Not Just for the Holidays
The mouth-watering turkey is obviously the main attraction on Thanksgiving, but the supporting cast of side dishes is what makes the feast memorable. Sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. But perhaps one of the most versatile Thanksgiving staples is green bean casserole.
Always rich and creamy, green bean casserole isn’t just for the holidays. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a pot-luck barbecue or a family picnic in the summer.
Topped with crunchy fried onions, this dish is always a crowd-pleaser. And you don’t have to spend much time making it.
If you’re heading out to enjoy some festivities at someone’s home and you want to bring along this tasty contribution, spend just 30 minutes preparing the dish and finish the cook in the oven at your destination. In half an hour you have an impressive, tasty addition to the event!
It’s also a good way to break up the week with an exciting side dish that will have your taste buds calling for more!
Why wait all year for that creamy, crunchy deliciousness we all love around the holidays? Bring this green bean casserole recipe to your next summer outing and watch some mouths start to water!
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 lb green beans
- 6 slices bacon cut into 1/4 inch strips
- 3 Tbsp garlic minced
- 1/2 each large yellow onion chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup half & half
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° degrees.
- Cook bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat for ~2 minutes.
- Add garlic and onions and cook for another 5 minutes, until onions are browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a saucepan melt butter and add flour, stirring constantly.
- Cook roux for 2 minutes, then add half and half and water (if needed). Cook another 2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Add spices and cheese to the mixture and stir constantly until the cheese is fully incorporated.
- Add bacon/onion mixture and stir. Add green beans and carefully stir to mix in.
- Pour the completed mixture into the baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake until sauce begins to bubble through golden brown breadcrumbs, ~30 minutes.
- Top with crunchy fried onions to take this dish to the next level!
