Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

November 18, 2022

I am all about taking classic holiday dishes and giving them a lighter, modern twist. Today’s task - the ultimate canned soup classic - Green Bean Casserole. However, we are ditching the canned mushroom soup, canned green beans, and canned crispy onions to make an incredibly tasty, fresh version of this beloved dish.

Trust me, it is so much better than the canned version and just as easy to make. Truth be told, I was never a fan of green bean casserole until I started making it from scratch with fresh green beans and homemade gravy. Other than the crunchy onions on top, which are surprisingly delicious, I didn't understand the appeal. Mushy green beans are not for me. 

This version is anything but mushy. The green beans are bright green and still have some crunch. The crispy almond, onion, and breadcrumb topping is addictively delicious. It's hard to stop eating it and you will probably want to put it on everything. Then there is the rich, mushroom gravy. This dish will be a hit on any holiday table.

How to Make Green Bean Casserole

First – it starts with fresh green beans that are cooked until tender crisp. No mushy green beans in this casserole.

Next comes the mushroom gravy. It starts with cremini mushrooms sautéed in a touch of butter and lots of garlic. Once they get nice and tender, it’s time to make the gravy using low-fat milk, whole wheat flour, and chicken or vegetable bouillon.

The bouillon adds that rich, savory flavor that makes the gravy taste indulgent without using all the butter and heavy cream traditionally used in green bean casserole. This is tossed with the green beans.

To finish things off, you can’t have green bean casserole without the crispy onion topping. For mine, I always start with shallots, since they have plenty of onion flavor without the bite. Those are cooked down and then tossed with toasted Panko breadcrumbs and sliced almonds. The almonds add nuttiness and are always a good idea with green beans.

Everything takes a trip to the oven and within about 15 minutes, you have the most amazing, lightened up, flavor-packed Green Bean Casserole. It should be on every holiday table in my opinion.

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Recipe by: Kristen McCaffrey of Slender Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. green beans
  • 2 tbsp butter, divided
  • 1 cup shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 10 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp white whole wheat flour
  • 2 cups reduced fat milk
  • 2 vegetable bouillon cubes (or chicken)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender crisp. Immediately add to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Strain and dry.
  3. Melt 1 tbsp. of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook 5-7 minutes until tender but still maintaining their shape. Remove. Add the breadcrumbs to the pan and toast for 1-2 minutes until light brown. Add to the cooked shallots. Stir in the sliced almonds. Set aside.
  4. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel. Add the remaining 1 tbsp. of butter. Once melted, add the mushroom and cook 6-8 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and stir well. Cook for 1 minute. Add the milk and bouillon cubes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray. Add the green beans and mushroom gravy, Stir to combine. Add the crispy onions on top.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and bubbly. Serve.

Nutritional Info

Calories 155; Carbohydrates 21 grams; Fat 6 grams; Protein 7 grams

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com

Healthy Green Bean Casserole
Kristen Mccaffrey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristen McCaffrey makes a variety of healthy and delicious recipes that she shares on her website, SlenderKitchen.com. Before diving into the world of healthy cooking, she struggled to lose weight, eat well, and find a healthy balance in her life. She has always been in love with food and enjoys healthy recipe development. Kristen is passionate about cooking and creating delicious recipes that encourage other people to eat healthy. See more recipes from Kristen!
Recipe Disclaimer: If you have specific dietary restrictions, allergies or a nutrition plan that you are following, make sure to read the ingredient list prior to consumption. All information on ObesityHelp.com is intended for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for consultation with a qualified medical professional. Please contact a medical professional with any questions and concerns.