A creamy, flavorful green bean casserole with fresh ingredients, a rich mushroom sauce, and the perfect crispy topping that elevates this classic dish to new heights.
I’m Elena, and I’ve spent years perfecting what I believe is the World’s Best Green Bean Casserole. When I first moved to America from Florence, I was introduced to this iconic dish at a Thanksgiving dinner. While I appreciated its comforting appeal, I knew I could elevate it using techniques from my Italian cooking heritage. After countless experiments and taste tests with my family, I’ve created a World’s Best Green Bean Casserole that honors tradition while bringing out the best possible flavors. This recipe has become the most requested dish at every family gathering, and I’m excited to share my secrets with you.
What You’ll Find Here
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
Unmatched Flavor Profile
First, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole features a rich, homemade mushroom sauce with depth and complexity. Moreover, the balance of creamy and crispy textures creates an irresistible eating experience.
Made with Fresh Ingredients
Additionally, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole uses only fresh, high-quality ingredients. Therefore, you avoid the canned soup base found in many recipes, resulting in superior taste and texture.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Furthermore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole shines at holiday gatherings but works equally well for weeknight dinners. Consequently, it has become my versatile go-to dish throughout the year.
Crowd-Popping Results
Similarly, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole consistently receives rave reviews from everyone who tries it. Thus, you’ll feel proud to serve this dish to family and friends.
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
Fresh Vegetable Components
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh green beans | 2½ pounds, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces |
| Cremini mushrooms | 12 ounces, sliced |
| Yellow onion | 1 large, finely diced |
| Garlic | 3 cloves, minced |
| Shallots | 2, finely minced |
Premium Sauce Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 5 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | ⅓ cup |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup |
| Whole milk | 1 cup |
| Chicken or vegetable broth | ¾ cup |
| Worcestershire sauce | 2 teaspoons |
| Soy sauce | 1 teaspoon |
| Fresh thyme | 1 teaspoon, chopped |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Nutmeg | ⅛ teaspoon |
Ultimate Topping
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Panko breadcrumbs | 1 cup |
| Fried onions | 1½ cups |
| Parmesan cheese | ½ cup, grated |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons, melted |
How to Make World’s Best Green Bean Casserole
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a 3-quart baking dish.
- Blanch green beans in salted boiling water for 4 minutes, then transfer to ice bath.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté mushrooms until golden brown, about 8 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook onions and shallots until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and thyme, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and broth until smooth.
- Add Worcestershire, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, simmer until thickened.
- Return mushrooms to the sauce, then fold in green beans.
- Transfer to prepared dish and top with panko, fried onions, and Parmesan.
- Drizzle with melted butter and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Cooking Timeline
| Step | Action | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven and prepare dish | 5 minutes |
| 2 | Blanch green beans | 8 minutes |
| 3 | Sauté mushrooms | 8 minutes |
| 4 | Cook aromatics | 6 minutes |
| 5 | Make sauce | 10 minutes |
| 6 | Assemble casserole | 5 minutes |
| 7 | Bake | 25-30 minutes |
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 10-12
Calories per serving: 280
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version. Additionally, substitute turkey broth for chicken broth if preferred. Furthermore, gluten-free flour works well in this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole.
How to Make It Healthier
Reduce butter by one-third and increase mushrooms for more volume. Moreover, use low-fat milk and reduce the amount of topping. Therefore, you can enjoy a lighter version of this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole.
Serving Ideas
Pair with roasted turkey or ham for a classic holiday meal. Additionally, serve alongside old fashioned green bean casserole to compare traditional versus elevated versions. Furthermore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole complements greenbean casserole recipe for a green bean feast. For an unexpected fusion, try it with miso mushroom udon or spicy sesame yaki udon.
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole Storage and Reheating
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Additionally, freeze portions for up to 2 months. Therefore, you can enjoy this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole long after the special occasion.
Reheating Tips
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Moreover, add fresh topping before serving to restore crispness. Consequently, your World’s Best Green Bean Casserole will taste freshly made.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t skip blanching the green beans, as this ensures proper texture. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the pan when sautéing mushrooms, which prevents proper browning. Therefore, following these tips guarantees perfect World’s Best Green Bean Casserole every time.
World’s Best Green Bean Casserole FAQs
What makes it the best green bean casserole?
What makes this the best green bean casserole is the combination of fresh ingredients, homemade mushroom sauce, and the perfect crispy topping. Additionally, the technique of sautéing mushrooms separately until golden brown adds incredible depth. Therefore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole delivers superior flavor and texture compared to traditional recipes.
How do you make it from scratch?
To make green bean casserole from scratch, start with fresh green beans and create a homemade sauce with butter, flour, cream, and seasonings. Additionally, sauté mushrooms separately for maximum flavor before combining everything. Therefore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole avoids canned soups entirely for superior taste.
Can it be made ahead?
Yes, you can make this casserole ahead by preparing it completely and refrigerating for up to 24 hours before baking. Additionally, you can freeze it unbaked for up to 1 month. Therefore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole is perfect for holiday planning and advance preparation.
What topping is best for it?
The best topping combines crispy fried onions, panko breadcrumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Additionally, drizzling with melted butter before baking ensures perfect golden crispness. Therefore, this World’s Best Green Bean Casserole features the ultimate crunchy topping that complements the creamy filling.
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Conclusion
This World’s Best Green Bean Casserole represents the pinnacle of comfort food, combining the best of American tradition with the attention to detail I learned in my Italian grandmother’s kitchen. The rich, homemade sauce, perfectly cooked green beans, and irresistible crispy topping create a dish that will become the star of any meal. Try serving it with garlic butter udon stir-fry for an unexpected but delicious fusion, or bring it to your next holiday gathering and watch it disappear first. This recipe embodies my philosophy that simple ingredients, prepared with care and love, create the most memorable meals. Buon appetito!
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World’s Best Green Bean Casserole | Ultimate Comfort Food
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings
Description
A creamy, flavorful green bean casserole with fresh ingredients, a rich mushroom sauce, and the perfect crispy topping that elevates this classic dish to new heights.
Ingredients
2½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
12 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 large yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, finely minced
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1½ cups fried onions
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a 3-quart baking dish.
2. Blanch green beans in salted boiling water for 4 minutes, then transfer to ice bath.
3. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sauté mushrooms until golden brown, about 8 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.
5. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook onions and shallots until soft, about 5 minutes.
6. Add garlic and thyme, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
7. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes.
8. Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and broth until smooth.
9. Add Worcestershire, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, simmer until thickened.
10. Return mushrooms to the sauce, then fold in green beans.
11. Transfer to prepared dish and top with panko, fried onions, and Parmesan.
12. Drizzle with melted butter and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
For extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon of dry sherry or white wine when sautéing the mushrooms.
You can assemble this casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.
To make gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Add crispy bacon bits or toasted slivered almonds to the topping for extra crunch and flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
