A Healthy Green Bean Casserole Recipe for Thanksgiving

Green bean casserole is the perfect side dish for any Thanksgiving meal. Here’s a recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
 

Ingredients

  • 2½ pounds green beans, trimmed and cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)
  • 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white or black pepper
  • 2½ cups low-fat milk
  • 1½ cups fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs or ½ cup shredded or crumbled cheese

 

Directions

  1. First, position racks on the upper and lower third of your oven. Then, preheat to 425°F.
  2. Next, toss green beans in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon oil until well coated. Divide between 2 baking sheets and spread in an even layer. Roast the green beans, stirring once and rotating the pans top to bottom about halfway through, until tender and beginning to brown (20 to 25 minutes).
  3. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until very soft and golden brown (5 to 8 minutes). Add flour, salt and pepper and cook, stirring for about 1 minute more. Then, add milk and continue to stir, scraping up any browned bits. Stir while this cooks until the sauce bubbles and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 4 minutes). Remove from the heat. 
  4. When the green beans are done, remove from the oven. Preheat the broiler.
  5. Transfer half the green beans to a 2-quart, broiler-safe baking dish. Spread half the sauce over the green beans. Add the remaining green beans and top with the remaining sauce.
  6. Combine breadcrumbs and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl (skip this step if you are topping with cheese).
  7. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture (or cheese) over the gratin. Place under the broiler and broil, watching closely, until the gratin is bubbling and beginning to brown on top (1 to 5 minutes). Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.