Do you love the classic cheesy green bean casserole? If so, you can still indulge in this dish even while following a keto diet. The Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is a twist on a classic dish that brings together the goodness of fresh green beans, two kinds of cheese, heavy cream, bacon, and other seasonings in a delicious Keto-friendly recipe! This side dish is perfect for holidays and family gatherings! With a few modifications, you can enjoy a guilt-free version of cheesy green bean casserole that still tastes just as delicious as the original.
Traditional green bean casserole recipes often include ingredients unsuitable for a keto diet. The most problematic ingredient is usually the canned cream of mushroom soup, which is typically high in carbs and contains not keto-friendly additives. But don't worry! This keto green bean casserole recipe is low-carb and gluten-free, allowing you to enjoy it guilt-free while sticking to your diet.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is the perfect combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy all of your cheesy cravings. Whether you’re hosting your family for the holidays, a dinner party, or just looking for a comforting weeknight meal, this green bean casserole with cheese is sure to impress. What sets this green bean casserole recipe apart from the rest is the fact that it is a healthy recipe, using only whole ingredients.
Key Ingredients
- Green Beans: Fresh or frozen work fine. Green beans only have 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2 cup serving, making them a great choice for the keto diet. If using frozen beans, do not blanch them but be sure to thaw and drain thoroughly before adding to the baking dish. Four cups of canned green beans are equivalent to around 1 pound of fresh green beans. If you are concerned about your fresh green beans getting mushy, you can blanch them before mixing them with the sauce. To do this, add the green beans to salted boiling water (around 1 teaspoon of salt per 8 cups of water) and cook them for 5-7 minutes. Drain before coating with the sauce.
- Cheese: Shredded Cheddar Cheese - I like to use mild or medium cheddar but you could use sharp cheddar cheese if you like the stronger flavor. Use fresh shredded cheese! Pre-shredded has a coating of starch on it to keep it from sticking together in clumps. You can incorporate shredded cheese between the layers or on top of the casserole before baking.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled, bacon adds a savory and delicious element to the casserole.
- Heavy Cream: Sauce made with heavy cream will thicken on its own. Heavy cream helps thicken the sauce without the use of any flours or thickeners.
- Mushrooms: Button mushrooms add an earthy flavor to the casserole.
- Cream Cheese: It created a really creamy base for this green bean casserole instead.
- Chicken Broth: Adds savory flavor and helps loosen the sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Boil the green beans in well-salted water until fork tender, approximately 10 minutes. Drain the water and set aside. If you’re using frozen green beans, thaw and drain them well first. They don’t need to be boiled, but make sure they’re not icy or watery before adding to the sauce.
Making the Sauce
- While the green beans boil, sauté the onions, mushrooms, and garlic until caramelized. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add the chicken stock and be sure to scrape all the bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cream cheese and allow it to melt and warm up. Taste test and add salt if needed.
Assembling the Casserole
- Mix in the green beans until everything is evenly combined and transfer everything into a casserole dish.
- Top with cheddar and pop into the oven until the cheese is melted and bubble.
Baking
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes or until green beans are tender. When you’re ready to bake it, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Tips and Tricks
- Make-Ahead Preparation: If you are prepping this Cheesy Bacon Green Bean Casserole ahead of time, you can do all of the steps up until adding bacon. Then cover it with foil and refrigerate for 1-2 days. Then take it out of the fridge, add bacon, and bake as directed. You can prepare the casserole ahead of time by assembling it up to the baking step. Simply cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Serving: Bacon Green Bean Casserole is best served right out of the oven.
- Freezing: You can make this casserole ahead of time (minus the bacon) and cover tightly with aluminum foil then freeze for up to 3 months.
- Almond Flour Topping: Create a topping using a mixture of almond flour, butter, and a pinch of seasoning to replace or complement the fried onions.
- Crispy Bacon Addition: Fry or bake some bacon until crispy, crumble it, and sprinkle it over the casserole before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
- Dairy-Free Option: To make a dairy-free version of the Keto Green Bean Casserole, substitute the butter with olive oil or a dairy-free margarine, and use a dairy-free cream alternative or coconut milk for the condensed soup and heavy cream. Coconut cream may not thicken as well, so you can whisk in 1/4 tsp xanthan gum if you find the cream sauce very thin.
- Cheese Substitutions: This keto green bean casserole is delicious with mozzarella, cheddar, gruyere, or any cheese you prefer.
- Nut-Free Topping: If you don't want or like almonds you can crush up plain pork rinds and sprinkle them over the top and then bake as accordingly. The pork rinds are low in carb and will give you a nice crunch factor that you want. Mix melted butter into crushed pork rinds and parmesan.
- Fresh Herbs: Enhance the flavors with fresh herbs.
Reheating Instructions
From the Refrigerator
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the casserole from the fridge and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
From the Freezer
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the foil and plastic wrap, then cover with foil and bake for about 45-60 minutes.
- Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes to allow the top to crisp. Check for doneness by ensuring it is heated all the way through.
Serving Suggestions
This keto-friendly green bean casserole is so versatile as a side dish. It goes with so many different meal options. This Green Bean Cheese Casserole is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, family dinners, potlucks, or just a regular weeknight meal.
Nutritional Information
Traditional versions of this side dish have quite a few carbs from the canned mushroom soup and the french fried onion topping. However, this keto green bean casserole recipe has 6.7g of carbs and 1.7g of fiber per serving. That amounts to only 5g net carbs.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Is Green Bean Casserole Keto-Friendly?
Traditional green bean casserole recipes are not keto-friendly due to the high carb content of canned cream of mushroom soup and fried onions. However, with a few modifications, it can be made keto-friendly.
Can You Make Keto Green Bean Casserole Ahead?
Yes, you certainly can. Just follow the recipe and prepare the casserole up to the point of baking it, but leave off the cheese crisps. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Then bake as directed.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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