Pioneer Woman Cajun Green Bean Casserole

Pioneer Woman Cajun green bean casserole takes 1 hour and fresh green beans, bacon and a creamy sauce to make a spicy, crunchy-topped side dish. Try this easy Thanksgiving green bean casserole for Christmas dinner or potluck night, since it's a make-ahead friendly comfort food that feeds a crowd.

Cook the green beans only until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then rinse them under cold water. Leave them in longer and they turn mushy in the oven, so the casserole ends up limp instead of crunchy.

Making the sauce from scratch with a butter and flour paste, milk and half-and-half gives you a thick, smooth base that canned soup can't match. Stirring bacon, garlic, celery, onion and bell pepper into it, along with Cajun seasoning on the fried onion topping, builds spice in every layer.

Pioneer Woman Cajun Green Bean Casserole

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Course: Side DishCuisine: American, CajunDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

40

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

290

kcal

Crisp-tender green beans sit in a creamy, smoky sauce with bacon and sweet peppers. A crunchy layer of seasoned fried onions browns on top while the sauce bubbles underneath.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for the water
  

• 2 lb. green beans, ends trimmed, halved crosswise
  

• tbsp. plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
  

• 4 strips bacon, chopped
  

• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  

• 2 stalks celery, chopped
  

• 1 small onion, chopped
  

• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
  

• 1 tbsp. plus 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  

• 4 tbsp. salted butter
  

• 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  

• 2 1/2 c. whole milk
  

• 1/2 c. half-and-half
  

• 2 tsp. hot sauce
  

• 2 2.8-oz. cans crispy fried onions (about 3 cups)
  

Directions

• Blanch the green beans: Preheat the oven to 375°F, then bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the green beans for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender, then drain, run them under cold water and pat dry.
• Cook the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the chopped bacon for 3 to 4 minutes until just crisp. Add the garlic, celery, onion and bell pepper and cook about 5 minutes until they soften. Then stir in 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and remove from the heat.
• Make the cream sauce: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, then sprinkle in the flour and stir to make a paste. Cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk and half-and-half and simmer gently for about 2 minutes until thick and smooth.
• Season the sauce: Whisk the hot sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt into the thickened sauce. Taste it once everything is combined, since the bacon and Cajun seasoning already add salt.
• Combine and assemble: Add the bacon-vegetable mixture and the green beans to the Dutch oven and mix well to coat. Then transfer everything to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Add the onion topping: Toss the crispy fried onions with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium bowl, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and toss again. Scatter them evenly over the casserole.
• Bake the casserole: Bake for about 15 minutes. It's ready when the sauce is bubbly and the topping is browned.

Tools for this recipe

• Lodge 6-quart enameled Dutch oven, Pyrex 9x13 glass baking dish, OXO 11-inch balloon whisk, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make Cajun green bean casserole ahead of time?

You can blanch the beans, cook the vegetables and make the sauce a day ahead and keep them in the fridge. Then assemble, add the onion topping just before baking, and bake as written so the topping stays crunchy.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, since the microwave softens the fried onion topping.

What can I use instead of bacon?

Skip the bacon and cook the vegetables in a bit more olive oil or butter. You'll lose some smoky flavor, so a little extra Cajun seasoning helps make up for it.

Can I use frozen green beans?

Fresh beans give the best snap, but thawed frozen green beans will work in a pinch. Pat them very dry so they don't thin out the sauce.

What's the biggest mistake with green bean casserole?

Overcooking the beans is the most common problem, since they keep softening in the oven. Pull them from the boiling water at crisp-tender and cool them quickly so they hold their texture.