Green Beans & Bacon Casserole

This keto Green Beans & Bacon Casserole is worth trying side/main meal. This casserole gives you the creamy, savory, & cheesy notes all in one, along with keeping the carbs low. It features nutrient-packed green beans, bacon slices, shredded cheeses(cheddar & Parmesan, cream cheese, cream(heavy), aromatics like onion and garlic, & seasonings. All these items provide you with a delicious & hearty flavor that perfectly aligns with the keto guidelines. Moreover, you can refrigerate this keto Green Beans & Bacon Casserole in a ready-to-bake state for ~twenty-four hours. In order for you to serve it freshly baked.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

NUMERICAL OVERVIEW:

• Diet: Ketogenic
• Course: Main/side
• Cuisine: American comfort food
• Fifteen mins for preparation
• Twenty-five mins for cooking
• Working time will be forty minutes in total
• Quantity/person: One cup
• Total servings: Six(6)
• Mode of cooking: Oven(bake) + stove
• Level of difficulty: Easy to normal

TOOLS:

• Baking dish 8 by 8 or 9 by 9 inches
• Saute pan/skillet(big)
• Board & knife for cutting
• A spatula/mixing spoon
• Saucepan(normal in size)
• A slotted spoon
• Whisk

INGREDIENTS:

• 450 grams of green beans
• Parmesan cheese, one-fourth cup
• 6 slices of bacon
• Xanthan gum, half a tsp
• 1 tbsp. of butter/oil(coconut)
• Powdered garlic, half a tsp.
• 1/2 yellow onion
• Powdered onion, half a teaspoon.
• 2 garlic cloves
• Nutmeg, one-fourth tsp.
• 3/4th cup of whipping cream(heavy)
• To taste of salt & powdered black pepper
• 1/2 a cup of cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese, half a cup
• Flour of almond/crushed pork rinds

INGREDIENT NOTES:

HEAVY CREAM:

• It is the key item to have a creamy casserole. You may go for the unsweetened version of coconut cream in its place.

XANTHAN GUM:

• Addition of a little xanthan gum can thicken the sauce without reducing its quantity. This thickener does not increase the carbs as the corn starch does.

GREEN BEANS:

• You will require a pound of green beans. Trim their upper & lower end & cut them in half. Always prefer the fresh version, but you can go for the frozen one. It will be best to avoid the canned green beans as they will make your casserole mushy.

CHEESE:

• Use the freshly grated version of Parmesan & cheddar cheese to keep the carbs lower & add sharp & salty notes. You can replace this combo with mozzarella & gruyere cheese as well.

BACON:

• You will need to chop the cooked slices of bacon for use. It will add the umami flavor & fats. You can opt for the Turkey Bacon as well.

CREAM CHEESE:

• Before using, always bring the cream cheese to a normal temperature(of the surroundings). It enhances the richness & thickens the sauce with the addition of fats(healthy). You may use vegan cream cheese for the dairy-intolerant people.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Warm up the oven(empty) at 190 °C & get to work.
2. Fill the pot with water(salted) & place it on full flame till it starts boiling.
3. Then include the washed green beans in it & lower the flame to normal.
4. Cook them till they are just tender with a bright green color.
5. After ~five mins, move them to the icy water to pause additional cooking.
6. Then drain the beans & keep them aside.
7. Place a big skillet over a normal flame.
8. Place the slices of bacon in that skillet.
9. Flip them & cook till they become crispy.
10. Use the slotted spoon to remove the bacon slices & keep them on the paper towel.
11. Keep a tablespoon of bacon grease separately to use it later.
12. Add coconut oil/butter to that same pan.
13. Include the diced onions & cook until soft(~four mins).
14. Then, add garlic & cook till it becomes fragrant.
15. Then, add the other items like: onion & garlic powder, cream cheese, xanthan gum, heavy cream, & nutmeg.
16. Mix well & cook on low flame while stirring constantly till you achieve your required thickness.
17. After ~five minutes, include cheddar & Parmesan cheese.
18. Mix & cook till the cheese melts.
19. Include & mix the salt & pepper to season it.
20. Grab a mixing bowl & include green beans, most of the crisped bacon, & cheese sauce.
21. Mix all of them well & pour it into the baking dish/casserole dish(oiled).
22. Use a spoon/spatula to level the top surface.
23. At the end, sprinkle the crushed pork rinds/flour of almond along with some crisped bacon.
24. Now, shift the ready-to-bake dish to the oven.
25. Bake till you see the melted bubbly & golden cheese on the top.
26. It will take ~twenty minutes, then take the casserole(baked) out of the oven.
27. Serve this yummy keto Green Beans & Bacon Casserole upon slight cooling.

TIPS:

• Half-boiling the green beans will prevent them from becoming mushy/soft. They will be tender while being crispy.
• If you want to saute & bake in a single pan, then use the cast-iron skillet.
• Add a source of protein like chicken(cooked)/mushrooms to convert it into a satisfying meal.
• Always choose to add the freshly melted cheese. This will give you a nice melt, along with keeping the carbs low.

HOW TO PRESERVE(LEFTOVER):

CHILLING:

• Save the casserole(leftover) in a box with a lid(air-tight). Refrigerate it for ~four days & consume it within the given time after rewarming using the microwave/oven at 300°F.

FREEZING:

• Cover the baked & cooled casserole using the cling wrap or pack the individual portions in the foil/individual boxes(freezer-safe). This way, you can keep them frozen for ~two months. Defrost a night earlier in the fridge & rewarm by covering it in the oven.

FAQs:

Is there any replacement for the thickener?

• Its use is not compulsory in this recipe. You may skip it or use a tiny bit of powdered glucomannan. If you want to skip the use of a thickener, then cook it for longer to reduce the sauce, and it will thicken itself.

Will the canned green beans work here?

• Yes, you may go for the canned one, but they may be extra soft & will make your casserole mushy. We advise you to prefer fresh/frozen green beans.

Is it feasible to make the casserole ahead of time?

• Yes, assemble the casserole, cover it using foil or cling wrap & refrigerate it for the next twenty-four hours. Bake it fresh & serve without the preparation hassle at that time.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

NUTRITIONAL FACTS/SERVING:

Size/serve: One cup
Calories: ~310 kcal
Carbs in total: Seven grams
Fiber: 3 g
Net carbohydrates: Four grams
Fats: 27 g
Sugar: Two grams
Proteins: 10 g
Sodium: 470 miligrams