Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe

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• 1 ½ lb fresh green beans trimmed and cut in half
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 ½ lb. fresh green beans trimmed and cut in half
• 4 slices uncooked bacon chopped
  Ingredient note

  Source: 4 slices uncooked bacon chopped
• 12 ounces white or cremini mushrooms sliced
  Ingredient note

  Source: 12 ounces white or cremini mushrooms sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
  Ingredient note

  Source: ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  Ingredient note

  Source: ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup half and half
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 cup half and half
• 2 cups fried onions (onion straws)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 cups fried onions (onion straws)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Plunge into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and spread in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish.
2. Meanwhile, add the chopped bacon to a large skillet over medium heat. After 2 minutes, add the sliced mushrooms. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the mushrooms are browned. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring continuously. Using a slotted spoon, remove the mixture and put it in the casserole dish with the green beans. Toss gently to combine. Reserve the bacon grease.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
4. Add enough butter to the skillet to make up to 3 tablespoons of fat. Melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for 2 minutes while whisking very frequently. Whisk in the salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Whisk in the chicken broth and half and half, alternating between the two. Simmer whisking frequently until smooth, creamy, and thickened.
5. Pour over the top of the green bean mixture. Sprinkle with crispy fried onions and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and browned.