Savory Bacon & Wild Mushroom Green Bean Casserole
This delightful Savory Bacon & Wild Mushroom Green Bean Casserole is a comforting and elegant side dish, perfect for holiday gatherings like Christmas. Combining fresh green beans and earthy wild mushrooms with crispy bacon, this casserole brings rich flavors and a creamy texture to your festive table. Topped with crumbled bacon for an irresistible crunch, it’s a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy a nutritious yet indulgent addition to your holiday feast with this exquisite casserole that's as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
N/A
Servings
192
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh green beans
1 1/2 lbs (trimmed)
Boiling water
1 cup
Dried wild mushrooms
1/2 ounce (such as morel, chanterelle, oyster, or porcini)
Bacon
7 slices (8 ounces) (cut into small pieces)
Cremini mushrooms
12 ounces (sliced)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons
Half-and-half or light cream
2 cups
Fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons (snipped or 1/2 teaspoon dried, crushed)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
1
1. In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 3 minutes until they are just crisp-tender. Drain the beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the beans again and set aside.
2
2. In a small bowl, combine the dried wild mushrooms with 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and let them steep for 15 minutes until softened. Afterward, use a fork to gently remove the mushrooms from the water, chopping them into smaller pieces. Be sure to reserve the mushroom liquid, discarding any gritty residue at the bottom of the bowl.
3
3. In the same large skillet, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until they are crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined bowl, allowing it to drain and cool before crumbling into small bits. Retain about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings and discard the rest.
4
4. In the skillet with the reserved drippings, add the sliced cremini mushrooms and cook over medium-high heat until they become lightly browned, stirring occasionally (about 5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and stir for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and combine the sautéed mushrooms with the reserved green beans and chopped dried mushrooms.
5
5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually pour in the reserved mushroom liquid (minus any gritty bits) and half-and-half, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the rosemary, salt, and pepper.
6
6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Stir the sauce into the combined green bean mixture until evenly coated. Transfer everything into a greased 2-quart square baking dish. Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and heated through. Remove from the oven and top with the reserved crumbled bacon. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the bacon.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
11g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Bacon & Wild Mushroom Green Bean Casserole?
It is a comforting and elegant side dish that combines fresh green beans, earthy wild mushrooms, and crispy bacon in a creamy sauce, topped with more bacon for crunch.
Is this casserole suitable for holiday dinners?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect addition to holiday gatherings like Christmas dinner.
How many calories are in one serving of this casserole?
Each serving contains 192 calories.
What are the main nutritional facts for this dish?
A serving contains 192 calories, 13g of fat, 11g of carbohydrates, and 6g of protein.
What kind of green beans should be used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of fresh green beans, trimmed.
What types of dried wild mushrooms can be used?
You can use dried morel, chanterelle, oyster, or porcini mushrooms.
How do you prepare the dried wild mushrooms?
Combine 1/2 ounce of dried mushrooms with 1 cup of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes until softened.
Should I keep the mushroom soaking water?
Yes, you should reserve the mushroom liquid to use in the sauce, but be sure to discard any gritty residue at the bottom.
What is the initial cooking step for the green beans?
Blanch them in boiling salted water for 3 minutes until crisp-tender, then immediately move them to ice water.
How is the bacon prepared for the topping?
Cook the bacon pieces until crispy, drain on paper towels, and crumble them into bits to be added as a topping.
Do I use the bacon fat in the recipe?
Yes, you should retain about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings to sauté the cremini mushrooms.
How long should I sauté the cremini mushrooms?
Sauté them over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are lightly browned.
What is used to flavor the cream sauce?
The sauce is flavored with reserved mushroom liquid, half-and-half, fresh rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of fresh rosemary with 1/2 teaspoon of dried, crushed rosemary.
How do you thicken the casserole sauce?
By making a roux with 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, then whisking in liquid.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
What size baking dish is needed?
A greased 2-quart square baking dish is required.
How long does the casserole bake in total?
It bakes for 25-30 minutes initially, plus an additional 5 minutes once the bacon topping is added.
When is the crumbled bacon added to the dish?
The bacon is added after the initial 25-30 minutes of baking, then returned to the oven for 5 more minutes.
Is there garlic in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 minced garlic cloves.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients listed.
Can I use light cream instead of half-and-half?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 2 cups of half-and-half or light cream.
What is the total weight of bacon used?
The recipe uses 7 slices of bacon, which is approximately 8 ounces.
Is this casserole considered a vegetarian dish?
No, this recipe contains 8 ounces of bacon and is not vegetarian.
What type of fresh mushrooms are used alongside the wild ones?
12 ounces of sliced cremini mushrooms are used in addition to the dried wild mushrooms.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 13 grams of fat per serving.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include green bean casserole, bacon, mushroom, vegetable side dish, christmas dinner, and holiday recipes.
What flavor profile does this casserole have?
It is described as having rich, earthy, savory, and creamy flavors with a crispy texture.
What is the protein content?
Each serving provides 6 grams of protein.
How much salt and pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper.