Family holidays just got a little easier with this lightened up green bean casserole recipe. It’s only 4 Freestyle points per serving on Weight Watchers, and doesn’t taste lightened up at all!
Traditions during the holidays are so important, and none more important than the foods you grew up loving and cooking with family. This lightened up green bean casserole is one of my mom’s family favorite classic recipes that we always have for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
It’s become a staple (along with her sweet potato casserole) through the years. I decided I wanted to lighten this recipe up this year, and I am so happy with the result.
Gathering around the table and merging 2 families is something I am looking forward to this Thanksgiving season. We are hosting Thanksgiving with part of Jeremy’s family as well as my mom and grandmother.
I have never attempted to make a turkey before (eek – so nervous about this), but I have most of the menu figured out already. I wanted to try to lighten up this wonderful family recipe before the “big” day, and it tasted the same to me as the original.
Can I confess something to you? I am incredibly nervous about the holidays. With the parties, fatty foods, desserts (so many desserts), I just don’t know how I will be able to still maintain my weight and still enjoy myself.
Does anyone else get stressed about this over the holidays? I nervous about it, but also excited because if I can get through the holidays and still able to maintain my weight, what a celebration that will be! Seriously, I would be so proud of myself if I can keep this up.
As for traditions, I remember making this with my mom when we would be at my grandmothers house. It’s so wonderful to spend time with your family when you are young and learn to cook.
I didn’t learn to love to cook at a young age, but I was able to spend a lot of time with family (like my mom and grandmother) while in the kitchen.
If you have ever tried a green bean casserole in the past and didn’t like it – TRY THIS ONE INSTEAD. I promise you. This is no gimmick or sales pitch.
I have tried both and there is NO comparison. This lightened up green bean casserole is different because it’s full of cheese, french cut green beans, mushrooms and has water chestnuts in it.
Plus, you make your own roux with this recipe so you don’t have to use store-bought cream of mushroom soup. This will change your life…it’s that good.
To help me with portion control (and you will need it with this recipe), I love the idea of using ramekins. These help me know exactly how much I have eaten of a casserole/recipe.
I picked these up at World Market and they were maybe $2 per ramekin. Cheap and necessary if you are wanting to lose weight or maintain your weight over the holidays.
What type of traditions do you have and love?
Lightened Up Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen french-cut green beans frozen
- 1/4 cup light butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- 3/4 cup whipping cream
- 2 4 1/2 oz jars sliced mushrooms drained
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 8 oz reduced fat cheese grated
- 1 5 oz can sliced water chestnuts
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- In a large non-stick pan, melt the butter and flour together. Add the soy sauce and whipping cream, which continuously stirring to avoid the butter burning.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except the green beans, water chestnuts and almonds. Cook until the cheese melts. Mix in the green beans and the water chestnuts.
- Place in a prepared baking dish. (You can freeze at this point). Sprinkle the almonds on top.
- Bake the casserole for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until it starts bubbling in the middle. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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