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Creamy Make-Ahead Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

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A reliable, creamy green bean casserole that uses a slow cooker to prevent sauce separation. This make-ahead friendly side dish ensures velvety texture and crisp-tender beans, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1.5 cups crispy fried onions for topping

Instructions

  1. Blanch green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking, then drain and pat dry thoroughly.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and nutmeg; whisk for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Whisk continuously until smooth and heated through, but do not let it boil.
  4. Transfer blanched green beans to a slow cooker. Pour the warm sauce mixture over the beans and toss to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Cover and cook on High for 15 minutes to meld flavors. If making ahead, cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
  6. If refrigerated, let mixture sit out for 30 minutes. Place insert back in slow cooker and cook on Low for 1-2 hours until heated through and beans are tender.
  7. About 20 minutes before serving, stir in shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let melt into the sauce.
  8. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir into the hot casserole. Cover and cook on High for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  9. Just before serving, sprinkle crispy fried onions over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not skip blanching the green beans; it sets the color and ensures even cooking. Use fresh shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Add fried onions only at the very end to maintain crunch. If the sauce is too thin, cook longer on High to activate the cornstarch. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: green bean casserole, crockpot recipes, holiday side dishes, make-ahead dinner, slow cooker green beans, Thanksgiving sides, creamy casserole

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