All-purpose flour: Helps to thicken the sauce.

Vegetable broth: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.

Unsweetened almond milk: A dairy-free alternative that keeps the sauce creamy.

Fried onions: Provides a crunchy, flavorful topping.

Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to taste.

When making the mushroom sauce, ensure you sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables and stir continuously to avoid lumps. Gradually adding the vegetable broth and almond milk while stirring will help achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.

• green beans - Substitute with asparagus: Asparagus has a similar texture and can provide a slightly different but complementary flavor.

• sliced mushrooms - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini offers a similar texture and absorbs flavors well, making it a good alternative.

• diced onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a milder onion flavor and a slightly different texture that works well in casseroles.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic, which can add a different depth to the dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a slightly different flavor and has a similar cooking profile.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and is gluten-free, making it a good alternative.

• vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth can add a deeper umami flavor to the casserole.

• unsweetened almond milk - Substitute with unsweetened soy milk: Soy milk has a similar consistency and neutral flavor, making it a good substitute.

• fried onions - Substitute with toasted breadcrumbs: Toasted breadcrumbs can provide a similar crunchy texture on top of the casserole.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and a different flavor profile to the casserole.

• Allow the green bean casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.

• Transfer the casserole to an airtight container. If you prefer, you can also cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

• Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.

• For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. First, ensure it is completely cooled. Then, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil and place it in a large freezer bag.

• When freezing, it's a good idea to leave off the fried onions topping. Instead, add them fresh when you reheat the casserole to maintain their crispy texture.

• Label the container with the date and contents before placing it in the freezer. The casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through. Add the fried onions during the last 5 minutes of reheating to crisp them up.

• To reheat from frozen, it's best to thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as above. If you're in a hurry, you can reheat directly from frozen, but it will take longer—approximately 45-60 minutes. Again, add the fried onions during the last 5 minutes.

• For a quicker reheating option, you can use the microwave. Transfer a portion of the casserole to a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power in 2-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot. Add the fried onions after microwaving to keep them crispy.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the leftover green bean casserole to an oven-safe dish if it’s not already in one.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the fried onions from burning.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp the fried onions.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the green bean casserole in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check the temperature and heat in additional 30-second increments if needed.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Add a small amount of vegetable broth or unsweetened almond milk to a skillet to prevent sticking.
  2. Transfer the green bean casserole to the skillet and cover with a lid.
  3. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.
  4. If the fried onions lose their crispiness, you can add a fresh layer of fried onions on top before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the green bean casserole in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the fried onions from burning.
  4. Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through. Remove the foil for the last 3-5 minutes to re-crisp the fried onions.

• Large pot: Used to bring water to a boil and cook the green beans until tender but still crisp.

• Colander: Essential for draining the cooked green beans after boiling.

• Large skillet: Needed to sauté the onions, mushrooms, and garlic, and to prepare the mushroom sauce.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the vegetables and combining the flour with the vegetable broth and almond milk.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the vegetable broth, almond milk, and other ingredients accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring smaller quantities like olive oil and minced garlic.

• Baking dish: Required for transferring the green bean and mushroom mixture before baking.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) for baking the casserole until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

• Knife: Used for trimming and cutting the green beans, as well as dicing the onions and slicing the mushrooms.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the green beans with the mushroom sauce before transferring to the baking dish.

Pre-cook the green beans: Boil the green beans in advance and store them in the fridge to save time on cooking day.

Use pre-sliced mushrooms: Buy pre-sliced mushrooms to cut down on prep time.

Frozen diced onions: Opt for frozen diced onions to eliminate chopping time.

Pre-minced garlic: Use pre-minced garlic from a jar to save time.

Ready-made fried onions: Purchase ready-made fried onions to skip the frying step.

One-pot method: Cook the sauce in the same pot used for boiling the green beans to reduce dishwashing.