Easy & Healthy Keto Green Bean Casserole (A Low-Carb Classic Reinvented!)

Easy & Healthy Keto Green Bean Casserole (A Low-Carb Classic Reinvented!)

Enjoy a beloved holiday classic with a healthy, low-carb twist with this Easy & Healthy Keto Green Bean Casserole!Fresh green beans are tossed in a rich, creamy sauce made with savory bacon, mushrooms, and onions, then baked until bubbly and golden. This dairy-free friendly recipe is a delightful addition to your health journey, proving that healthy eating can still be incredibly delicious, even here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!

Yields: 6-8 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30-35 minutes (plus bacon cooking time)

Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon (preferably sugar-free)
   
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup onion, diced
• ⅔ cup half and half cream (Dairy-Free Option: ½ cup full-fat canned coconut milk)
• ⅓ cup 2% milk (Dairy-Free Option: ½ cup unsweetened almond milk)
• ¼ cup full-fat cream cheese, softened (Dairy-Free Option: ¼ cup dairy-free cream cheese alternative)
• 1 ¼ teaspoons sea salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed

Equipment:

• Large frying pan or skillet
• Paper towel-lined plate
• Large pot
• Colander
• 8×8 inch baking pan
   
• Food processor (optional, for bacon crumbs)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    
   • Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until they are VERY golden brown and crispy on each side.
   • Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Blot off any excess fat from the bacon.
      
   • Carefully discard most of the bacon fat from the pan, reserving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
2. Cook Mushrooms & Onion: Heat the pan with the reserved bacon fat to medium-high. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Prepare Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add in the half and half cream (or full-fat coconut milk), 2% milk (or unsweetened almond milk), softened cream cheese (or dairy-free alternative), sea salt, and pepper to the pan with the mushrooms and onion.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken, about 4 minutes.
   • Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes VERY thick, resembling condensed soup, about 7-8 minutes.
4. Blanch Green Beans: While the sauce is thickening, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook until they are just beginning to become fork-tender, about 7-8 minutes. (They should still have a slight bite).
   • Drain the green beans thoroughly and pat as much of the water off them with a paper towel as possible. This helps prevent a watery casserole.
5. Combine & Bake: Add the blanched green beans into the thick creamy sauce in the frying pan. Stir until the green beans are well coated.
   • Press the green bean and sauce mixture evenly into an 8×8 inch baking pan.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
6. Prepare & Add Bacon Topping: While the casserole bakes, place the cooled, crispy bacon in a food processor and pulse until small crumbs form. Alternatively, chop it finely by hand.
   • Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the bacon crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole.
   • Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp up the bacon topping and meld flavors.
7. Serve & Enjoy! Remove from the oven. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this easy and delicious Keto Green Bean Casserole!

Tips for Success:

• Crispy Bacon is Key: Cooking the bacon until very crispy is essential for both flavor and texture in the topping.
• Drain Green Beans Well: Patting the green beans dry after boiling helps prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
   
• Thickening the Sauce: Be patient and stir the sauce constantly until it thickens properly. This creates a rich, cohesive casserole.
• Dairy-Free Option: Full-fat canned coconut milk (not the beverage kind) and dairy-free cream cheese are excellent substitutes if you need a dairy-free version. The coconut milk will contribute a slight coconut flavor, which blends well with the savory notes.
• Customization: You can add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to the sauce if you like, or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:

This Keto Green Bean Casserole is a delightful addition to your health journey!

• Low-Carb: Yes, by using fresh green beans and a cream-based sauce without traditional high-carb thickeners or fried onions.
   
• High Fat: Yes, from the bacon, cream, and cream cheese.
• Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly, provided the half and half and 2% milk are used in moderation (as they contain some lactose) or the dairy-free alternatives are chosen. All other listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
• Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.