Ina Garten’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe: A Cozy Classic

Ina Garten green bean casserole transforms ordinary vegetables into a spectacular side dish that dazzles dinner tables everywhere.

Comfort food enthusiasts adore this classic recipe for its rich, creamy texture and bold flavors.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of taste that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated.

Crisp green beans provide a vibrant foundation for layers of delectable complexity.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender vegetables and crunchy topping that makes mouths water.

Sophisticated home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can become an extraordinary culinary experience.

Creamy, golden, and irresistibly delicious, this casserole will elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary: prepare to fall in love.

What’s to Love About Ina’s Green Bean Casserole

• Elevate Classic Comfort: This green bean casserole transforms a traditional dish into a gourmet experience with crispy fried onions and rich, creamy sauce that takes weeknight dinners from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Texture Symphony: The recipe masterfully combines multiple textures – tender green beans, crunchy fried onion topping, and velvety mushroom cream sauce create a delightful sensory eating adventure that keeps every bite interesting.
• Foolproof Cooking Technique: Ina Garten's method breaks down complex cooking steps into simple, manageable stages, making this seemingly sophisticated dish approachable for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced chefs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Crowd-Gatherer: Perfect for holiday meals, potlucks, and family dinners, this casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, ensuring everyone at the table will be impressed and satisfied with minimal kitchen stress.

The Ingredient Lineup for This Side Dish

Main Ingredients:

• Green Beans: Crisp and tender vegetable that forms the base of the casserole, best when young and bright green.
• Onions (Fresh and Sliced): Sweet base for flavor and crispy topping, choose firm and firm white or yellow onions.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer, select fresh cloves with no soft spots or sprouts.
• Mushrooms: Earthy element adding depth to the sauce, white or cremini varieties work best.

• Buttermilk: Tenderizing liquid for soaking onions, provides tangy flavor and helps create crispy coating.
• Cream: Rich base for sauce, adds luxurious texture and smoothness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that adds depth and creates golden crust.

• Flour: Used for dredging onions and thickening sauce, all-purpose works perfectly.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Nutmeg: Subtle warm spice that complements cream sauce.
• Olive Oil: Provides base for sautéing vegetables and adding rich flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth sauce.
• Chicken Stock: Liquid base for creating flavorful sauce.

Prepping Green Bean Casserole Garten-Style

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Onion Topping

Soak onion slices in buttermilk. Heat oil in a large pot to 375°F. Mix flour with salt and pepper on a plate. Dredge onion slices completely in flour mixture, then fry in oil until golden brown for 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Step 2: Blanch Green Beans

Boil salted water and blanch green beans for 5 minutes. Immediately transfer beans to ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Mushroom Base

• Diced onion
• Salt
• Pepper

Cook until onions soften, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until softened, about another 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 4: Build Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle flour into the skillet to create a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Gradually pour in stock, stirring constantly, and cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Finish Sauce and Combine Ingredients

• Cream
• Nutmeg
• Parmesan cheese

Add blanched green beans and toss to coat evenly.

Step 6: Bake and Serve

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese. Top with crispy fried onions. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Serve hot and enjoy the ultimate comfort dish.

Green Bean Casserole Tips You’ll Love

• Trim with Precision: Cut green bean ends cleanly for a professional-looking dish that cooks evenly and looks appetizing.
• Slice Like a Pro: Use a sharp knife to create uniform, paper-thin onion rings that will crisp up perfectly when fried.
• Season Strategically: Taste your mushroom sauce before adding to the casserole, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile.
• Crisp Topping Technique: Spread fried onions just before serving to maintain their crunchy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake just before your meal for maximum convenience and fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Keeping Casserole Fresh and Tasty

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract all air from a heavy-duty freezer bag before sealing green bean casserole portions. Vacuum sealing prevents freezer burn and preserves crispy topping texture for maximum freshness up to 4 months.
• Individual Portion Method: Divide casserole into single-serving containers before refrigerating or freezing. Separate portions make reheating easier and prevent unnecessary waste while maintaining original flavor profile.
• Temperature Control Method: Cool casserole completely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation buildup. Place in refrigerator within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety standards and prevent bacterial growth.

Twists on the Classic by Ina Garten

• Spicy Southwest Green Bean Fusion: Replace Parmesan with pepper jack cheese, add diced green chiles, and sprinkle smoked paprika over the casserole for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Green Bean Bake: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Bacon Lover's Green Bean Casserole: Crisp chopped bacon during the onion cooking process, fold bacon bits into the mixture, and sprinkle extra crispy bacon on top before baking for a smoky, rich variation.
• Vegan Creamy Green Bean Casserole: Substitute dairy ingredients with cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and coconut milk, using almond flour for coating onions and maintaining the classic creamy texture.

Concluding the Green Bean Casserole Chapter

Green bean casserole reimagines classic comfort with Ina Garten’s sophisticated twist.

Crispy fried onions crown a luxurious mushroom-infused sauce that elevates seasonal vegetables.

Parmesan cheese adds depth while nutmeg whispers subtle warmth throughout each delectable bite.

Layers of flavor meld together creating a memorable side dish perfect for gatherings.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary.

Passionate cooks and dinner guests alike will devour this irresistible casserole – so snap a photo, share the recipe, comment below, and spread deliciousness with friends!

Ina Garten Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s green bean casserole elevates classic comfort with French-inspired elegance. Fresh green beans, crispy shallots, and rich mushroom sauce combine in a sophisticated side dish that warms hearts and delights palates at any gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped in half
• 16 ounces (454 grams) cremini mushrooms, chopped
• 2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 1 large sweet onion, diced

Dairy and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese, plus more for topping
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Flour, Liquid, and Other Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) chicken or vegetable stock
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• vegetable or canola oil for frying
• kosher salt and pepper

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Instructions

1. Marinate thin onion slices in buttermilk for 15-20 minutes to tenderize and enhance flavor. Simultaneously, warm vegetable oil in a deep pot to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine all-purpose flour with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on a wide, flat plate, creating a seasoned coating mixture.
3. Remove onion slices from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Thoroughly dredge each slice in seasoned flour, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Carefully lower flour-coated onion slices into hot oil, frying until crispy and golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer fried onions to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) with a rack positioned in the middle position.
6. Prepare a blanching station with salted boiling water and a separate bowl of ice water. Add fresh green beans to boiling water, cooking for 4-5 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
7. Immediately transfer blanched green beans to ice water, stopping the cooking process and preserving their vibrant color and crisp texture.
8. In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add finely diced onions, seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté until translucent and softened.
9. Introduce sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until they release moisture and become tender. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
10. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
11. Gradually pour chicken or vegetable stock into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens and reaches a creamy consistency.
12. Incorporate heavy cream, freshly grated nutmeg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Fold in blanched green beans, ensuring they are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
13. Transfer the green bean mixture to a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top and distribute crispy fried onions evenly.
14. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese has melted. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set.

Notes

• Green beans sing with freshness when picked at peak ripeness, ensuring maximum flavor and crunch.
• Thin-sliced onions transform into delicate, crispy golden strands that add irresistible texture and depth.
• Seasoning becomes your personal culinary canvas, inviting spontaneous adjustments that align with your taste preferences.
• Bubbling edges and golden-brown surfaces signal a perfectly baked dish, promising a delightful sensory experience.
• Serving immediately captures the dish’s optimal temperature and textural magic, delivering a mouthwatering moment straight from the oven.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg