If you love fresh veggies with a cheesy twist, you are going to adore this Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe. It’s the perfect way to elevate simple green beans into a crowd-pleasing side dish, combining tender-crisp beans with a luscious garlic-infused olive oil and a gooey blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. This dish brings out the best of green beans by adding a beautiful balance of sharp parmesan, fragrant garlic, and melty mozzarella, transforming your everyday vegetable into a showstopper that even picky eaters will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Whipping up this Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe is super straightforward because the ingredients are simple but pack a huge punch in flavor and texture. Each element plays a vital role—from the fresh green beans providing crispness and color, to the garlic and parmesan building savory depth, and the mozzarella creating that irresistible cheesy topping.
- Fresh green beans: About 1 pound trimmed of ends ensures a tender yet crisp bite.
- Shredded mozzarella (1 and 1/4 cups): Melts beautifully to add gooey cheesiness on top.
- Olive oil (1/4 cup): Combines with garlic and parmesan to infuse flavor and keep beans moist.
- Fresh parmesan (2 tablespoons shredded): Adds a nutty, salty punch that complements the garlic.
- Garlic cloves (4, chopped): Freshly chopped garlic provides fragrant, zesty notes.
- Kosher salt (3/4 teaspoon): Balances flavors and enhances natural sweetness of beans.
- Ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat that rounds out the taste.
How to Make Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). This temperature is perfect to roast the green beans quickly while keeping their crunch, and it also preps for melting that glorious cheese topping without drying out your dish. Don’t forget to spray your baking sheet with nonstick oil so nothing sticks during cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the Green Beans
Lay your trimmed green beans flat across the greased baking sheet. Spread them out with a bit of space between each bean. This little trick lets the hot air circulate freely, ensuring every green bean roasts evenly and gets that slight char that adds delicious flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Garlic Oil
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, shredded parmesan, chopped garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well so that the flavors marry together. This mixture is the heart of your Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe, infusing the beans with savory, garlicky goodness.
Step 4: Coat the Green Beans
Pour the garlic oil mixture over the spread-out green beans. Use gloves or a spatula to toss them gently until every single bean is coated evenly. This ensures each bite bursts with flavor and the cheese topping sticks beautifully later on.
Step 5: Bake Until Crisp-Tender
Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Your green beans should become bright green and maintain a slight crunch—perfect for the texture contrast in the dish.
Step 6: Add the Cheese Topping
Take the beans out and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella all over the top. The cheese layer is what makes this recipe so irresistible, turning simple roasted beans into a decadent treat.
Step 7: Broil to Golden Perfection
Pop the baking sheet back under the broiler for 4 to 5 minutes. Watch closely as the mozzarella melts into gooey pools, browning just enough to give you that amazing golden crust. This finishing touch elevates the dish with a wonderful contrast of textures and rich flavor.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Once golden and bubbly, transfer your Cheesy Garlic Green Beans to a serving plate. It’s best enjoyed hot and fresh, when that cheese is still ooey and gooey and the beans are bursting with flavor. You’ve just made a simple side that’s bound to impress!
How to Serve Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra pop of color and flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or a pinch of red pepper flakes over the top. These garnishes enhance the dish’s vibrant look and add a hint of freshness or subtle heat, perfect for balancing the richness of the cheese.
Side Dishes
This Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked salmon. It’s a fantastic way to add a nutritious veggie side to hearty mains, making your meal balanced and exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve the Cheesy Garlic Green Beans in individual ramekins or on a rustic wooden board accompanied by slices of crusty bread. You could also toss the beans into a warm pasta dish to bring in that lovely garlicky cheese flavor in a new way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe, pack them into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Just note that the cheese topping might lose some of its crispness but will still taste fantastic.
Freezing
While you can freeze cooked green beans, the cheesy topping may separate or become watery after thawing. If you want to freeze the dish, it’s best to store the beans and cheese separately and combine them fresh when reheating to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, place your leftovers on a baking sheet and pop them into a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven until warmed through, about 10 minutes. For best results, finish with a quick broil to revive the melted cheese’s golden topping and bring back that fresh-off-the-oven appeal.
FAQs
Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?
While fresh green beans offer the best texture and flavor, frozen green beans can work in a pinch. Just make sure to thaw and dry them well before roasting to avoid excess moisture making the dish soggy.
What type of cheese works best for this dish?
Mozzarella is perfect for its meltability and mild flavor. Parmesan adds a savory edge in the garlic oil mix, but you can experiment with fontina or Monterey Jack if you want a twist on the classic.
Is this dish suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! Cheesy Garlic Green Beans make a great make-ahead side. Just store the beans and cheese separately if possible, and reheat just before serving to keep the cheese bubbly and fresh.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes! Try adding sliced mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or thinly sliced bell peppers to the mix for extra flavor and variety. Just adjust baking time to ensure everything cooks evenly.
How do I make this recipe vegan?
You can swap the mozzarella and parmesan for your favorite vegan cheese alternatives. Additionally, using nutritional yeast in place of parmesan can add a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe is such a satisfying way to brighten up any meal. It strikes the perfect balance between fresh vegetables and comforting cheese, making it a guaranteed hit around your table. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as eating it, and that it becomes one of your go-to dishes whenever you crave something tasty, easy, and utterly delicious.
Print
Cheesy Garlic Green Beans Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Garlic Green Beans is a delicious and easy side dish featuring fresh green beans roasted to tenderness and topped with a savory blend of garlic-infused olive oil, parmesan, and bubbly melted mozzarella cheese. This flavorful bake combines crisp-tender vegetables with a golden cheesy topping for a perfect balance of texture and taste, ideal for family dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 pound (about 500 g) fresh green beans, ends trimmed off
Cheese & Dairy
- 1 and 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons shredded fresh parmesan cheese
Oils & Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped (or 1 tablespoon pre-minced garlic)
- 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by spraying it with nonstick oil to prevent sticking during roasting.
- Prepare the Green Beans: Spread the trimmed green beans out evenly on the greased baking sheet, ensuring they have space between them for even cooking.
- Prepare the Garlic Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, shredded parmesan, chopped garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
- Coat the Green Beans: Pour the garlic oil mixture evenly over the green beans. Use gloves or a spatula to toss and coat each bean thoroughly with the flavorful oil mixture.
- Bake the Green Beans: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the green beans for about 20 minutes. They should be bright green and still retain a bit of crispness.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the roasted green beans.
- Broil Until Golden: Switch the oven to broil and return the green beans to the oven for 4 to 5 minutes. Broil until the mozzarella melts and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully transfer the cheesy garlic green beans to a serving plate and enjoy while hot and gooey for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, trim the green beans uniformly to ensure even roasting.
- You can substitute mozzarella with cheddar or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, reduce the amount of garlic or roast whole garlic cloves with the beans.
- Make sure to spread the green beans in a single layer to avoid steaming and to get a nice roasted texture.
- The dish is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast between crispy beans and melted cheese.
