Make Chrissy Teigen's Famous Green Bean Casserole This Thanksgiving

Chrissy Teigen may be known for her sharp wit and modeling career, but the superstar has also proven her talent in the kitchen. Her recipes are loved by many for being simple yet satisfying dishes, perfect for holiday meals or cozy weeknights alike.

One recipe of Teigen's that shines especially bright is her green bean casserole - a classic Thanksgiving side made even more incredible by Teigen's special touches. As the annual turkey dinner rolls around again, keep reading to discover why you need to add Chrissy Teigen's famous green bean casserole to your holiday spread.

What Makes Teigen's Green Bean Casserole So Crave-Worthy?

For starters, this isn't your run-of-the-mill green bean casserole. Teigen starts by sauteing fresh green beans with savory ham and caramelized onions, rather than relying solely on canned cream soup and frozen green beans like many recipes.

The casserole is then layered with a mixture of cream of mushroom soup, half and half cream, a sprinkling of thyme and Worcestershire sauce for an extra savory depth. And of course, there's the crispy fried onion topping that takes the whole dish to the next level in texture.

But we all know the best dishes come down to the small touches - like Teigen suggests garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs - because simple gourmet touches turn an ordinary casserole into a memorable, moment-making kind of meal.

Key Ingredients That Elevate Flavor

• Fresh green beans: For texture and snap
• Ham: Adds a salty, smoky flavor
• Caramelized onions: Sweet, deep flavor
• Creamy mushroom soup: Adds rich creaminess
• Half and half: Makes it extra creamy
• Thyme and Worcestershire: Flavor boost
• Crispy fried onions: The crispy topping everyone craves

When you combine fresh green beans and savory mix-ins with creaminess and crunch, magic happens. It's a cozy, comforting taste of a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Assembling the Casserole

Baking a rich and delicious Teigen-approved green bean casserole is easier than you may think. Just follow these simple steps and you'll have a holiday side dish to impress your guests.

Prep the Fresh Green Beans

Start with about 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans. Wash them under running water to remove any dirt or debris, then trim the ends and any blemished spots with a knife. Cut the beans into bite-sized pieces.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the trimmed and cut green beans and blanch for just 1 minute. This quick blanch helps brighten the beans' color while still leaving them firm with a good crunch.

Drain the beans immediately in a colander and rinse under cold tap water. Set aside to add to the casserole later once excess water has drained off.

Mix Up the Filling

As the beans blanch, start preparing the sauce mixture that forms the base of the casserole by whisking together in a medium bowl:

• 1 (10.75 ounce) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup half and half cream
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Season with a pinch or two of salt, but taste the mixture first since canned soup and ham tend to already be quite salty.

Construct the Casserole Layers

Preheat your oven to 400degF. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

Layer the bottom of the casserole dish evenly with:

• 1 cup diced ham
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• The drained blanched green beans

Pour the creamy soup-based sauce evenly over the top to coat the beans and fillings. Top with 1 1/2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese.

Crown with Crispy, Crunchy Onions

For texture contrast, liberally top the cheesy green bean mixture with crunchy fried onions. Approximately 2 cups is perfect to give each bite crispy onion goodness.

Teigen calls for French's brand crispy onions which you can find near the croutons in most grocery stores. Give the bag of onions a few crunching squeezes between your hands to break them into smaller pieces before scattering them over the casserole.

Baking and Serving Suggestions

Bake Until Hot and Bubbly

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking 15 minutes more until the top is golden brown.

Allow the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps set up the creamy sauce while also preventing burns since the inside will be extremely hot when first out of the oven.

Garnish with Fresh Thyme and Vegetables

For extra flavor and natural beauty, garnish the casserole with fresh sprigs of thyme plus whatever vegetables are served alongside like roasted Brussels sprouts or glazed carrots.

The casserole pairs especially well with Teigen's famous Parmesan-crusted grilled asparagus or a sliced garlic loaf for soaking up the luscious creamy sauce.

Storing Leftovers Safely

With such mouthwatering flavors, you can expect this green bean casserole to go quickly on Thanksgiving. But as the holidays often gift us with leftovers to enjoy for days after, properly storing the remaining casserole is key.

Refrigerate in Airtight Containers

Let any uneaten portion cool completely before packing into airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work best.

Avoid storing in aluminum foil or the original baking dish, as exposure to air causes the casserole to dry out over time.

Lasts Up to 5 Days When Properly Stored

When sealed in an airtight container, the refrigerated casserole keeps well for 4-5 days. The texture of the green beans starts to suffer after that.

Reheating Tips

To serve leftovers, remove desired portions from the refrigerator and let come closer to room temp for 15-30 minutes before reheating. Reheat in a 375degF oven or microwave until hot, stirring halfway through microwaving.

For the best taste and texture, plan to enjoy leftovers within a week. The creamy sauce soaks into the green beans more over time, resulting in a softer casserole.

The History Behind Chrissy Teigen's Obsession

So how did this global superstar develop such an affinity for humble green bean casserole in the first place? Sources say it stems from nostalgia for the dishes she grew up enjoying.

Teigen has mentioned in interviews that her love for the traditional Thanksgiving staple harkens back to childhood when her mother would make it every year. And still today with her own family, Teigen carries on that tradition so her daughter Luna can enjoy green bean casserole just like mom used to make.

Husband John Legend even shared that the casserole remains a staple side at their annual Friendsgiving celebrations. Clearly, Teigen stands firmly on the pro-green bean casserole side of the debate!

Healthy Tweaks to Lighten Up This Comfort Food

What would a Chrissy Teigen recipe be without her clever spins on bringing out flavors? Her green bean casserole calls for making one swap that cuts calories without sacrificing that comforting creaminess.

Replace Fried Onions with Crispy Panko

Rather than canned fried onions, she suggests sprinkling buttery toasted panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes on top for crunch. This removes excess oil for a healthier crunch.

For ultimate nutrition, swap out half the cream soup for an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. This adds a boost of protein while lowering fat and calories.

Other Diet-Friendly Considerations

• Use reduced-sodium soup
• Replace half the cheese with cauliflower
• Blend cashew cream into soup base
• Sub a whole grain like farro for white rice

No need to skip out just because you're watching your figure. With a few easy substitutions, you can still indulge in green bean bliss.

Tips For Making the Creamiest Casserole

Over her years of green bean casserole-making experience, Chrissy Teigen has picked up some wisdom worth passing down. Follow these suggestions and you'll have the most decadent, craveable casserole around.

Par-Blanching Is Key

As we learned earlier when prepping the beans, briefly blanching them before mixing into the casserole helps them hold their shape instead of turning to mush.

Make Ahead For Stress-Free Feasts

You can prep the casserole up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Setting up a make-ahead station is Teigen's top tip for minimizing Thanksgiving Day madness!

Stir Well Before Baking

Give the chilled casserole a good stir to evenly distribute all the ingredients before popping it in the oven. This guarantees every bite is well-saturated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this different from regular green bean casserole?

Teigen's recipe stands out by using fresh green beans, ham, and caramelized onions instead of just canned and frozen ingredients. It also skips corn flakes or other crushed cereal as a topping in favor of French fried onions from the can.

Can I make it vegetarian or gluten-free?

Yes, simply omit the ham to make it meatless. Use certified gluten-free soup and soy sauce. Check that the fried onions are gluten-free certified as well. Substitute gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for a crunch topping if needed.

What can I do with the leftovers?

Enjoy scoops of the casserole on salads, nachos, baked potatoes, or omelets. You can also stir casserole leftovers into pasta dishes, risotto, or mac and cheese for extra richness.

Holiday side dishes don't get more timeless or tasty than this modern spin on classic green bean casserole. With fresh flavors from Teigen's special touches like ham and caramelized onions, it makes for an easy, elegant Thanksgiving meal.

As Teigen would be the first to tell you herself - sometimes traditional dishes exist for good reason. But with little upgrades like using higher quality ingredients, even classics like green bean casserole can be taken to new heights.