Description
Comfort meets elegance in this classic Green Bean and Potato Casserole, blending creamy textures with hearty flavors. Crisp green beans and tender potatoes create a delightful harmony that brings warmth to dinner tables, inviting you to savor each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 lb (450 g) green beans, trimmed and halved
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Cream:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Topping:
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetable base by heating a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully introduce diced potatoes and allow them to simmer for approximately 8 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Gently incorporate green beans into the potato-laden water, continuing to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Ensure vegetables maintain a crisp texture while being thoroughly heated. Drain completely and set aside in a holding area.
- Activate a large skillet over medium thermal intensity. Melt butter and introduce diced onions, sautéing until they transform into a translucent, softened state, which requires roughly 3 minutes of attentive cooking.
- Introduce minced garlic to the onion mixture, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 1 minute. The kitchen will fill with a rich, enticing fragrance.
- Stream heavy cream into the skillet, bringing the liquid to a gentle, rolling simmer. Gradually fold in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, complementing with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk the cheese mixture until it achieves a velvety, uniform consistency with no visible cheese lumps. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon smoothly.
- Transfer the pre-cooked potatoes and green beans into a prepared casserole dish. Pour the luxurious cheese sauce over the vegetables, ensuring every morsel receives an even coating.
- Optional: Sprinkle breadcrumbs across the surface, potentially tossing them with melted butter for enhanced golden crispness.
- Slide the casserole into a preheated oven maintaining 375°F (190°C). Allow it to bake for 20-25 minutes until the top achieves a gloriously golden and bubbling appearance.
- Extract the casserole from the oven, permitting it to rest momentarily. This brief cooling period allows the ingredients to set and flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm, fresh green beans without blemishes for the best texture and flavor in your casserole.
- Slightly undercook vegetables during boiling to prevent mushiness during baking, maintaining a pleasant crisp-tender consistency.
- Rinse boiled vegetables in cold water immediately after draining to stop the cooking process and preserve vibrant color.
- Grate cheese fresh for a more intense, smoother melting sauce compared to pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- Add crushed garlic directly into the sauce for deeper flavor development instead of simply sautéing.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version without compromising richness.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts like almonds for a low-carb, celiac-friendly topping alternative.
- Include crispy bacon bits or pancetta in the topping for extra savory depth and crunch.
- Make this dish vegetarian-friendly by substituting vegetable broth for cream and using plant-based cheese alternatives.
- Prep casserole components ahead of time and refrigerate, baking just before serving for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg