Print

Easy Brown Sugar Bacon Green Bean Casserole – Best Homemade Recipe

brown sugar bacon green bean casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

This creamy, crunchy green bean casserole features a sweet and savory brown sugar bacon topping and a rich scratch-made sauce. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for holiday feasts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • Pinch of black pepper (optional)
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for blanching water
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for exactly 3 minutes. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
  3. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until just starting to get crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
  4. Make the brown sugar bacon topping: In a small bowl, toss the cooked bacon pieces with the brown sugar until well coated. Set aside.
  5. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet with the reserved bacon fat, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and start to brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  6. Make the cream sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously, then add the heavy cream. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Season the sauce: Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Stir in the Parmesan cheese if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Combine everything: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently until all beans are coated. Pour into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  9. Top with brown sugar bacon: Sprinkle the brown sugar-coated bacon pieces evenly over the top.
  10. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and the bacon is caramelized. For extra crunch, broil for the last 1-2 minutes.
  11. Rest and serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use fresh green beans and thick-cut bacon. The bacon topping can burn easily, so watch it closely. The casserole can be assembled a day ahead (without bacon topping) and refrigerated; add bacon topping before baking and increase baking time by 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, brown sugar bacon, homemade, easy, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving, comfort food

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-brown-sugar-bacon-green-bean-casserole-best-homemade-recipe/