French-Cut Green Bean Casserole
A creamy green bean casserole with cheese, mushrooms, and pimiento, topped with Ritz cracker crumbs. Perfect as a comforting side dish for family dinners or holidays.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make a cream sauce by melting butter, then stirring in flour and salt.
- Gradually add chicken broth and Kraft cheese spread, stirring until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in diced pimiento and sliced mushrooms into the sauce.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the drained French-cut green beans in a casserole dish.
- Top with Ritz cracker crumbs.
- Bake at 350°F until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier sauce, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or sour cream to the mixture. You can substitute the Kraft cheese spread with cream cheese or any cheese of your choice. If you want to enhance the flavor, add garlic powder or onion powder. This recipe is great for using up leftover green beans from other meals.
Serving Suggestions
This French-Cut Green Bean Casserole pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or any holiday main dish. Serve it alongside mashed potatoes or a fresh salad for a complete meal. For a comforting dinner, consider serving it with Chicken Pecan Salad or Hash Brown Surprise to round out your table.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for quicker reheating, but the oven will keep the crispiness of the cracker topping.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of French-Cut Green Bean Casserole contains roughly 1823 calories, with 1g protein, 2g carbohydrates, and 201g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 627mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh green beans! Just blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes before adding them to the casserole. This will ensure they are tender yet crisp after baking.
Is there a vegetarian option for this casserole?
Absolutely! You can easily make this casserole vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and ensuring that the cheese spread is free from animal rennet or other animal products.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole a day in advance. Assemble it up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply bake it directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).