Barefoot Contessa Green Bean Casserole

This Ina Garten Green Bean Casserole is made with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, crispy fried onions, garlic, whole milk, and a dash of salt and pepper. It takes around 45 minutes to prepare and bake to perfection. You can serve your Green Bean Casserole with Navajo Fry Bread, Rum Balls or French Bread Pizza.

To prepare this Green Bean Casserole, Ina starts by preheating the oven and blanching the green beans. She then sautés onions and mushrooms in a skillet, adds garlic, and creates a creamy sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, and slowly adding milk. After combining all the ingredients, she pours the mixture into a baking dish and bakes it until it’s bubbly. Finally, she adds a layer of crispy fried onions on top and bakes for an additional 5 minutes to achieve that irresistible crunch.

Barefoot Contessa Green Bean Casserole Ingredients

• 1 lb. green beans, trimmed
• 6 tbsp. butter, divided
• 1 onion, sliced into half-moons
• 8 oz. sliced mushrooms
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups French fried onions

How To Make Barefoot Contessa Green Bean Casserole

1. Preheat and Prepare Green Beans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Boil green beans for about 6 minutes until they turn bright green. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned green beans. Quickly move them to an ice bath to stop the cooking, drain, and set aside in a large bowl.
2. Cook Onion and Mushrooms: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. Combine this mixture with the green beans in the bowl.
3. Make Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add milk while whisking and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 4 minutes. This homemade cream sauce adds depth to the dish. Mix this sauce with the green bean mixture in the bowl.
4. Bake the Casserole: Pour the green bean mixture into the skillet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until it’s warm and bubbly. If you’ve prepared this dish ahead of time and refrigerated it, make sure to let it come to room temperature before baking.
5. Add the Crunch: Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle French fried onions on top. Never skip this step for that signature crunch. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.

What To Serve With Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole pairs excellently with various proteins like steak, pork chops, and chicken. Seafood options like salmon and shrimp also complement the dish. For a more balanced meal, consider adding vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli. Cheesy pasta and different types of potatoes can round out the meal for a comforting touch.

How To Store Green Bean Casserole

In The Fridge:

Green bean casserole can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to use an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you’ve prepared the casserole in advance, you can store it in the fridge without the toppings like crispy onions for up to 2 days.

In The Freezer:

Store your Green Bean Casserole in an airtight container and it’s best to consume it within 1-2 months for optimal taste.

How To Reheat Green Bean Casserole

To reheat the casserole, you can use either the oven or the microwave. If using the oven, preheat it to 350°F and bake the casserole for about 20-25 minutes or until it’s heated through. If you’re using the microwave, heat it in intervals of 30 seconds until warm. Always check the temperature before serving.

Check out More Recipes From Ina Garten:

• Ina Garten Chicken Marsala
• Barefoot Contessa Beef Tenderloin
• Ina Garten Butternut Squash Lasagna