Roasted Mushroom & Green Bean Casserole via NY Times

By Millie Peartree (NYT Cooking / CBS News)

Total Time: ~45 minutes

Yield: 10–12 servings

 

🛒 Ingredients

• 2½ lbs haricots verts (French green beans), trimmed & cut into 1‑inch pieces (we left them whole)
• 1 lb hen of the woods mushrooms (or cremini/oyster/button), bite‑size pieces (we used Costco mushrooms)
• 2 large shallots, halved & thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp extra‑virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt & black pepper
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all‑purpose flour
• 1 quart heavy cream (or half‑and‑half) - this is way too much and way too heavy. Maybe 1/2 quart or 2 cups of half and half.
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning or maybe rosemary salt
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp chicken base concentrate (or ½ bouillon cube)
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1¾ cups grated Parmesan (divided)
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 cups fried shallots or onions (store‑bought or homemade)

 

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep oven → Heat to 400°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Roast veggies → On a parchment‑lined sheet pan, toss beans, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt & pepper. Roast ~30 min, tossing halfway.
• Option: For softer beans, add 3 tbsp water, cover with foil, roast 30–45 min.
3. Make sauce → In saucepan, melt butter over medium‑low. Add flour, whisk 1–2 min until golden. Slowly whisk in cream, cook 6–8 min until thickened.
4. Season & enrich → Add Cajun seasoning, onion & garlic powders, chicken base, nutmeg, pepper. Stir in 1½ cups Parmesan until melted. Adjust seasoning.
5. Combine → Add roasted beans & mushrooms to sauce. Toss until heated through. Transfer to baking dish.
6. Top & broil → Mix panko, fried shallots, and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Spread over casserole. Broil on high 1–2 min until golden & bubbly.
7. Serve hot → Straight from oven, crisp topping intact.

 

📝 Notes

• Texture balance: Roasting deepens flavor; broiling ensures crunch.
• Make‑ahead: Assemble up to step 5, refrigerate, then top & broil before serving.
• Variations: Swap mushrooms, adjust spice blend, or use vegan cream alternatives.