Get ready to transform your classic green bean casserole into a creamy, dreamy vegan masterpiece that will have even meat-lovers asking for seconds! This revolutionary recipe takes the comfort food you know and love and gives it a plant-based makeover that's so delicious, you won't believe it's completely dairy-free. With the rich, luxurious coconut milk sauce and crispy fried onion topping, this casserole is about to become your new favorite holiday side dish - or weeknight dinner sensation!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fried onions (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or vegan butter to prevent sticking.
- Wash and trim the green beans, cutting them into 1-2 inch pieces. Blanch the green beans in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Immediately drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their crisp texture.
- In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions over medium heat until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Whisk in nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Drain the blanched green beans and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Add the green beans to the coconut milk sauce, gently stirring to coat them evenly.
- Transfer the green bean and sauce mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole, creating a crispy topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the fried onion topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes serving easier.
- Serve hot as a delicious side dish, garnishing with additional fresh herbs like parsley or chives if desired.
Tips
- Blanching Perfection: Don't skip the blanching step! This technique ensures your green beans stay bright green and maintain a perfect crisp-tender texture.
- Coconut Milk Magic: Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest, most luxurious sauce possible. Light coconut milk can make the sauce too thin.
- Nutritional Yeast Hack: The nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, savory flavor that makes this casserole incredibly satisfying without any dairy.
- Crispy Topping Trick: For extra crunch, toast the fried onions for a minute in a dry skillet before sprinkling them on top of the casserole.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this casserole up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just add the fried onion topping right before baking.
- Customize Your Casserole: Feel free to add some sliced mushrooms or swap out some green beans with other vegetables for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg
