Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds of green beans, halved and ends trimmed (optional to leave whole)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 5 tablespoons vegan butter, divided
- 4 sprigs thyme, destemmed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups plant-based milk
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated vegan Parmesan (or substitute with ¼ cup nutritional yeast)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup fried onions (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Blanch the Green Beans
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes.
- Work in batches if necessary, ensuring the beans cook evenly.
- Drain the beans and set them aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons of vegan butter and the thyme.
- Continue cooking for 8 minutes or until the mushrooms are browned and tender.
- Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegan butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually pour in the plant-based milk, whisking continuously to remove any clumps.
- Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Stir in the vegan Parmesan (or nutritional yeast), minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove the sauce from heat.
- Assemble the Casserole
- Place the blanched green beans in the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with the sautéed mushrooms.
- Pour the sauce over the beans and mushrooms, stirring lightly to combine.
- Bake the Casserole
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the fried onions evenly over the top.
- Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, creamy, and crunchy casserole.
Notes
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor. Frozen green beans can be used in a pinch but may not retain the same crispness.
- For extra richness, choose a creamy plant-based milk like oat or cashew.
- Customize the seasoning to your taste by adding smoked paprika, nutmeg, or a pinch of cayenne.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour