Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 bags (16 oz. each) french-cut frozen green beans, cooked and drained very well
- 8 ounces white or button mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large clove garlic, minced (or 2 small cloves)
Meat
- 5 to 6 slices center cut bacon, cut into ½-inch or smaller pieces
Dairy & Pantry
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
Topping
- 3 cups french fried onions, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 350ºF and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Green Beans: Place the cooked and well-drained green beans into a large mixing bowl to prepare for combining with other ingredients.
- Cook Bacon: In a deep sauté pan over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, then transfer them to a paper-towel lined plate to drain excess grease. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the bacon grease, sauté the diced onions over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until they become translucent. Add the chopped mushrooms and continue cooking until they are tender. Remove the cooked onions and mushrooms with a slotted spoon and add them to the bowl with the green beans.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In the same pan with remaining bacon grease, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually pour in milk while whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and bubbles. Stir in fresh thyme, black pepper, then remove from heat and mix in sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted.
- Combine Casserole Mixture: Pour the cheese sauce over the green beans, mushrooms, and onions. Add the crispy bacon and gently stir until all ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy cheese sauce.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the green bean mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with the french fried onions to add crunch.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Ensure green beans are well-drained to avoid a watery casserole.
- Use fresh thyme for best flavor, but dried thyme works fine as a substitute.
- The bacon grease adds great flavor; do not discard it when sautéing the vegetables and making the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of french fried onions according to your preferred level of crunch.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- For a lighter version, low-fat milk can be substituted, but the sauce may be less creamy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
