Grandma's Famous Green Beans Au Gratin

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 spanish onion, chopped
• 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, minced
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 2 lbs fresh cut green beans
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1/2 cup dry wine
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 1 (5 ounce) jar sharp cheese spread (kraft old english)
• 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 (2 7/8 ounce) can french's french fried onions

Recipe

• 1 wash and de-string green beans; blot dry; slice off bean ends; cut green beans to 2 1/2 inches in length; preheat oven to 350°f; lightly butter a 2.5 quart dish or 9x13 baking dish; place oven rack in center position; prep the remaining saute ingredients (snip the bacon using kitchen shears, into small pieces); shred 12 ounces (3 cups) sharp cheddar cheese and set aside.
• 2 into a 3 quart heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil; add the chopped bacon, onion, mushrooms, minced parsley, minced garlic, saute until onions have softened and mushrooms deepen in color.
• 3 add green beens; stir in celery salt and fresh ground pepper; cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until green beans are crisp-tender and slightly lighter in color.
• 4 melt 1/2 cup butter in a 2-3 quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in 1/2 cup flour and cook slowly until bubbly but not browned.
• 5 combine the half and half with the wine, then add the seasonings and whisk (mustard powder, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper); pour mixture into roux while whisking constantly; cook until fully thickened.
• 6 remove from heat; stir in the contents of one jar kraft old english sharp cheese spread, and 2 cups of the grated cheese until cheeses are melted and sauce is creamy.
• 7 fold the green bean saute mixture into cheese sauce until blended, without over-mixing (mixture will be thick); spread mixture into prepared baking dish.
• 8 place casserole into preheated 350°f oven; bake for 25 minutes.
• 9 spread the 1 cup remaining shredded cheddar cheese over top of casserole; top casserole evenly with parmesan cheese, then one 2.8 ounce can french's french fried onions; bake casserole for 2-3 additional minutes just until cheese is melted and onion topping is golden browned (be careful not to burn onion topping!); let set slightly before serving.
• 10 serve and enjoy!