Elevate your side dish game with a Cacio e Pepe Green Bean Casserole featuring crisp-tender green beans coated in a luxurious Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese sauce, baked to perfection, and crowned with golden crispy fried onions. Enhance your holiday or family dinners with this gourmet Cacio e Pepe Green Bean Casserole—a perfect blend of sophisticated flavours and comforting textures.
- Cacio e Pepe Green Bean Casserole
- Green Bean Recipe
- Gourmet Casserole
- Homemade Crispy Onions
- Pecorino Romano Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese Sauce
- Holiday Side Dish
- Family Dinner Recipe
- Comfort Food
- Vegetarian Casserole
- Green Bean Dish
- Buttermilk Fried Onions
- Crispy Onion Topping
- Classic Green Bean Casserole
- Elevated Side Dish
- Festive Casserole
- Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Holiday Feast Recipe
- Fresh Green Beans
- Cacio e Pepe Twist
- Crowd-Pleasing Casserole
- Baked Green Beans
- Decadent Side Dish
- Gourmet Family Meal
- Flavorful Vegetable Dish
- Crispy Onion Garnish
- Dinner Party Recipe
- Cheese-Lover’s Delight
- Special Occasion Casserole
- Cacio e Pepe Fusion
- Cheesy Green Bean Bake
- Homemade Comfort Food
- Oven-Baked Casserole
- Delicious Green Bean Recipe
- Golden Crispy Onions
- Pecorino and Parmesan Delight
- Elegant Holiday Side
- Unique Green Bean Dish
- Savory Vegetarian Casserole
- Tasty Family Dinner Idea
- Wholesome Holiday Recipe
- Gourmet Green Bean Delight
- Creamy Vegetable Casserole
- Crowd-pleaser Green Beans
- Classic with a Twist
- Family-Favorite Casserole
- Pecorino Romano Twist
- Parmesan Peppery Delight
- Irresistible Side Dish
- Home-cooked Elegance
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MY INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS RECIPE
What’s the holidays without a great green bean casserole recipe? I know there are many green bean casserole dishes out there, this is my twist of the classic side dish! I love cacio e pepe and thought it would make a perfect, creamy, cheese sauce for the green beans. I have to admit the cripsy fried onions on top add so much flavour and a nice crunch. Let’s just say this Cacio e Pepe Green Bean Casserole is an ideal side dish for any family or holiday dinner. 🧀
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS CACIO E PEPE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
- Flavour Fusion: Discover an unforgettable flavour fusion with the Cacio e Pepe Green Bean Casserole. The combination of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses, freshly ground black pepper, and the crisp-tender green beans creates a dish that tantalizes taste buds with a rich and peppery profile.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Impress your guests with ease by choosing this recipe for your next gathering. With straightforward instructions and simple ingredients, this casserole transforms into an elegant dish that adds a gourmet touch to your holiday or family dinner table.
- Customizable Perfection: Tailor the dish to your preferences with its customizable elements. Adjust the level of freshly ground black pepper, salt, or even try your hand at crafting your own crispy fried onions, allowing you to make this recipe uniquely yours and ensuring it suits the taste preferences of your family and friends.
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INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Fresh Green Beans: Fresh green beans, trimmed to perfection, serve as the vibrant and crisp foundation of this casserole, providing a burst of color and wholesome flavour.
- Unsalted Butter:Acting as the luscious base for the roux, unsalted butter brings a rich and creamy texture to the cheese sauce, infusing each bite with indulgent goodness.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour works its magic in creating a velvety roux that thickens the cheese sauce, ensuring a smooth and cohesive blend that coats the green beans to perfection.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk contributes to the decadent cheese sauce, imparting a creamy consistency that binds the dish together, elevating its overall richness.
- Pecorino Romano Cheese: Grated Pecorino Romano cheese adds a distinctive sharpness and salty kick to the cheese sauce, intensifying the flavour profile with its bold and savoury notes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese complements the Pecorino Romano, bringing a nutty and mellow undertone to the cheese sauce, ensuring a harmonious and balanced taste.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper introduces a peppery zing, perfectly adjustable to taste, enhancing the overall flavour profile and adding a subtle but crucial element of spice.
- Salt: Salt, to taste, plays a crucial role in balancing the flavours, ensuring that each component, from the green beans to the cheese sauce, harmonizes seamlessly for a perfectly seasoned dish.
- Crispy Fried Onions: Whether store-bought or homemade, crispy fried onions crown the casserole with a golden and crunchy finish, providing a delightful contrast in texture and a savoury, aromatic garnish.
- Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil, used for frying the onions, brings the necessary heat to achieve the golden brown crispiness that adds the finishing touch to this delectable casserole.
HOW TO MAKE CACIO E PEPE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
Crispy Fried Onions:
Slice the onion thinly and separate the rings. Place the onion rings in a bowl and cover them with milk. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Take each buttermilk-soaked onion ring, dredge it in the flour mixture until well-coated, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Set aside on a paper towel.
Green Bean Casserole:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.
Add the green beans to the pot with the cacio e pepe cheese sauce. Mix until the green beans are evenly coated.
Transfer the green bean mixture to a greased casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the casserole. Enjoy! 🙂
VIC'S QUICK TIPS FOR CACIO E PEPE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
- Optimal Green Bean Freshness: Trim the green beans just before use to maintain their vibrant colour and crispness during blanching, capturing the essence of this casserole.
- Velvety Cheese Sauce Texture: Achieve a smooth and luxurious texture in the cheese sauce by continuously stirring while melting the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses.
- Crispy Onions for Last-Minute Crunch: Top the casserole with crispy fried onions just before serving to preserve their texture, providing a delightful contrast to the creamy green bean mixture.
- Grease Casserole Dish for Easy Serving: Generously grease the casserole dish to prevent sticking and facilitate a smoother transfer of the green bean mixture, ensuring a picture-perfect presentation
SERVING SUGGESTIONS & STORING
- Presentation Tips: Sprinkle additional freshly ground black pepper on top just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and add an extra burst of flavour.
- Accompaniments:Serve alongside roasted turkey, baked chicken, or as part of a vegetarian holiday feast for a well-rounded meal.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the cacio e pepe cheese sauce and blanch the green beans ahead of time, assembling the casserole just before baking for a time-saving make-ahead option.
- Storage for Later: If storing leftovers, refrigerate the casserole in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain the crispy texture of the fried onions.
- Crispy Onions Freshness: To maintain the crispiness of the fried onions, store them separately from the casserole and sprinkle them on just before serving, especially if enjoying leftovers.
- Reheating: For reheating, use the oven or toaster oven to help maintain the texture of the crispy fried onions and keep the casserole flavourful.
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
- Vegan Version: Replace butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil. Use a plant-based milk substitute such as almond, soy, or oat milk. Substitute Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses with vegan alternatives or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour for both the crispy onions and the cheese sauce roux. Choose gluten-free crispy fried onions or make your own using gluten-free flour.
- Spice it Up: Infuse the cheese sauce with additional spices such as cayenne pepper, paprika, or mustard for an extra kick.
- Air-Fried or Baked Crispy Onions: Opt for a healthier alternative by air-frying or baking the onion rings instead of deep-frying. Coat the thinly sliced onions in a light mist of cooking spray and bake or air-fry until golden brown and crispy, reducing the overall oil content for a guilt-free topping.
RECIPE FAQ
Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance, refrigerate it, and bake it when ready. Just add the crispy onions just before baking to maintain their crunch.
If buttermilk is unavailable, you can use regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle before using.
Absolutely! Instead of deep-frying, you can bake the thinly coated onion rings in the oven or use an air fryer until they are golden brown and crispy.
While fresh green beans are recommended for optimal texture, you can use frozen ones in a pinch. Thaw and pat them dry before blanching to prevent excess water in the casserole.
To maintain the crispy texture of the onions, reheat the leftovers in the oven or toaster oven. Avoid using the microwave, as it may result in sogginess.
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Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs Green Beans ends trimmed
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Milk
- 1 Cup Pepcorncino Romano grated
- 1 Cup Parmesan Reginano grated
- 2 Tablespoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 ½ Cups Crispy Fried Onions
Crispy Fried Onions
- 2 Large Onions
- 2 Cup Milk
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt each
- Vegetable Oil for frying
Instructions:
Crispy Fried Onions
- Slice the onion thinly and separate the rings. Place the onion rings in a bowl and cover them with milk. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.2 Large Onions, 2 Cup Milk
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.1 Cup All Purpose Flour, 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt
- Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Take each buttermilk-soaked onion ring, dredge it in the flour mixture until well-coated, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Set aside on a paper towel.Vegetable Oil
Green Bean Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens.3 Tablespoons Butter, 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour, 2 Cups Milk
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.1 Cup Pepcorncino Romano, 1 Cup Parmesan Reginano, 2 Tablespoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Salt
- Add the green beans to the pot with the cacio e pepe cheese sauce. Mix until the green beans are evenly coated.1.5 lbs Green Beans
- Transfer the green bean mixture to a greased casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the casserole. Enjoy! 🙂1 ½ Cups Crispy Fried Onions
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