plate of a green bean recipe, full of butternut squash, nuts, bacon and onions

A healthy man’s green bean casserole

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, mushroom free and delicious. I created this because I myself was on the hunt for a healthy green bean recipe. All were a bit boring. Then I was looking for a healthy green bean casserole recipe and it literally didn’t exist until now. This green bean recipe has a complex of flavors and textures. It is an actual joy to eat it.

The Thanksgiving Series + Table Info

Welcome back or to the Table. I call it “The Table” because it’s Brit’s Table and I’m Brit and my community of beautiful positive, souls are the “Table”. It’s this community. Any how, this series has been so fun to start and bring to life. This being my second ever series. I am curating, creating and working so hard on this positive community, recipes and decor (tbd). Bringing “Brit’s Table” to life is such a joy and it is all thanks to you for being here. So, thank you.

I am excited to share this recipe with you, it is a new favorite of mine. Just one more in this Thanksgiving Series and then we move on to…. My bread series. Especially excited about that!!

I also want to be upfront about my links and where you can find me (more below).

I am now an Amazon affiliate so want to disclose that I do have links to products I use in case you guys are curious! Now here’s the part where I drop all my links to my socials for you. Appreciate you!

The first stop is always IG. IG is my stomping grounds, I am there most often to talk on my stories and respond to DMs and comments. So, if you ever want to get in touch with me, my DMs are a great place to go!

Pinterest is the best place to save these recipes. You can put them in a folder and keep it all organized!

The final spot, where big things are happening… YouTube. I am starting long form content on there and will be doing tutorials on cooking. Super excited about this and would love to see you over there.

What inspired me to make the all mighty bean recipe?

I mentioned already above but I wanted to make a healthy Thanksgiving recipe and I was looking for inspo and then literally could not find anything that inspired me. I had to really think about what I wanted to put out there.

I wanted it to be gluten free and dairy free. Because in the end of it these things can cause a lot of inflammation for most people, so, when I am creating a healthy recipe, I want those to be out.
When I think “healthy recipe”, I lean into healthy fats and a diversity of flavors while also remembering texture. Texture is a big thing.

Pairing with beans. The first thought was the caramelized onions on top. The second thought was the butternut squash. After that it all just fell into one place. I roasted the nuts myself because nuts from the store that have been roasted can often have seed oil on them. I avoid seed oil to the best of my ability.

So, that’s the inspiration here! I am so happy to share this and hope this nourishes you and your family!

Green beans and butternut squash on a baking pan

What you may need:

A good parchment paper – This is the one I use, it is clean and a really good deal. It is made from natural 100% wood pulp and totally fluorescent free and unbleached.
Large cooking pan – I got mine form Target, it’s just a normal one.
Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil <- 15% off link – Honestly, in the kitchen it’s just a must. A lot of cheaper olive oils you find in store can be cut with other oils, so if you have the ability and the capital, it should be at the top of your list of things to not skimp on!
I linked the olive oil I use and recommend, it’s Greek, cold pressed and harvested young for potency and flavor.
Garlic Crusher – To make your life easier. I got mine off Ebay, it’s an old fashioned one that my grandmother used.
Tongs – If you don’t have some already, you need to get some. I don’t know how I ever cooked without tongs.

Health Benefit Highlight

Not only do I love to share my recipes but to me knowledge is power. I want to share the knowledge I have because I hope it inspires you to think of fueling your body with healthy foods.
So, I will highlight 2 ingredients and talk about some of the health benefits.

Green Beans:

They are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and manganese. Green beans are also a great source of fiber, which supports digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, they contain antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids, which combat inflammation and reduce oxidative stress.

Butternut squash:

Also rich in vitamins A and C, which are essential for immune support, skin health, and vision. Its high fiber content aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. Butternut squash is also packed with antioxidants like beta-carotene, which reduces inflammation and supports heart health. Plus, it’s a good source of potassium and magnesium, promoting healthy blood pressure and muscle function. Woot Woot.

The Recipe:

A sheet pan of butternut squash in cubes and beans that are green

Ingredients:

The Beans and Butternut Squash Bake

2lb Haricot Green Beans
1 Medium Butternut Squash – Cubed [If you are in the US, it is usually cheaper at Trader Joe’s]
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 Cloves of Garlic – Minced [ 3 cloves if you’re not into garlic..]
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
1/2 Tbsp Dried Basil
1/4 Cup Cilantro – Stemmed and chopped
S+P

Caramelized Onion

2 Medium Yellow Onions – Sliced thin and long
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Toppings:

4 Slices of Bacon – Chopped into strips and cooked
Fresh Cilantro – Chopped
Walnuts – A handful – Baked
Sunflower Seeds – A handful – Baked

Method:

a pot of boiling water and green beans inside boiling

boiled green beans in a strainer in the sink

First we are going to cut the stems off the end of our beans and boil them until they start to get a little soft, 3-5 minutes. *It’s important that you don’t over boil them, you don’t want them to be mush.

butternut squash on a cutting board that has been cut in half

butternut squash that is being cut up into cubes

Now, pre-heat the oven to 425F/218C.
Next, we are going to prepare the squash. Cut the squash in half long ways and scoop all the seeds out. Then you are going to take the skin off. Once the skin has been taken off, it’s time to cube your squash into small squares [as pictured above].

a baking tray of squashing with olive oil being poured on it

butternut squash on a baking tray tossed in olive oil

Now you will douse 2 Tbsp of your fav Evoo on top. Give it a good toss and then place in the oven for 20 minutes. Toss them halfway through. At the 20-minute mark they should be starting to get soft. Perfect, now take them out.

butternut squash and green beans on a baking tray

a layer of minced garlic on top of beans and butternut squash

Take your green beans and give them a rough large chop on the cutting board. Then put them onto your baking tray of squash.
Now you will mince the 6 cloves of garlic right over the top of the beans and squash, along with the garlic powder, onion powder, basil, salt and pepper.
Toss it well so all the vegetables are covered evenly.

a cutting board with a bushel of cilantro ready to be chopped

chopped cilantro over a bed of beans and squash ready to go in the oven

Now for the final touch before baking, you are going to chop your stemmed cilantro roughly. Add it to your sheet pan and mix well.
Place your tray into the oven for 20 minutes, toss and then bake for another 20 minutes.

cooked squash and beans on a sheet pan that have been baked

When they are finished, they should be soft, and the butternut squash should be golden on the edges when they are done. Do the taste and mouth feel test if you’re unsure.

The Bacon

cut up uncooked bacon on a cutting board

uncooked bacon in a cooking pan on the stove

While the rest is cooking, you can get started on the bacon. Take your 4 strips and cut them into 1/2-inch pieces, then you are going to fry them. Once cooked (and not over cooked) it’s time to let them cook on paper towels and allow the green to run off.

The Onions

yellow onions, cut in half with the skin taken off

The onions. You are going to remove all the skin and cut the onions in half long ways and then slice them thin [as pictured above].

thinly slice onions in a small sauce pan

a sauce pan with caramelized onions inside

Now you will put your thinly sliced onions in a small saucepan (or whatever pan you have that can caramelize onions). The pan I use. – Stainless steel, Cuisinart, simple, affordable.
Add 2ish Tbsp of olive oil, you may need a little more. Place the sauce pan over medium/low heat and start caramelizing your onions. Stir often. When they are done the should look like the photo above.

Put it all together

a small blue bowl with cooked bacon inside

a baking tray with green beans, butternut squash and bacon bits

When the vegetables are done it is time to add our cooked bacon to the plate.

a China serving plate with vegetables layer inside

a beautiful serving plate with a pile of vegetables with caramelized onions ontop

Now you will add the cooked vegetables and bacon to your serving tray.
Top the mix with your caramelized onions.

a hand holding baked walnuts over a tray of food

a serving plate with bakes beans and squash topped with baked walnuts

Now you will add your baked walnut pieces and sunflower seeds (how to bake your walnuts and sunflower seeds below). Add your fresh chopped cilantro.

a plate of roasted vegetables top with baked nuts and herbs

You are FINISHED. Literally love love love this dish. I sat there and ate a quarter of this huge plate after I finished filming this. It is so flavorful and just straight YUM.

a spoon scooping up healthy green bean casserole

Baked/Roasted Nuts

A little how to bake your favorite nuts. Preheat the oven to 350F/177C. On a parchment lined pan spread your nuts of choice. For this recipe I chose walnuts and sunflower. Bake for 5-8 minutes, tossing them once halfway through. They should be fragrant and slightly brown. Remove from the oven and allow the nuts to cool on the pan. Once they are cool add them to your fav dishes!
Be advised cooking times can very depending on your oven! <3

Other Recipes You Will Love:

Pear Tart Recipe – 10/10 Dessert. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other Holiday! 🙂
Gratin Dauphinois – French scallop potatoes, need I say more?
Whole Baked Chicken – Again another great recipe for he holidays or just a healthy dinner!
Harvest Salad – This recipe is full of flavor and not to mention the dressing is amazing.
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup – One of my all time favorite soups. Perfect with a fresh slice of sourdough.

Comments/Questions?

I love hearing from each and every one of you. So, please feel free to comment below how this worked out for you, if you have a question, or if you just want to say hi! Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram and tag me so I can see your delicious recipes! Thank you so much for being here! I appreciate you all and your support!