Cheesy Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray your casserole dish with olive oil and set it aside.
2. Prepare the beans. Cut the ends off and then cut the beans in half. We'll need to blanch them to speed up the cooking process. So drop them in boiling water for 3-4 min. Then take them out and immediately put them in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. It will keep them tender but crispy. Let them cool and then drain them in a colander. You can put the green beans in the casserole dish.
3. Heat the skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and fry it for a few minutes, then add red pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook for a few more minutes until the bacon is done and onion is golden brown. If you don't eat red meat, swap bacon for chicken, and you'll have an equally tasty chicken and green bean casserole.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk it immediately to avoid any clumping. Cook for a couple of minutes and then stir in milk and half-and-half. Cook it for a few extra minutes while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne. Mix the spices in. Stir in the cheese and cook until it melts. Take the saucepan off the stove.
5. Add bacon and onion mixture into the sauce. Mix it and pour it over green beans. Sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs.
6. Bake it in the oven for approximately 30min or until golden brown.
7. Serve green bean casserole with mashed sweet potatoes, cauliflower "mashed potatoes," Thanksgiving turkey and homemade cranberry sauce. Enjoy!