Ritz Cracker Green Bean Casserole: A Needed Thanksgiving Upgrade

cream of mushroom soup

🥗Healthier: homemade mushroom sauce

💰Cheaper: cream of celery soup

Homemade sauce can reduce preservatives, while cream of celery is often less expensive.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while American cheese is often more affordable.

Snip the tops off the green beans and leave them whole.

Remove the stems from shiitake mushrooms and cut them into halves or quarters based on size.

Slice one onion into thin slices.

Chop a clove of garlic and add it to the bowl with thyme.

Prepare a pot of boiling salted water and blanch the green beans for about 2 minutes, then taste for desired crunchiness.

Shock the blanched green beans in ice water, then drain them.

In a high-rimmed sauté or frying pan, add olive oil and a knob of butter to coat the bottom.

Add the shiitake mushrooms to the pan and cook until they develop color.

Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt to the pan, cooking until they become opaque and start to caramelize.

Once the onions are dark, add the garlic and thyme, cooking until fragrant.

Transfer the mushroom and onion mixture to a bowl.

In the same pan, add more butter, garlic, and thyme to infuse the butter.

Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of flour and mix until smooth, adding more butter if needed to achieve a smooth consistency.

Cook the roux until golden brown, then slowly add cherry broth and milk, stirring to combine.

Add 1 cup of turkey broth and bring to a boil to activate the thickening power of the flour.

Strain the sauce into the bowl with the green beans and mushrooms and stir to combine.

Transfer the mixture into a baking dish.

Crush 12 or 13 Ritz crackers into coarse and fine pieces and mix with fried onions and chopped parsley.

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and pour it over the cracker mixture, mixing to coat.

Scatter the topping over the green bean casserole in the baking dish and place it on a sheet tray for safety.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 20 minutes, checking halfway to rotate for even browning.

If the topping browns too much before the casserole bubbles, tent with aluminum foil until bubbling.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens