Green Beans And Cheese: A Quick, Tasty Dish

Green beans are a delicious and nutritious side dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. For a quick and easy option, roasting or sautéing green beans with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese is a tasty choice. If you're looking for something more indulgent, try making creamy cheesy green beans by baking them with shredded cheese, cream, and butter. Fresh green beans are typically in season during the summer, but they make a great side dish for holiday meals as well.

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How to cook green beans and cheese in the oven

Ingredients

• Green beans
• Cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Gruyere, Provolone, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or any dairy-free alternative)
• Olive oil (or avocado oil, melted butter, or nonstick cooking oil spray)
• Garlic (freshly minced or garlic powder)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon (optional)
• Parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or aluminium foil. If using aluminium foil, lightly grease it with nonstick cooking oil spray.

Trim the stem ends of the green beans. Pat them dry with a paper towel, ensuring they are nice and dry before tossing them in olive oil. Place the green beans on the baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer with a little space around each one to ensure they brown rather than steam.

Drizzle olive oil, and sprinkle salt and pepper over the green beans. You can also add garlic for extra flavour. Toss to coat evenly and spread them out again if needed.

Place the green beans in the oven for 15 to 25 minutes, or until they are fork-tender, lightly browned, and slightly crispy.

Remove the green beans from the oven and sprinkle grated or shredded cheese on top. Return the beans to the oven and broil or grill until the cheese melts and becomes golden brown (about 4-5 minutes).

Remove from the oven and add a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of parsley if desired. Season with extra salt and pepper, as needed. Serve immediately.

Tips

• If you want to save time, buy pre-trimmed green beans.
• You can also add toasted almonds or lemon zest for extra flavour.
• If you are vegan or dairy-free, you can use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast, or simply leave out the cheese entirely.

Green beans and cheese on the stove

This is a simple, tasty, and quick recipe that can be cooked entirely on the stove. It is a great side dish for Thanksgiving or any meal.

First, you can blanch the green beans ahead of time. To do this, boil them and then shock them in an ice bath to halt the cooking process. Drain them and put them in the fridge for later.

When you are ready to cook, heat some butter in a pan on medium heat. Add the green beans and cook until they reach your desired tenderness. For al dente beans, cook them for less time, and for softer beans, cook them for longer. This should take around 4-5 minutes.

Next, add some garlic to the pan and cook until it is fragrant and soft. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

Finally, add your cheese and cover the pan with a lid, if you have one, so that the cheese melts. You can use shredded mozzarella, sliced mozzarella, Swiss cheese, Gruyere, Provolone, or Monterey Jack. Top with toasted panko and serve while hot.

For some extra heat, you can add some ground cayenne pepper or crispy jalapeños.

Using fresh vs. canned green beans

Fresh green beans are available in the summer, and they are easy to grow in your garden. They can be bought from a farmer's market or grown yourself, either as bush varieties or pole beans. Fresh beans are fibrous and tough, and they need to be cleaned and trimmed before cooking. They can be steamed in a steamer or the microwave until they reach the desired level of doneness.

Canned green beans are more convenient as they cook quickly and may be cheaper than fresh beans. They are also softer than fresh beans, which is not ideal for roasting but can be good for making casseroles. Canned beans are also pre-cooked, so they just need to be heated up, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. They are also a good option for those who don't like the texture of fresh beans, as they are softer and less fibrous.

However, fresh beans win in terms of nutritional value. Canned beans lose some essential minerals in the processing, and they are significantly lower in vitamin C and potassium than fresh beans. They also have a much higher sodium content. Rinsing the canned beans before consumption can help to reduce the sodium content.

Overall, both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Fresh beans are more nutritious, but canned beans are more convenient and cheaper. Canned beans are also preferred by some people due to their softer texture.

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Best cheeses for green beans

Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be paired with a variety of cheeses to create delicious meals. Here are some of the best cheeses to consider when cooking with green beans:

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella cheese is a popular choice for green beans, especially when roasted. Its stringy, melted texture and mild flavour make it a perfect pairing for green beans. To make cheesy roasted green beans with mozzarella, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking oil spray and arrange the green beans in a single layer. In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this mixture over the green beans and toss to coat evenly. Bake for 20 minutes until the green beans are tender and crispy. Remove from the oven and top with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese melts and turns golden, about 4-5 minutes.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is another excellent option for green beans. It has a strong, nutty flavour that can enhance the taste of green beans. Parmesan roasted green beans are a popular preparation method. To make this dish, season the green beans with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before roasting them in the oven until tender, about 20 minutes. Top with freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese and return to the oven until the cheese melts. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh parsley for added brightness and flavour.

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a classic, versatile option that pairs well with green beans. It has a sharp, tangy flavour that can add a creamy texture to your dish. To make cheesy green beans with cheddar, start by cooking the green beans until they reach your desired tenderness. Add butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt. You can also add toasted panko and cayenne pepper for some crunch and spice.

Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola

For a more intense flavour, consider using crumbled blue cheese or Gorgonzola with your green beans. These cheeses have a strong, pungent flavour that can add depth to your dish. You can also add pimientos or diced sweet red peppers for extra colour and a burst of flavour.

These are just a few of the best cheeses to pair with green beans. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses such as Swiss cheese, Gruyere, Provolone, or Monterey Jack to find your favourite combination!

Green bean and cheese leftovers

If you have any leftovers of your green bean and cheese dish, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the type of dish you have prepared will determine the optimal storage method and reheating process.

For instance, if you have made a green bean casserole, you can store it covered in the refrigerator for three to four days. When reheating a single portion, simply place it on a plate and microwave it for about 30 seconds. If you're reheating a larger amount, put the whole casserole dish in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. It's recommended to let the dish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before reheating in the oven to prevent cracking.

On the other hand, if you have made roasted or baked green beans with cheese, such as the Cheesy Green Beans Au Gratin Bake, you can also store them in the refrigerator for three to four days. These dishes can be reheated in the oven to retain their crispy texture.

Additionally, you can get creative with your leftovers and incorporate them into new dishes. For instance, you can use leftover green beans in pasta with pesto and potatoes, a traditional combination from Liguria, the home of pesto. You can also experiment with different types of cheese and add-ins to create new flavors and textures.

Frequently asked questions