Bacon Green Bean Casserole
User Reviews
5
Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Description
Bacon Green Bean Casserole starts with green beans boiled briefly with baking soda to retain their bright green color and tender-crisp texture. The sauce involves rendered crispy bacon combined with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and garlic, seasoned with black pepper, salt, poultry seasoning, and fresh thyme. Flour is incorporated to thicken the mixture, which is then simmered with cream and chicken broth until rich and creamy. Parmesan cheese is stirred in to deepen the savory notes.
After mixing the green beans with the sauce, the casserole is topped with bacon pieces and a mixture of seasoned bread crumbs, melted butter, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley. Baking at 375°F until bubbly and golden creates a crunchy crust contrasting with the creamy, flavorful interior.
This dish works well as a vegetable side for meals that benefit from a richer green bean preparation. The option to assemble ahead and refrigerate for up to 48 hours improves convenience, though the crumbs should be added just before baking. The baking time should be increased slightly if baked from chilled.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds green beans trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Topping
- ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese shredded
- ½ tablespoon parsley chopped, fresh
Sauce
- 2 lices Bacon uncooked, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ small onion finely diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 3 prigs thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, fresh
- 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup light cream
- ¾ cup chicken broth reduced sodium
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add ½ teaspoon baking soda*(see note) to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Cut beans in half and simmer 5-6 minutes or until tender-crisp. Drain well.
- Meanwhile in a large skillet cook bacon until crisp. Place bacon on paper towels to drain leaving the grease in the pan. Add 2 tablespoons butter and onion. Cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms, garlic, pepper, salt (or to taste), poultry seasoning, and thyme leaves. Cook until mushrooms have released their juices and are tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute more.
- Add the cream and chicken broth. Simmer 5 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese. Toss with drained green beans.
- Place in a 2qt baking dish, top with bacon and breadcrumb mixture and bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and bread crumbs are browned.
Notes
- Add baking soda to boiling water to keep the green beans bright green without affecting taste.
- Salt can be adjusted based on bacon and broth saltiness; often no extra salt is needed.
- Casserole can be assembled and refrigerated up to 48 hours before baking; add bread crumb topping just before baking.
- If baked from refrigerated, add 10 minutes to the baking time to ensure thorough heating.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 190 | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 403mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 314mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 901IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 105mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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