Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Begin by preheating the oven to 450ºF and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine all the topping ingredients and spread on prepared cookie sheet. Place in the middle of the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Toss a few times to evenly cook. When browned, remove and allow to cool.

For the beans, in a large pot bring 1 gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil. Add cleaned green beans and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from water and plunge into ice water. This will stop the cooking.

Melt butter over medium heat in a 12-inch skillet. Add mushrooms, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, continue cooking for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mushrooms and allow to brown for 1-2 minutes. Add broth and stir well.

Reduce heat to medium low and pour in half-and-half. Continue cooking over this low heat and stir occasionally. When it thickens (after 5-6 minutes), add 1/4 of the fried onion topping. Top with cracker crumbs and then remaining onions.

Bake at 400ºF for 15 minutes, or until bubbly. Enjoy!