The Ultimate Thanksgiving: Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

November 19, 2012

Green bean and bacon casserole is a twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Instead of the canned cream of mushroom soup and tin of French fried onions, every component is made from scratch. This is an amazing recipe that everyone at the table is sure to enjoy.

Green Bean and Bacon Casserole

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. center cut bacon, diced
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided

1 medium onion, half diced and other half thinly sliced

8 ounces mushrooms, chopped

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided

1 cup low-fat milk

3 tablespoons dry sherry (a fortified wine)

1 pound fresh green beans (about 4 cups), cut in half

1/3 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In a frying, cook bacon until crispy.

3. Cook green beans in boiling salted water until crisp and tender.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, thyme and pepper. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Add milk and sherry and bring to a simmer, stirring often to reduce flour lumps. Stir in green beans and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute. Stir in sour cream and bacon. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

5. Whisk the remaining 1/3 cup flour, paprika, garlic powder and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Add sliced onion; toss to coat. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion to oil and cook, turning once or twice, until golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Spread the onion topping over the casserole.

6. Bake the casserole until bubbling, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.