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Quick Green Bean Casserole

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 14, 2011

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 8

Quick Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

3 large shallots, sliced thin (about 1 cup)Salt and ground black pepper 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 5 tablespoons vegetable oil 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems discarded, caps wiped clean and sliced ¼ inch thick2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed3 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves ¾ cup heavy cream ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Toss shallots with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 2 tablespoons flour in small bowl; set aside. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until smoking; add shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer shallots with oil to baking sheet lined with triple layer of paper towels.
  2. Wipe out skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, mushrooms, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate and set aside.
  3. Wipe out skillet. Heat butter in skillet over medium heat; when foaming subsides, add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until edges begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon flour; toss in green beans, thyme, and bay. Add cream and chicken broth, increase heat to medium-high, cover, and cook until beans are partly tender but still crisp at center, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to cook, uncovered, until green beans are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Off heat, discard bay and thyme; adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle evenly with shallots, and serve.

Quick Green Bean Casserole

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 8

Ingredients

3 large shallots, sliced thin (about 1 cup)
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems discarded, caps wiped clean and sliced ¼ inch thick
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
¾ cup heavy cream
¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

Ingredients

3 large shallots, sliced thin (about 1 cup)
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems discarded, caps wiped clean and sliced ¼ inch thick
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
¾ cup heavy cream
¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

Ingredients

3 large shallots, sliced thin (about 1 cup)
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems discarded, caps wiped clean and sliced ¼ inch thick
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
1 ½ pounds green beans, stem ends trimmed
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
¾ cup heavy cream
¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

Why This Recipe Works

To develop a streamlined green bean casserole recipe that would employ just one pot and still yield tender beans and a flavorful sauce, we built the sauce in the pan first and then added the beans and some chicken broth (instead of water) for flavor.

Instructions

  1. Toss shallots with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 2 tablespoons flour in small bowl; set aside. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until smoking; add shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer shallots with oil to baking sheet lined with triple layer of paper towels.
  2. Wipe out skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, mushrooms, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate and set aside.
  3. Wipe out skillet. Heat butter in skillet over medium heat; when foaming subsides, add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until edges begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon flour; toss in green beans, thyme, and bay. Add cream and chicken broth, increase heat to medium-high, cover, and cook until beans are partly tender but still crisp at center, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to cook, uncovered, until green beans are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Off heat, discard bay and thyme; adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle evenly with shallots, and serve.

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