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.
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.
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.
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 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp 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 1/2 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:
- Asiago, Mozzarella, and Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
- Honey Butter Sweet Potato Mash
- Classic Potato Bread & Spicy Sausage Stuffing
- Cheesy Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- Easy Cheese Stuffed Garlic-Butter Crescent Rolls
- Honey Balsamic Fried Red Cabbage with Goat Cheese & Walnuts
- Roasted Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad with Creamy Garlic Herb Dressing
- Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Cinnamon Balsamic Dressing
- Honey Garlic Creamed Corn
- Honey Cornbread & Sausage Dressing
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
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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!
Ingredients
- 2 lb fresh green beans
- 5-6 strips thick cut bacon
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic about 3 cloves
- 1 tbsp minced shallot
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2/3 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp 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 9×13-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
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