Grandma's Famous Green Beans Au Gratin

• SAUTE
• olive oil↗1 tablespoon
• bacon↗3 slices

  chopped

• Spanish onion↗1

  chopped

• fresh mushrooms↗8 ounces

  chopped

• flat leaf parsley↗2 tablespoons

  minced

• fresh garlic cloves↗2

  minced

• fresh cut green beans2 lbs
• celery salt2 teaspoons
• fresh ground white pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• SAUCE
• salted butter↗1⁄2 cup
• all-purpose flour↗1⁄2 cup
• half-and-half cream↗2 cups
• dry white wine↗1⁄2 cup
• teaspoon mustard powder1
• teaspoon granulated sugar↗1
• teaspoon kosher salt↗1⁄2
• dash cayenne pepper↗1
• (5 ounce) jar sharp cheese spread (KRAFT Old English)↗1
• cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese2
• TOPPING
• cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese1
• tablespoons grated parmesan cheese2
• (2 7/8 ounce) can French's French fried onions↗1

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   WASH and de-string green beans; BLOT dry; SLICE off bean ends; CUT green beans to 2 1/2 inches in length; PREHEAT oven to 350°F; LIGHTLY butter a 2.5 quart dish or 9x13 baking dish; PLACE oven rack in center position; PREP the remaining saute ingredients (snip the bacon using kitchen shears, into small pieces); SHRED 12 ounces (3 cups) sharp cheddar cheese and set aside.

2. 2

   INTO a 3 quart heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil; ADD the chopped bacon, onion, mushrooms, minced parsley, minced garlic, SAUTE until onions have softened and mushrooms deepen in color.

3. 3

   ADD green beens; STIR in celery salt and fresh ground pepper; COVER and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until green beans are crisp-tender and slightly lighter in color.

4. 4

   MELT 1/2 cup butter in a 2-3 quart saucepan over medium heat; STIR in 1/2 cup flour and cook slowly until bubbly but not browned.

5. 5

   COMBINE the half and half with the wine, then add the seasonings and whisk (mustard powder, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper); POUR mixture into roux while whisking constantly; COOK until fully thickened.

6. 6

   REMOVE from heat; STIR in the contents of one jar Kraft Old English sharp cheese spread, and 2 cups of the grated cheese until cheeses are melted and sauce is creamy.

7. 7

   FOLD the green bean saute mixture into cheese sauce until blended, without over-mixing (mixture will be thick); SPREAD mixture into prepared baking dish.

8. 8

   PLACE casserole into preheated 350°F oven; BAKE for 25 minutes.

9. 9

   SPREAD the 1 cup remaining shredded cheddar cheese over top of casserole; TOP casserole evenly with parmesan cheese, then one 2.8 ounce can French's French Fried Onions; BAKE casserole for 2-3 additional minutes just until cheese is melted and onion topping is golden browned (be careful not to burn onion topping!); LET set slightly before serving.

10. 10

    SERVE and enjoy!