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Make Perfect Green Bean Casserole

... from Aunt Sandy's Kitchen

• Serves: 8 people
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes

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Aunt Sandy's Kitchen Green Bean Casserole is a rich, savory, and hearty take on a classic comfort food, featuring distinct layers of flavor and texture. It boasts a luxurious, velvety base made from a blend of butter, cream of mushroom soup, whole milk, heavy cream, and chicken stock. This richness is perfectly balanced by the earthy notes of sautéed fresh onions, garlic, and mushrooms, and enhanced throughout with prominent sharp cheddar cheese. The final touch is the "crisp and buttery topping," which includes classic salty french-fried onions and rich, toasty round crackers to ensure a perfect blend of creamy interior and crunchy top in every bite. This popular green bean casserole recipe is guaranteed to be a warm, satisfying family favorite.

Green Bean Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup diced onions or shallots
• ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bag (32 oz) frozen green beans (or 1½ pounds fresh or 2 cans (14.5 ounce each) of cut green beans
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup half-and-half (or whipping cream or heavy cream)
• 1 cup chicken stock as needed for thinning
• 1½ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
• 1-2 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated or shredded
• 2 cup french-fried onion rings

Topping Ingredients

• ½ - 1 cup(s) crumbled buttery round crackers
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated or shredded
• 1 cup french-fried onion rings

Directions

1. Preheat oven 350°F (177°C).
2. Grease 13 x 9 -inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in the butter for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. If using fresh or frozen: Blanch the green beans in lightly salted boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking, then drain and set aside.
5. In a large bowl, combine soup, cream, milk, chicken stock (if needed for thinning), cheese, crispy onions, salt, pepper, sautéd onions, garlic & mushrooms, and green beans. Stir well.
6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until bubbly on top.
7. In a small bowl, add cracker crumbs and melted butter mix together.
8. Remove casserole from oven and stir. Add topping by sprinkling evenly over the top of casserole: cheddar cheese, cracker crumbs butter mixture, and french-fried onion rings.
9. Return casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Serve warm. Enjoy!