Special Green Bean Casserole
A creamy green bean casserole with mushrooms, cheese, and crunchy almonds, perfect for family dinners and holiday gatherings seeking comforting, flavorful vegetable side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 c. butter or oleo ⓘ
- 1/4 c. flour ⓘ
- 1 c. light cream ⓘ
- 3/4 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 2 tsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 3 or 4 pkg. frozen French-cut green beans ⓘ
- 5 oz. sliced water chestnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 c. toasted almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute mushrooms and chopped onion in butter until tender.
- Add flour and cook until smooth.
- Gradually add light cream, stirring constantly.
- Add grated Cheddar cheese, hot pepper sauce, soy sauce, pepper, and salt; stir until cheese melts.
- Add frozen French-cut green beans, sliced water chestnuts, and toasted almonds.
- Simmer until heated through and flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using half-and-half instead of light cream. If you want a bit more crunch, substitute the toasted almonds with crushed potato chips or even French fried onions. You can also add cooked chicken or turkey for extra protein, making it a heartier dish. This casserole can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving, which is perfect for busy holiday dinners.
Serving Suggestions
This Special Green Bean Casserole is a fantastic side dish for holiday meals or family gatherings. It pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham and can be served alongside other favorites like Grandma's Easy Pie. For a complete meal, consider adding a fresh salad, such as Orange Walnut Salad, to balance the richness of the casserole.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover green bean casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until warm. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain texture and flavor.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Special Green Bean Casserole contains roughly 1052 calories, with 28g protein, 49g carbohydrates, and 88g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (108% of the Daily Value), vitamin D (59% of the Daily Value), and protein (56% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 frozen?
Absolutely! If using fresh green beans, blanch them for about 3-4 minutes in boiling water before adding them to the casserole. This will help them maintain their vibrant color and crunch. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure they are tender but not mushy.
What can I substitute for the Cheddar cheese?
If you're looking for a different cheese flavor, you can use Gruyère or Monterey Jack as alternatives to sharp Cheddar. For a dairy-free option, try using a plant-based cheese that melts well. Just make sure to choose a flavor that complements the other ingredients in the casserole.
Is this casserole suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, this casserole is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat. However, always check that the butter or oleo used is vegetarian. To enhance the dish, consider adding more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, which are also great additions to vegetarian recipes.
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).