These Cheesy Garlic Green Beans are a game-changer when it comes to making veggies exciting! With buttery garlic sauce, melted cheddar, and parmesan cheese, this simple side dish transforms ordinary green beans into a flavorful, cheesy delight. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re perfect for any weeknight dinner or holiday feast. Even picky eaters will fall in love with these tender, garlicky green beans smothered in cheesy goodness.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
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2 tbsp butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
Directions
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Cook the green beans: Steam or boil the green beans until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain them well to prevent sogginess.
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Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
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Combine the beans and garlic butter: Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss them well to coat in the garlic butter.
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Add the cheese: Sprinkle the cheddar and parmesan cheese over the green beans and stir until the cheese melts and coats the beans.
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Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.
Nutrients
(Per serving – approximate values)
Why These Cheesy Garlic Green Beans are So Delicious
What makes these green beans so amazing is the balance of flavors and textures. The buttery garlic sauce infuses the beans with richness, while the cheddar and parmesan cheese bring an irresistible savory, creamy layer that transforms an ordinary vegetable into something extraordinary.
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Garlic and Butter: The garlic adds a savory, aromatic depth, while the butter brings richness that coats the green beans, enhancing their natural flavor. The garlic sautéed in butter creates a fragrance that fills the kitchen and adds a delicious base for the rest of the dish.
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Cheddar and Parmesan: The cheddar gives the dish its gooey, melty texture, while the parmesan adds a salty, umami kick that elevates the entire dish. Together, they coat the green beans perfectly, adding flavor in every bite.
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Tender, Crisp Green Beans: Cooking the green beans until they’re tender-crisp ensures that they retain a bit of texture, offering a satisfying contrast to the creamy cheese and buttery sauce.
The Key Ingredients
This dish is made with just a handful of ingredients, but each one plays an essential role in bringing the flavors together:
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Green Beans: The fresh green beans are the base of this dish, providing a crisp, fresh bite. They’re full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great choice for a healthy side dish.
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Butter and Garlic: The butter melts into the beans, creating a rich, flavorful base for the garlic to infuse. The minced garlic adds an aromatic and savory depth that complements the other flavors.
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Cheddar Cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese provides a creamy, melty texture and a mild, tangy flavor that makes the green beans irresistible.
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Parmesan Cheese: The grated parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty element to the dish, helping to round out the flavor profile.
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Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch of salt and black pepper is enough to enhance the natural flavors of the green beans and balance the richness of the cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cheesy Garlic Green Beans
Making these Cheesy Garlic Green Beans is quick and easy. Here’s how to put it all together:
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Cook the Green Beans:
Start by steaming or boiling the green beans until they’re tender-crisp. This should take about 5 minutes. Be sure to drain them well to prevent excess water from making the dish soggy.
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Sauté the Garlic:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. The garlic should infuse the butter, creating a fragrant base for the green beans.
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Combine the Beans and Garlic Butter:
Add the drained green beans to the skillet and toss them well to coat in the garlic butter. Stir them gently so that the beans absorb all the flavorful butter and garlic.
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Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese over the green beans. Stir until the cheese melts and coats the beans in a creamy, cheesy layer. The heat from the beans will melt the cheese beautifully, creating a luscious texture.
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Season and Serve:
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give the beans a final toss to mix everything together, then serve immediately. These cheesy, garlicky green beans are best enjoyed fresh and warm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and Easy: In just 20 minutes, you can have a delicious, cheesy side dish ready to go. No complicated steps or long cooking times—just simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
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Rich and Flavorful: The garlic butter sauce and cheese add richness and depth to the green beans, making them a standout side dish. Even people who aren’t huge fans of green beans will love this cheesy version.
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Customizable: You can easily adjust the amount of cheese to suit your preferences or swap in different cheeses, like mozzarella or gouda, for a unique flavor twist.
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Healthy and Comforting: Green beans are a healthy vegetable full of nutrients, and by adding cheese and garlic butter, they become an indulgent yet relatively guilt-free treat.
Serving Suggestions
These Cheesy Garlic Green Beans are versatile and can be paired with a variety of main dishes. Here are a few ideas:
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Roast Chicken: Pair these beans with roast chicken or grilled chicken for a well-rounded, comforting meal.
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Steak: They also make an excellent side for steak, especially a grilled or pan-seared cut like ribeye or sirloin.
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Pasta: Serve these green beans alongside your favorite pasta dish for a delicious and complete meal.
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Fish: The fresh, vibrant flavor of green beans pairs beautifully with lighter proteins like grilled fish or salmon.
Why These Cheesy Garlic Green Beans are a Must-Make
Cheesy Garlic Green Beans combine the richness of garlic butter with the creamy meltiness of cheese to create a side dish that is both flavorful and satisfying. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, impressive vegetable dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it as a side for a weeknight dinner or bringing it to a holiday gathering, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your home.
With the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, garlicky goodness, Cheesy Garlic Green Beans are sure to steal the show at any meal. So, grab those green beans, melt that butter, and get ready for a side dish that everyone will love!