Name: Creamy Garlic Green Beans
Ingredients: Fresh Green Beans: 1 pound, trimmed. Fresh green beans are key for the best texture and flavor in this recipe. Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes.; Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted. Butter adds richness and helps to create the creamy base of the sauce. You can use salted butter, but adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.; Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent and aromatic flavor that is essential to this dish. Don’t skimp on the garlic!; All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons. Flour acts as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce, ensuring it coats the green beans perfectly.; Milk: 1 cup. Whole milk will create the richest and creamiest sauce, but you can also use 2% milk for a slightly lighter version. For a dairy-free option, see tips below.; Chicken Broth (or Vegetable Broth): 1/2 cup. Broth adds depth of flavor and thins the sauce to the perfect consistency. Vegetable broth works equally well for a vegetarian version.; Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup. Heavy cream is what truly elevates the creaminess of the sauce, making it decadent and luxurious. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.; Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, plus extra for garnish. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty, and savory element to the sauce, complementing the garlic and creaminess. Freshly grated is always best for flavor and melting.; Salt: To taste. Salt enhances all the flavors in the dish and is crucial for seasoning the green beans and sauce.; Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor.; Optional: Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch, for a hint of heat. Red pepper flakes are optional, but they add a lovely subtle warmth that balances the richness of the cream and garlic.; Optional: Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness as a garnish.

Ingredients

Fresh Green Beans: 1 pound, trimmed. Fresh green beans are key for the best texture and flavor in this recipe. Look for firm, bright green beans without blemishes.
Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted. Butter adds richness and helps to create the creamy base of the sauce. You can use salted butter, but adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.
Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent and aromatic flavor that is essential to this dish. Don’t skimp on the garlic!
All-Purpose Flour: 2 tablespoons. Flour acts as a thickening agent for the creamy sauce, ensuring it coats the green beans perfectly.
Milk: 1 cup. Whole milk will create the richest and creamiest sauce, but you can also use 2% milk for a slightly lighter version. For a dairy-free option, see tips below.
Chicken Broth (or Vegetable Broth): 1/2 cup. Broth adds depth of flavor and thins the sauce to the perfect consistency. Vegetable broth works equally well for a vegetarian version.
Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup. Heavy cream is what truly elevates the creaminess of the sauce, making it decadent and luxurious. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, plus extra for garnish. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty, and savory element to the sauce, complementing the garlic and creaminess. Freshly grated is always best for flavor and melting.
Salt: To taste. Salt enhances all the flavors in the dish and is crucial for seasoning the green beans and sauce.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground, to taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor.
Optional: Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch, for a hint of heat. Red pepper flakes are optional, but they add a lovely subtle warmth that balances the richness of the cream and garlic.
Optional: Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness as a garnish.

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Instructions

Prepare the Green Beans: Begin by thoroughly washing the fresh green beans under cold running water. Trim the ends of the green beans using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. You can leave them whole, halve them, or cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference. Uniformly sized pieces will cook more evenly.
Blanch the Green Beans (Optional but Recommended): While optional, blanching the green beans briefly enhances their color and ensures they are tender-crisp. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes, until they turn bright green but are still crisp-tender. Immediately transfer the blanched green beans to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crispness. Drain the green beans thoroughly and set aside. If you skip blanching, you will need to cook the green beans longer in the pan in step 4.
Sauté the Garlic in Butter: In a large skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic will taste bitter. Reducing the heat slightly if needed to prevent burning is recommended. The aroma of sautéing garlic is a wonderful indication that you’re on the right track!
Create the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed garlic and butter in the skillet. Whisk continuously for about 1 minute to cook the flour and create a roux. Cooking the flour removes the raw flour taste and helps to thicken the sauce smoothly. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly. Next, pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken further.
Add Cream and Parmesan: Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined. The Parmesan cheese not only adds flavor but also helps to thicken the sauce slightly more. If you are using red pepper flakes, add them now for a touch of heat.
Combine Green Beans and Sauce: Add the blanched (or unblanched) green beans to the creamy garlic sauce in the skillet. Gently toss to coat the green beans evenly with the sauce. If you did not blanch the green beans, you might need to cook them in the sauce for 5-7 minutes or until they reach your desired tenderness, stirring occasionally. If you blanched them, cook for just 2-3 minutes to heat them through and allow them to absorb some of the sauce flavor. Be careful not to overcook the green beans, as you want them to retain some crispness.
Season and Serve: Season the creamy garlic green beans with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with a small amount of salt and pepper and adjust as needed, tasting as you go. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately while hot and creamy. These green beans are best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 220
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 7g