Description

A healthier, homemade twist on the classic holiday side dish using fresh green beans, almond milk, and sharp cheddar, topped with crispy fried shallots for a creamy, savory, and fiber-rich meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
Drain beans immediately in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine almond milk, grated cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat over medium-low, whisking constantly until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and slightly thickened (3-4 minutes). Do not boil.
Pour blanched green beans into the prepared baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the beans and stir gently to coat.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced shallots and toss to coat. Sprinkle flour over shallots and toss again.
Cook shallots for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat.
Bake the casserole for 15 minutes until bubbling.
Remove from oven and sprinkle crispy shallots evenly over the top.
Return to oven for 2-3 minutes to warm onions. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the beans; blanching does most of the work. Grate your own cheese to ensure a smooth sauce without anti-caking agents. Add crispy onions at the very end to maintain crunch. For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend or cornstarch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 450
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 5
Protein: 12

Keywords: green bean casserole, holiday recipes, thanksgiving side dish, healthy casserole, crispy onions, homemade green beans, comfort food