Description
Fresh green beans baked in a creamy goat cheese and garlic sauce, then topped with buttery Parmesan breadcrumbs and crunchy pecans. This elegant green bean gratin is the perfect holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Sunday dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Gratin
- 1 pound fresh thin green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- ¾ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch green beans for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Transfer beans immediately to an ice bath. Drain well and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add goat cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Place green beans in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour goat cheese sauce over the green beans and toss gently to coat.
- In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, pecans, and olive oil.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the topping.
- Fresh green beans provide the best texture, but frozen green beans can be substituted if thawed and drained well.
- For a richer gratin, add an extra ¼ cup Parmesan cheese to the sauce.
- This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: BAKED
- Cuisine: American