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Creamy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole

creamy make-ahead thanksgiving green bean casserole - featured image
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A stress-free, creamy green bean casserole made with a fresh roux, cream cheese, and crispy fried onions. Perfect for Thanksgiving, this dish can be assembled the night before to save time on the day of the holiday.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh green beans
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1.5 cups fried onions (canned)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prep the green beans by washing them and trimming off the stem ends. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Blanch the green beans in the boiling water for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  3. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Transfer the blanched beans to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain and pat dry.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes until light golden and nutty.
  5. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking to prevent lumps. Add garlic, Dijon mustard, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  6. Reduce heat to low and add the softened cream cheese. Whisk until completely melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Add the blanched green beans to the sauce and stir to coat. Pour into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  8. Mix the fried onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  9. Let cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
  10. To serve, bake uncovered at 350°F for 20-25 minutes (add 10-15 minutes if baking from cold) until hot and bubbly.

Notes

Do not skip the blanching step to ensure beans retain texture. Shock in ice water to lock in color. If baking from the fridge, add 10-15 minutes to baking time. Cover with foil if onions are browning too quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving, green bean casserole, make-ahead, holiday side dish, creamy, comfort food, vegetarian

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-make-ahead-thanksgiving-green-bean-casserole-easy-holiday-side/