Green Beans And Water Chestnuts With Sour Cream And Herb Sauce
A delightful vegetable side featuring tender green beans, crunchy water chestnuts, and a creamy herb sauce topped with toasted bread crumbs, perfect for family dinners or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh green beans or 2 (10 oz.) packages frozen green beans ⓘ
- 1 (5 oz.) can water chestnuts or 1 cup diced celery, cooked 5 minutes ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
- 1/2 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. marjoram ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1/2 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs ⓘ
Instructions
- Clean and cut green beans into 1-inch pieces.
- Cook green beans until tender and drain.
- Slice water chestnuts.
- Saute chopped onion in butter until golden.
- Add thyme, marjoram, salt, white pepper, sour cream, and milk to the onion mixture and heat without boiling.
- Combine cooked green beans, sliced water chestnuts, and onion mixture in a buttered 1.5-quart casserole.
- Mix bread crumbs with melted butter.
- Sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top of the casserole.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until crumbs are browned.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding minced garlic when sautéing the onion. If you don't have water chestnuts, diced celery can work, though it will change the texture slightly. You can also experiment with fresh herbs like dill or parsley instead of thyme and marjoram for a different taste profile. For added creaminess, increase the sour cream to 3/4 cup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish as a delightful side to roasted chicken or grilled fish for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with Tangy Orange Cheese for a flavor contrast. For a vegetarian twist, consider serving it alongside a hearty grain salad. This casserole is also great for potlucks and family gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, to avoid overcooking the beans.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Green Beans And Water Chestnuts With Sour Cream And Herb Sauce contains roughly 309 calories, with 5g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (77% of the Daily Value), calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1049mg per serving (46% 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 make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole a day in advance. Assemble it without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply bake it as directed, possibly adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
What can I substitute for sour cream?
If you prefer a lighter option, Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream, providing a similar creaminess with less fat. Alternatively, you can use a dairy-free sour cream if you're following a vegan diet.
Is it possible to freeze the casserole?
Freezing this casserole is possible, but the texture of the green beans may change upon thawing. To freeze, cool the dish completely, then cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
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).