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Green Bean Casserole (The Real Food Way)
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5 from 2 votes

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Course: Side Dish
Servings: 0
Author: Ann Timm

Ingredients

For the Beans:

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves or ¾ tsp. dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Optional: Add crumbled home-cooked bacon to suit your taste

For the Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour OR 2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp. salt

For the Topping:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup sliced shallots
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat or sourdough bread crumbs
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

(This provides a light topping. I frequently double this amount since I love it! The topping is doubled in the picture above.)

Shallots give the topping a special, delicate flavor. They would be the "secret" ingredient, if there was one!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    Step One: Prepare Beans and Mushrooms

    • Fill a large pot with water and sprinkle with a little salt. Bring to boil and add green beans. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until they are crisp tender. Drain and set aside.
    • While beans are cooking, melt the butter in a large pan. Turn to medium-low and sauté onion and garlic in the butter until soft.
    • Add mushrooms and thyme. Stir and sauté until the mushrooms release their juices. Continue cooking until the juices are reduced.
    • Season with salt and pepper.

    Step Two: Make SauceHere are two methods for making the sauce: one uses whole wheat flour, the other uses arrowroot powder.

      Method 1: Using Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

      • Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute or two (this will reduce the “floury” taste).
      • Add milk to saucepan, pouring in slowly while whisking continually. Add salt and stir to distribute throughout. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens to the point where it will coat a spoon.

      Method 2: Using Arrowroot Powder

      • Mix arrowroot powder and cold milk together until smooth.
      • Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Pour in the arrowroot/milk mixture and stir. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens to the point where it will coat a spoon.

      Step Three: Combine Sauce, Beans, and Mushrooms

      • Combine cooked green beans and mushroom/thyme mixture in a large bowl. Gently stir until mixed. Pour the sauce over the top and stir until evenly distributed.
      • Pour into a well greased 9 by 11 inch baking dish.

      Step Four: Make ToppingAs noted in the ingredients, I often double the recipe for the topping since I like there to be a lot of it. You can also double all of the ingredients except the shallots and increase those as you desire.

      • In a skillet or sauté pan, melt butter and coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced shallots, cooking about 3 to 4 minutes until soft and turning golden.
      • Add the bread crumbs and stir to coat with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
      • Sprinkle topping over casserole.
      • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bread crumbs are golden brown and the cream sauce is bubbling.