Elevate your holiday dining experience with this indulgent twist on a classic favorite! This creamy, made-from-scratch Bacon & Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole features a savory blend of crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and luscious goat cheese, all enhanced by a splash of white wine and a hint of nutmeg. Finished with a generous topping of crispy fried onions, this dish brings a delightful crunch and rich flavor to any Thanksgiving table. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Why You'll Love it:

Decadent Flavor: The combination of savory bacon and creamy goat cheese creates a rich and indulgent flavor profile that elevates the classic dish.
Made from Scratch: With a homemade touch, this casserole is crafted from fresh ingredients, ensuring a delicious taste that store-bought versions can’t match.
Unique Twist: The addition of white wine and nutmeg adds depth and warmth, making this casserole a standout dish at any holiday gathering.
Crispy Topping: The crispy fried onions provide the perfect contrast to the creamy filling, adding a delightful crunch that enhances every bite.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s for Thanksgiving or a family dinner, this casserole is sure to impress guests and become a beloved favorite around the table.

Upclose Bacon & Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Onions

Ingredient Notes:

Fresh Green Beans: Trimmed at the ends and cut in half width-wise for optimal cooking and texture. Their vibrant color and crispness add a fresh crunch to the casserole.
Thick Cut Bacon: Provides a savory, salty element that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish. The crispy bacon bits offer a delicious contrast to the creamy sauce.
Baby Bella Mushrooms: Chopped for added depth and earthiness, these mushrooms bring a rich, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Garlic: Minced to release its aromatic qualities, garlic adds a fragrant and robust flavor that elevates the entire dish.
Shallot: Minced for a milder onion flavor, shallots contribute a subtle sweetness that balances the savory components.
Butter: Used to create a rich base for the roux, adding creaminess and depth to the sauce.
Flour: All-purpose flour is essential for making a light roux, which helps to thicken the sauce and create a lovely gravy-like texture for the goat cheese and mushroom mixture.
Chicken Broth: Adds a savory depth to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor while keeping the casserole moist and delicious.
Dry White Wine: A splash of dry white wine brightens the flavors and adds acidity, which balances the richness of the cream and cheese.
Heavy Cream: This ingredient brings a luscious creaminess to the casserole, creating a rich sauce that coats the green beans perfectly.
Crumbled Goat Cheese: Ultra-creamy, rich, and slightly tangy, goat cheese pairs beautifully with the salty bacon, creating a delightful flavor combination that elevates the dish.
Ground Nutmeg: A pinch of ground nutmeg enhances the flavors in creamy or cheesy dishes. Its warm, aromatic profile adds depth; a little goes a long way!
Salt & Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and bring out the flavors of all the other ingredients, allowing each component to shine.
French Fried Onions: These crispy toppings add a satisfying crunch and an extra layer of flavor, making the casserole visually appealing and deliciously irresistible.

Bacon and Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Fried Onions

Dietary Restriction & Allergy-Friendly Substitutions:

Dairy-Free:
- Heavy Cream: Substitute with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative (like cashew cream or almond milk).
- Goat Cheese: Use a dairy-free cream cheese or a nut-based cheese (like cashew cheese) for a similar creamy texture.
Gluten-Free:
- Flour: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or cornstarch to make the roux.
- French Fried Onions: If using pre-packaged french fried onions, ensure they are labeled gluten free.
Vegetarian:
- Thick Cut Bacon: Use a plant-based bacon alternative or sautéed mushrooms for added umami flavor without the meat.
- Chicken Broth: Substitute with vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan:
- Bacon: Use plant-based bacon, smoked tempeh, or extra mushrooms.
- Butter: Replace with vegan butter or olive oil.
- Heavy Cream: Use coconut cream or a vegan cream alternative.
- Goat Cheese: Opt for a dairy-free cheese made from nuts or tofu.
Low-FODMAP:
- Garlic: Use garlic-infused oil instead of minced garlic for flavor without the FODMAPs.
- Shallot: Substitute with the green tops of scallions for a milder flavor.

Optional Additions & Variations:

Mushroom Medley: Use a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake, portobello, or oyster mushrooms, to add different textures and earthy flavors.
Nutty Crunch: Add toasted walnuts or sliced almonds for a nutty crunch that complements the creamy sauce and crispy fried onions.
Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little heat, giving the casserole an spicy twist.

Bacon & Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole

How to Make Crispy Fried Onions From Scratch:

Making crispy fried onions from scratch is simple and elevates your dish with a fresh, homemade touch. Here’s how to do it:

2 medium onions
3 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
3-4 cups vegetable oil for frying

Fry Onions– Thinly slice onions. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over onions and toss to fully combine. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over med-high heat until temperatures reach 375F. Add a handful of onions to pot, fry for about 1 ½ minutes until golden brown. Using a wire skimmer, carefully scoop out onions and place on paper towel to drain. Repeat this process with the remaining onions.

Expert Tips & Recipe Notes:

Prep Ahead: You can prepare the green beans, bacon, and mushroom mixture a day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble the casserole right before baking for a quicker cooking time.
Blanching Green Beans: For perfectly cooked green beans, blanche them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the casserole. This keeps them vibrant and tender-crisp.
Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality bacon and goat cheese for the best flavor. If possible, opt for fresh herbs and organic vegetables.
Customize the Cheese: If you love cheese, consider adding a mix of cheeses, such as mozzarella or cheddar, for an even creamier texture.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before pouring it over the green beans. Adjust the salt, pepper, or nutmeg according to your preference.
Crispy Topping: For an extra crispy topping, you can mix some of the fried onions with breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers before sprinkling them over the casserole before baking.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results, adding a sprinkle of fresh fried onions on top to revive the crunch.
Freezing: This casserole can be frozen before baking. Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
Serving Suggestions: This casserole pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, such as turkey or chicken, and can also be served as a hearty vegetarian side dish.

More Thanksgiving & Holiday Side Dish Recipes You Will Love:

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Recipe

Bacon & Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole

Indulge in this creamy Bacon & Goat Cheese Green Bean Casserole, a delicious twist on a holiday classic. Featuring tender green beans, savory bacon, earthy mushrooms, and rich goat cheese in a creamy sauce, all topped with crispy fried onions. Perfect for festive gatherings or a comforting family dinner!

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 20

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings (Makes a 9x13 Casserole Dish)

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

2 lb fresh green beans
5-6 strips thick cut bacon
2 tablespoon butter
8 oz baby bella mushrooms chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
1 tablespoon minced shallot
3 tablespoon flour
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup dry white wine
⅔ cups heavy cream
½ cup crumbled goat cheese
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Pinch nutmeg
1.5 cups french fried onions

Instructions

Prepare the Green Beans:

Trim the ends of the fresh green beans and cut them in half width-wise.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cut green beans and boil for 2-4 minutes until slightly tender.
Using a wire skimmer or slotted spoon, carefully scoop the green beans out of the pot and plunge them into a mixing bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process.

Make the Goat Cheese and Mushroom Sauce:

In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan. Add butter and melt. Add the chopped mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
Add minced garlic, minced shallot, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat to medium-low and sprinkle the mushroom mixture with flour. Stir until fully combined.
While whisking, slowly pour in ½ cup of chicken broth. Whisk until the flour is fully combined with the broth.
Add the remaining chicken broth and dry white wine. Simmer and whisk for 30 seconds. Stir in the cream, a generous pinch of ground nutmeg, and crumbled goat cheese. Continue whisking for 4-7 minutes until the goat cheese has melted and the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Remove from heat.

Assemble & Bake:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Drain the green beans and combine them with the goat cheese sauce and crumbled bacon.
Spread the mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the green beans are tender.
Top the casserole with French fried onions and bake for another 5 minutes.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

- Pour & Bake Quick Method: 2-3 drained 15 oz cans of green beans can be used in place of fresh green beans and 2 10.5 oz cans of cream of mushroom can be used in place of from-scratch mushroom sauce. Simply mix green beans, cream of mushroom, crumbled bacon, goat cheese, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, top with french fried onions and bake 5 minutes longer.
- Nutritonal values are an estimate only and provide a rough estimate of the nutritional content per serving. Adjustments in ingredients or portion sizes will affect the values. For the most accurate results, consider using a nutrition calculator with the exact products you plan to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 16.7gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 250mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Keyword green bean casserole with cheese

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