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Fresh Take on Green Bean Casserole

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healthy green bean casserole

Talk about effective branding! That green bean casserole topped with fried onions makes an appearance every Thanksgiving on millions of dinner tables across America to this day. I’m always curious about the origins of different foods, especially when it comes to dishes that are included in traditional celebrations, both cultural and religious. Because one of the key ingredients is canned cream of mushroom soup, I suspected that this ubiquitous casserole came about in the 1950’s because that’s when incorporating Campbell’s canned soups in casseroles for a quick, no-fuss, one-pot meal became popular. Permanently embedded in the psyche of the baby boomer generation is the catchy Campbell’s tagline:  Mmmm good… I can’t think of any other soup companies that existed then, can you? Anyway, I googled it and sure enough, according to Wikipedia, it was invented in 1955 in the Campbell Soup Company test kitchen under the leadership of Dorcas Reilly.

Some of you may still look forward to the familiar 1950’s version, but I know some of you may wish that mom or whoever brings the green bean casserole to the table every year, would give it a face lift! Here’s how easy it is to use all fresh ingredients:  green beans, mushrooms, and onions, whip up a simple bechamel (white sauce) and sprinkle it with panko bread crumbs to satisfy the need for a crunchy topping 🙂

 Skinny Green Bean Casserole

Healthy Green Bean Cassserole
 
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Give that '50's casserole a face lift using all fresh ingredients, a simple bechamel (white sauce) and a sprinkle of panko bread crumbs for a crunchy topping. So easy!
Author:
Recipe type: Side dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. green beans, trimmed
  • 6-8 oz. package cremini mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided use
  • 2 tablespoon Wondra flour*
  • 1 c. milk or half & half
  • ½ c. Kikkoman panko bread crumbs
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to boiling over high heat. After removing the ends, cut the beans in half. Add to boiling water and blanch the beans for about 2-3 minutes. This partially cooks the beans but they’ll be baked with the other ingredients to finish cooking. Remove the beans to a colander and run cold water over them.
  3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick. Sauté the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in the butter until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the beans to the mushrooms, mix together and cook another minute or so. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons butter into the same skillet. When butter is melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of Wondra flour*. Cook for a minute until the flour is incorporated into the butter, then add the milk. Continue to stir until thickened. Add a dash of salt and a few grinds of pepper.
  4. Mix into the vegetable mixture and sprinkle with panko bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes or until bread crumbs are crisped and golden. Recipe can easily be doubled. Can also be made 1 day ahead and reheated.
Notes
*Wondra is a must-have pantry item for smooth sauces and gravies.
Gluten free substitutions: use a cornstarch flurry instead of Wonder and chopped pecans instead of panko.
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Comments

  1. Just when you think you can’t face another holiday with a green bean casserole slathered in high sodium cream of mushroom soup alas a recipe I can live with!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Nancy 🙂 the “classic” green bean casserole wasn’t on our table either, but my mom did use cream of mushroom soup frequently.

      Reply

  4. You had me laughing this morning! My mom instists on making the originals, “Because my brothers like it”. That’s her story anyways, I can’t stand it, but I definately like your version. Me and my sister have been debating whether or not to make it, I think you just helped me decide! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
    -Gina-

    Reply

  6. So you found the green beans 🙂 This is a wonderful re-invention…I won’t say much regarding the old school (apparently my mother reads you blog,lol)
    But I am all for the face lift…Look at all of those goodies, perfect 🙂
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving…xoxo

    Reply

  7. I enjoyed eating green bean casserole growing up, but when I attempted to make the classic version myself…I was shocked to see the amount of processed ingredients it required! Needless to say, this recipe is FAR more appealing! Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  8. I wanna raise my hand when you say you may want whoever bring a green bean cassarole to have a face lift! haha. I’m a big fan of green beans. However, I never make green bean casserole myself (only cook in different dishes). Maybe this year I can be the one who brings the new face of greenbean casserole!

    Reply

  14. The sprinkle of Panko along with a generous helping of onions and mushrooms…especially my favourite crimini…must surely have enhanced the typical green bean casserole.
    Love the serving dish ;o)

    Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving celebration.
    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

    Reply

  15. as a child I used to hate green beans, I’m not a big fan now either but I do eat them form time to time, since I’m not born American I don’t know which is the 1950’s and after version of the green bean casserole, but I can say yours is quite tempting. I have to look for Wondra flour at my supermarket now.
    Hope you had a wonderful day

    Reply

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