Healthy Green Bean Casserole You’ll Absolutely Love All Year Long
Looking for the best healthy green bean casserole recipe? This dish combines fresh green beans, a rich made-from-scratch cream of mushroom sauce, and crispy homemade onions for a nourishing and healthy twist on a classic.
As someone who values both flavor and nutrition (and in that order!), this green bean casserole is one of my favorite side dishes to prepare for family gatherings and holidays. I love knowing that my kids are getting fresh vegetables (especially ones from our garden at home) and real ingredients in every bite. The rich mushroom sauce made from scratch is a small labor of love, and the crispy homemade onions add that delicious touch. Don’t let these overwhelm you, though, because they truly are easy to make!
Plus, it’s extremely versatile! I can tweak it to accommodate dietary needs while delivering the same comforting goodness. It’s always a hit with friends and family, and I never mind the requests for seconds (or the sometimes stolen leftovers)!
What is a Healthy Green Bean Casserole?
This nutrient-packed green bean casserole recipe combines fresh green beans, a rich cream of mushroom sauce, and a crispy homemade onion topping. It’s a healthier twist on the classic dish, loaded with wholesome ingredients like bone broth, baby bella mushrooms, and yummy bread crumbs.
It’s perfect for holidays or everyday meals, and this version is both comforting and nourishing. Trust me, your friends and family will be going back for seconds (and thirds)…and asking to take some home.
What makes this recipe healthy?
This green bean casserole stands out as a healthy twist on a classic comfort food because of its simple, wholesome ingredients! This recipe keeps things flavorful and nourishing, making it a guilt-free addition to your holiday table—or any day you crave a cozy, hearty dish!
- Fresh vegetables. Fresh green beans are full of nutrients and fiber. Because we blanch them to stop the cooking, they are still bright and full of vitamins when eaten.
- No preservatives. The crispy onions and cream of mushroom soup mix are made from scratch, skipping the preservatives and artificial ingredients often found in store-bought options.
Why make this Healthy Green Bean Casserole?
This healthy green bean casserole recipe is a step above the classic dish we all know and love. It combines wholesome ingredients with the feel of your favorite holiday comfort food. It’s not just for holidays, though. It’s versatile enough to accompany weeknight meals or special gatherings. Here’s why it’s worth trying:
- It’s packed with fresh ingredients. Fresh green beans, button mushrooms, and a homemade onion topping create a dish that’s both nutritious and delicious.
- It uses a homemade cream of mushroom sauce. Skip the canned soup with this recipe! This sauce is made with real ingredients like chicken broth, heavy cream, and fresh garlic, which gives you a richer and healthier flavor.
- It’s customizable. This recipe is easily adaptable to gluten-free and dairy-free eaters, so everyone at the table can enjoy it.
- It’s great for making ahead of time. Prep the components in advance to make assembly on the day of serving quick and easy!
Healthy Green Bean Casserole Ingredients
- Himalayan salt
- Fresh green beans: I find that fresh green beans work best, but you can definitely use frozen. If you do, allow them to thaw in a colander to let any excess moisture out before cooking.
- Button mushrooms
- Butter: This recipe calls for unsalted butter, but you can also use oil if you prefer.
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour: I like to buy it from Azure Standard or Thrive Market because of their great prices. For gluten-free, use Bob’s Red Mill.
- Chicken bone broth or cooking broth: My go-to brand for bone broth is Kettle & Fire from Thrive Market because of the extra nutrients.
- Heavy cream: We like the Alexandre Family Farm version from Azure Standard, but any is just fine.
- Onions
- Homemade bread crumbs or gluten-free rice crumbs: Our favorite gluten-free version comes from Trader Joe’s. You can easily make breadcrumbs at home, though, by lightly toasting bread that is a few days old. Alternatively, use the bread crumbs you like best!
Healthy Green Bean Casserole Variations
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs if you want a gluten-free recipe. The rice crumbs from Trader Joes are a great gluten-free option!
- Dairy-free option: Substitute heavy cream with 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of dairy-free milk of your choice if you want a dairy-free option.
I hope you love this recipe!
Healthy Green Bean Casserole
This is the best green bean casserole (and it’s also healthy!). It features fresh green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce made from scratch, and crispy homemade onions.
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 2 Tablespoons Himalayan salt
- 1 pound fresh organic green beans, rinsed, trimmed, and halved
- 10-12 oz. small button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour or flour of choice
- 1&1/2 cup chicken bone broth or cooking broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the onion topping:
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup organic, all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons homemade bread crumbs or gluten-free rice crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Make the onion topping. Don’t skip this step! It is truly quite easy and makes the dish extra yummy.
- Simply combine the flour, bread crumbs and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss the onions in the mixture to coat them. Spread the breaded onions on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 for 20-30 minutes. Turn the onions a few times during cooking for best results. Once they are crispy, remove them from the oven and set aside.
- While the onions are cooking, prep the beans.
- Boil water and a little salt, then add in the fresh green beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain and immediately place the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a cast iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to thicken. Cook for about a minute.
- Add the broth and simmer for a couple of minutes, then decrease the heat to medium-low and add the cream. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. (If not using a cast iron skiller, transfer the mixture to a glass, ceramic, or otherwise oven-safe baking dish.)
- Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs if you want a gluten-free recipe.
- Substitute heavy cream with 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of dairy-free milk of your choice for a vegan, dairy-free option.
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