Green Bean Casserole from Cooks Illustrated

Elevate your holiday table with this Green Bean Casserole from Cooks Illustrated—an irresistible twist on the classic side dish that's bursting with flavor! This recipe swaps canned ingredients for fresh green beans and a homemade creamy mushroom sauce, delivering a truly rich and satisfying experience. The combination of sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and onions creates a deeply savory base, while a touch of heavy cream and soy sauce adds luxurious depth. Topped with golden, crispy fried onions, this casserole bakes to bubbly perfection in just 20 minutes. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special occasion, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish that celebrates fresh ingredients and bold flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 ounces white mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups crispy fried onions (store-bought or homemade)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch them for 4-5 minutes until bright green and slightly softened. Drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cool, drain thoroughly and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and the mushrooms have released their moisture.

Step 4

Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to combine.

Step 5

Slowly whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the blanched green beans, ensuring they’re well coated with the sauce.

Step 7

Transfer the green bean mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Step 8

Scatter the crispy fried onions over the top in an even layer.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the onion topping is golden brown.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1498.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3407.7

Total Fat 268.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 244mg	0%
Sodium 5211.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 217.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.1g	0%
Total Sugars 46.0g
Protein 40.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 495.7mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 2037.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.1%

Protein: 4.7%

Carbs: 25.2%