Stovetop Green Bean Casserole

Submitted by dstripling

"Onion and cremini mushrooms sauteed in butter infuse the creamy sauce atop this classic dish with rich flavor. Prepared in a mere 30 minutes, there are plenty of reasons this dish is a tradition"

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb green beans
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon margarine or 1 tablespoon butter
• 1⁄4 large sweet onion
• salt
• pepper
• 2 reg. package cremini mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (ground red)
• 1⁄4 cup French-fried onions (optional)

directions

1. Heat large covered saucepot salted water to boiling on high. Add green beans; cook 5 to 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well and transfer to serving dish. (Beans can be made ahead. Cool, cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat before proceeding.).
2. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil and margarine on medium until margarine melts. Add onion, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pinch freshly ground black pepper. Cook 6 minutes or until golden and tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook 8 minutes or until tender and juices have released and begun to evaporate, stirring occasionally.\.
4. Add flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring, then add milk in slow, steady stream, stirring. Heat to boiling and cook 2 to 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in thyme, cayenne, and pinch salt. Spoon over green beans and top with onions if desired.

5. To Make 12 Servings:

6. Step 1: Use 3 pounds beans.
7. Step 2: 2 tablespoons each oil and margarine, 1/2 large onion (10- to 12-ounce), 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
8. Step 3: 4 packages mushrooms (2 pounds), 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook 14 minutes.

9. Step 4: 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups milk, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup fried onions. To Make 20 Servings:

10. Step 1: Use 5 pounds beans.
11. Step 2: 7-quart saucepot, 3 tablespoons each oil and margarine, 1 jumbo onion (1 pound), 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
12. Step 3: 6 packages mushrooms (3 pounds), 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook 20 minutes.
13. Step 4: 1/3 cup flour, 3 cups milk, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup fried onions.