Get ready to revolutionize your dinner table with a plant-based twist on a classic American favorite! This Green Bean Casserole with Cashew Cream isn't just another side dish – it's a creamy, crunchy, and absolutely irresistible experience that will make even die-hard dairy lovers forget about traditional recipes. Packed with nutrition, bursting with flavor, and incredibly easy to prepare, this dish is about to become your new go-to comfort food that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 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 cooking spray or olive oil.
- Begin by soaking raw cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes prior to preparation. This will soften them and make blending easier.
- Wash and trim green beans, cutting them into roughly 2-inch pieces. Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender, then immediately transfer to an ice water bath to stop cooking.
- Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a high-speed blender. Pour in vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and blend until smooth and creamy, creating a rich cashew cream sauce.
- In a skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic in a small amount of olive oil until translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Drain the blanched green beans and pat them dry. Mix the beans with the cashew cream sauce, sautéed onions and garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Transfer the green bean mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes serving easier.
Tips
- Cashew Soaking Secrets: For the smoothest cashew cream, soak nuts in hot water for at least 30 minutes. The longer they soak, the creamier your sauce will be.
- Blanching Brilliance: Don't overcook your green beans! Keep them bright green and slightly crisp by using the ice bath technique after boiling.
- Breadcrumb Perfection: For extra crunch, consider mixing your breadcrumbs with a little nutritional yeast or dried herbs before sprinkling on top.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare this casserole up to a day in advance. Just add the breadcrumbs right before baking to keep them crisp.
- Customize Your Cream: If you're not a fan of nutritional yeast, try adding roasted garlic or herbs to your cashew cream for extra flavor depth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
