Name: Green Bean Casserole with Ham and Parmesan
Ingredients: Fresh Green Beans: (1.5 lbs, trimmed and halved or cut into bite-sized pieces) – Fresh green beans provide a vibrant, crisp-tender texture that canned beans simply can’t match. Look for firm, bright green beans for the best results.; Cooked Ham: (8 oz, diced into small cubes) – Smoked ham adds a wonderful savory depth and smoky flavor that complements the creamy casserole beautifully. Leftover holiday ham is ideal, but any good quality cooked ham will work.; Yellow Onion: (1 medium, finely chopped) – Onions form the aromatic base of many great dishes. Yellow onions offer a balanced flavor that sweetens as they cook.; Garlic: (2 cloves, minced) – Garlic adds a pungent, aromatic layer that enhances the overall flavor profile. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for its brighter taste.; Cremini Mushrooms: (8 oz, sliced) – Cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) have a deeper, earthier flavor than white button mushrooms, adding complexity to the casserole.; Unsalted Butter: (4 tablespoons) – Butter provides richness and helps to sauté the vegetables to perfection. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in the dish.; All-Purpose Flour: (3 tablespoons) – Flour acts as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce, ensuring a luscious texture.; Milk: (2 cups, whole milk or 2%) – Milk forms the liquid base of the creamy sauce. Whole milk will result in a richer, creamier sauce, but 2% works well too.; Chicken Broth: (1 cup, low sodium) – Chicken broth adds depth of flavor to the sauce and complements the ham and mushrooms. Low sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness.; Heavy Cream: (1/2 cup) – Heavy cream adds extra richness and luxuriousness to the sauce, making it incredibly decadent.; Grated Parmesan Cheese: (1 cup, plus extra for topping) – Parmesan cheese provides a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavor that elevates the casserole. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and melting quality. Avoid pre-grated Parmesan as it often contains cellulose and doesn’t melt as smoothly.; Dried Thyme: (1 teaspoon) – Thyme adds a subtle earthy and slightly minty flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.; Salt: (To taste) – Salt enhances the flavors of all the ingredients. Season to taste, being mindful of the saltiness of the ham and Parmesan.; Black Pepper: (Freshly ground, to taste) – Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent and aromatic spice that balances the richness of the casserole.; Crispy Fried Onions: (1 (6-ounce) can) – Crispy fried onions provide a classic crunchy topping that adds textural contrast and savory onion flavor.; Optional: Fresh Parsley: (Chopped, for garnish) – Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note as a garnish.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients, but the quality of each component contributes significantly to the final dish. Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:

Fresh Green Beans: (1.5 lbs, trimmed and halved or cut into bite-sized pieces) – Fresh green beans provide a vibrant, crisp-tender texture that canned beans simply can’t match. Look for firm, bright green beans for the best results.
Cooked Ham: (8 oz, diced into small cubes) – Smoked ham adds a wonderful savory depth and smoky flavor that complements the creamy casserole beautifully. Leftover holiday ham is ideal, but any good quality cooked ham will work.
Yellow Onion: (1 medium, finely chopped) – Onions form the aromatic base of many great dishes. Yellow onions offer a balanced flavor that sweetens as they cook.
Garlic: (2 cloves, minced) – Garlic adds a pungent, aromatic layer that enhances the overall flavor profile. Freshly minced garlic is always preferred for its brighter taste.
Cremini Mushrooms: (8 oz, sliced) – Cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) have a deeper, earthier flavor than white button mushrooms, adding complexity to the casserole.
Unsalted Butter: (4 tablespoons) – Butter provides richness and helps to sauté the vegetables to perfection. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in the dish.
All-Purpose Flour: (3 tablespoons) – Flour acts as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce, ensuring a luscious texture.
Milk: (2 cups, whole milk or 2%) – Milk forms the liquid base of the creamy sauce. Whole milk will result in a richer, creamier sauce, but 2% works well too.
Chicken Broth: (1 cup, low sodium) – Chicken broth adds depth of flavor to the sauce and complements the ham and mushrooms. Low sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness.
Heavy Cream: (1/2 cup) – Heavy cream adds extra richness and luxuriousness to the sauce, making it incredibly decadent.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: (1 cup, plus extra for topping) – Parmesan cheese provides a salty, nutty, and umami-rich flavor that elevates the casserole. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and melting quality. Avoid pre-grated Parmesan as it often contains cellulose and doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Dried Thyme: (1 teaspoon) – Thyme adds a subtle earthy and slightly minty flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Salt: (To taste) – Salt enhances the flavors of all the ingredients. Season to taste, being mindful of the saltiness of the ham and Parmesan.
Black Pepper: (Freshly ground, to taste) – Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent and aromatic spice that balances the richness of the casserole.
Crispy Fried Onions: (1 (6-ounce) can) – Crispy fried onions provide a classic crunchy topping that adds textural contrast and savory onion flavor.
Optional: Fresh Parsley: (Chopped, for garnish) – Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note as a garnish.

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Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a Green Bean Casserole with Ham and Parmesan that will impress everyone:

Prepare the Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed and halved green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are bright green and crisp-tender. Don’t overcook them; they will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the green beans immediately and plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain them again thoroughly and set aside. This blanching process ensures perfectly textured green beans in your casserole.
Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms: In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel works well) or a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sliced cremini mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the mushrooms are softened and have released their moisture, and the onions are lightly golden. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Sautéing the onions and mushrooms develops their flavors and creates a rich base for the sauce.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This step is crucial for thickening the sauce without lumps. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps of flour. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Simmering allows the sauce to thicken and the flour to cook out, preventing a raw flour taste.
Incorporate the Ham and Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the Parmesan cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, adding its signature salty, nutty flavor, while the ham infuses the casserole with savory goodness.
Combine Green Beans and Sauce: Add the blanched green beans and diced ham to the creamy sauce in the skillet and stir gently to combine everything evenly. Ensure the green beans and ham are well coated with the sauce.
Top with Fried Onions and Parmesan (Optional): If using an oven-safe skillet, you can proceed directly to baking. If using a saucepan, transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top of the casserole evenly with the crispy fried onions. For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the fried onions.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until it is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and the flavors to meld together even further. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy your elevated Green Bean Casserole with Ham and Parmesan!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 450
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g