Description
This comforting Butter Bean Casserole features tender butter beans and fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce topped with a crispy parmesan breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a hearty main course or a satisfying side dish, this casserole blends simple ingredients into a wholesome, flavorful bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup onions, finely diced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 (15 oz) cans butter (or lima) beans
Seasonings
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (for sauce)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
Topping
- 2 cups bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced carrots, finely diced onions, and chopped celery. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Season and Add Beans: Season the vegetables with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder. Stir in the drained butter beans and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
- Create the Sauce Base: Add 3 tablespoons butter to the skillet and stir until melted. Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the mixture and cook, stirring continuously, for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups milk while stirring constantly. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens.
- Incorporate Cheese and Combine: Stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) until evenly combined with the sauce and bean mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the entire bean and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 2 cups bread crumbs, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix thoroughly to create a crumbly topping.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving warm as a main course or side dish.
Notes
- You can substitute butter beans with lima beans or cannellini beans if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and bread crumbs.
- To make the dish richer, substitute whole milk with half-and-half or cream.
- Adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can enhance the flavor.
- Make sure to drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
