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Lightened-Up Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

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A lighter, fresher take on the classic green bean casserole, featuring a creamy homemade cheese sauce, tender green beans, and a crunchy crispy onion topping. Perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
  • 1 ½ cups low-fat milk (2%)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika

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: Add trimmed beans to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice water for 2 minutes. Drain well and pat dry.
  3. Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Gradually add shredded cheddar, whisking until melted. Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using.
  6. In a large bowl, toss blanched green beans with cheese sauce until coated. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until bubbly and onions are golden brown.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch. For extra crunch, toast crispy onions on a baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before adding. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead without onions; add onions before baking and add 5-10 minutes to bake time.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, lightened-up, cheesy, crispy onions, Thanksgiving, side dish, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/lightened-up-cheesy-green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-onions/