Cheesy Green Beans with Bacon
This recipe creates a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender green beans with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and onions, all enveloped in a creamy processed cheese sauce. It's a rich and comforting side, or even a main course, that comes together in under an hour, offering a satisfying blend of textures and savory notes.
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven For cooking bacon, sautéing vegetables, and combining ingredients
- 1 Slotted Spoon For removing cooked bacon from fat
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping onion and possibly mushrooms
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing vegetables
- 1 Measuring Cup For water and cheese sauce
Ingredients
Main
- 10 slices bacon
- 2 16 ounce packages frozen cut green beans
- 1 cup water
- 1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
- 0.75 cup chopped onion
- 0.75 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 16 ounce jar processed cheese sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon slices over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove cooked bacon with a slotted spoon, place on paper towels to drain, and crumble once cooled. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add sliced fresh mushrooms and chopped onion to the skillet with reserved bacon grease. Sauté over medium heat until mushrooms are browned and onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the frozen cut green beans and 1 cup of water into the skillet. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until green beans are tender. Drain any excess liquid if necessary.
- Stir in the processed cheese sauce and ground black pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese sauce is heated through and well combined. Do not boil.
- Fold in the crumbled cooked bacon.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
For superior flavor, ensure bacon is rendered until crisp and then remove, reserving a portion of the fat for sautéing the mushrooms and onions. This foundation builds depth. When adding the cheese sauce, stir constantly over low heat to ensure a smooth, uniform texture and prevent it from breaking. Consider using fresh, blanched green beans instead of frozen for a more vibrant color and crisp-tender bite. A pinch of red pepper flakes could add a subtle kick, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving would enhance presentation and freshness.