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Kid-Approved Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Easy Thanksgiving Recipe

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This cheesy green bean casserole swaps canned soup for a from-scratch cheese sauce, uses fresh green beans, and piles on crispy fried onions for a creamy, crunchy, and utterly delicious side dish that converts even the biggest skeptics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
  2. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for exactly 3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and immediately transfer to ice water bath for 2-3 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute until smooth and golden.
  4. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly, and cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until melted. Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and nutmeg (if using).
  6. In a large bowl, combine blanched green beans, cheese sauce, and ¾ cup crispy fried onions. Fold gently until evenly coated. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining ¾ cup crispy fried onions on top, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For make-ahead: assemble casserole without top layer of onions, refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 10 minutes to initial bake time, then add onions and finish. For extra crunchy topping, toast remaining onions on a baking sheet for 3-4 minutes while casserole rests. Shred cheese from a block for smoothest sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, cheesy green bean casserole, Thanksgiving side dish, kid-friendly, easy green bean casserole, from scratch, crispy onions

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/kid-approved-cheesy-green-bean-casserole-easy-thanksgiving-recipe/