Get ready to transform your ordinary green beans into a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for seconds! This Garlic Parmesan Green Bean Casserole is not just another side dish – it's a creamy, crispy, flavor-packed sensation that elevates humble green beans to restaurant-worthy status. Imagine tender green beans swimming in a luxurious garlic cream sauce, topped with a golden-brown Parmesan crust and crispy fried onions that will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fried onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
- Wash the fresh green beans thoroughly and trim off the tough ends. Cut the beans into approximately 2-inch pieces for even cooking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Immediately drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
- In a mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, minced garlic, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk the mixture until well combined.
- Drain the green beans from the ice bath and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Arrange the blanched green beans in the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Pour the garlic cream mixture evenly over the green beans, ensuring all beans are coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top of the beans.
- Top the casserole with fried onions, distributing them evenly across the surface.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cream is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
- Serve hot as a delicious side dish, garnishing with additional fresh ground black pepper if desired.
Tips
- • For the brightest green beans, don't skip the ice bath after blanching – it stops the cooking process and locks in that vibrant green color. • Make sure to pat the green beans completely dry before adding the cream sauce to prevent a watery casserole. • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting properties. • For extra crunch, you can mix some toasted breadcrumbs with the fried onions for the topping. • If you want to prep ahead, you can blanch the green beans and prepare the cream sauce a day in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving. • For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich. • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the sauce to set and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 178kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
