Traditional Green Bean Bake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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Welcome to the comforting world of the Traditional Green Bean Bake! This dish is a classic for good reason — it's hearty, flavorful, and perfect for any gathering or cozy night in. Let's dive into this timeless recipe that brings everyone to the table.

Ingredients for Traditional Green Bean Bake

Green beans are the star of this dish, offering a fresh, crisp texture. Blanching them keeps their color vibrant. The cream of mushroom soup adds a rich, savory base that melds beautifully with the whole milk, which brings creaminess to the sauce. A hint of black pepper and a splash of soy sauce enhance the umami, adding depth to the flavor profile. The crispy fried onions provide a delightful crunch, while grated cheddar cheese offers a melty, cheesy finish that's hard to resist.

Tips & Tricks

  • Blanch the green beans in advance and store them in the fridge if you're short on time before cooking.
  • Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for a subtle warmth that complements the creaminess.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the milk by a quarter cup.

Serving Suggestions

This Green Bean Bake pairs wonderfully with roasted meats like turkey or chicken. For a vegetarian option, serve it alongside a hearty grain salad or a mushroom risotto. It's also a fantastic side for holiday feasts with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, just thaw and drain them thoroughly before using.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
You can use cream of chicken or make a homemade béchamel sauce with mushrooms.
Is there a dairy-free version?
Use plant-based milk and cheese, and check that your soup is dairy-free.

Traditional Green Bean Bake Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F to get it nice and warm. While that's happening, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in the green beans and let them cook for about 5 minutes until they’re just tender. Drain them well — you don't want any excess water to dilute your creamy mixture.

Next, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, black pepper, and soy sauce. Stir them together until you have a smooth, creamy sauce. Add your cooked green beans and half of the crispy fried onions into this mixture, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.

Pour this delicious mixture into a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish, spreading it out so it covers the base evenly. Now, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top, ensuring it's spread out so every bite will have that cheesy goodness.

Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt beautifully. After 25 minutes, take it out briefly to sprinkle the remaining crispy fried onions on top. Return it to the oven for another 5 minutes. This final bake will give the onions a golden-brown finish.

Once done, let it cool slightly before serving. This will make it easier to serve and enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick prep and simple steps make it weeknight-friendly.
  • A delightful blend of creamy, crunchy, and cheesy textures.
  • Perfect for holiday seasons or family get-togethers.
  • Features familiar, easy-to-find ingredients.
  • Customizable to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp soy sauce
1 can (6 oz) crispy fried onions
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook green beans until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, black pepper, and soy sauce.
4. Add the cooked green beans and half of the crispy fried onions to the soup mixture and stir to combine.
5. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish.
6. Spread the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
8. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining crispy fried onions on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until golden brown.
9. Let cool slightly before serving.

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