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–+ servings
Close-up of creamy One-Pan Thanksgiving Green Beans topped with crispy breadcrumbs and bacon bits.

One-Pan Thanksgiving Green Beans (Minimal Cleanup)

This recipe offers a delicious and easy way to prepare green beans for your Thanksgiving feast with minimal cleanup. It's designed for busy home cooks who want to spend more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 serving(s)
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Green Beans
  • 2 lb. fresh green beans ends cut off, cut in half if desired
For the Sauce
  • 4 slices bacon cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1/2 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 Tbsp. butter
  • 4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt plus more to taste
  • 1 pinch Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 jar sliced pimientos drained, 4 oz.
  • Chicken broth if needed for thinning
For the Topping
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Baking dish
  • Bowl

Method
 

  1. Blanch the green beans: Drop them into lightly salted boiling water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the beans with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into ice cold water to stop the cooking. Drain the beans once cool; set aside.
  2. Add the bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the onion and garlic. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bacon is done (but not crisp) and the onion is golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the milk and half-and-half. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, and cayenne, then add the cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. If the sauce is too thick, add chicken broth as needed. Turn off the heat.
  4. Add the pimientos and the bacon/onion mixture to the sauce. Stir to combine. Pour the sauce over the green beans and stir gently. Pour everything into a baking dish and top with panko breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the panko is golden.

Notes

This recipe was inspired by a desire to simplify holiday cooking without sacrificing flavor, allowing more time to enjoy family and friends.

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