Italian Green Beans

Italian green beans is a super simple and easy side dish recipe. Sauteed in butter and parmesan cheese, this healthy recipe pairs perfectly with chicken, pork, beef, or fish and is on the table in just 15 minutes! A great option for last-minute meals on busy weeknights when you don’t feel like cooking.

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Why This Works

• One of the most delicious ways to eat green beans thanks to the fresh garlic, crispy breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese.
• About as quick and simple as it gets for a healthy vegetarian side dish that pairs well with many proteins, pastas, and casseroles.
• Very versatile, many different ingredients can be used to add variety to this recipe so you’ll never get bored.
• A great lazy recipe to make after work on a busy weeknight.

Try my Air Fryer Green Beans!

All about Italian Green Beans

Crispy fresh green beans sauteed in garlic, butter, and Italian herbs and spices, topped with toasted breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. This simple vegetarian side dish is the best way to enjoy green beans as a healthy side dish for your favorite mains. The whole family will be asking for more, a great way to add some nutritious vegetables to your plate in a delicious way.  Green beans are a low fat low calorie food that is packed with vitamin C and fiber.

Italian Green Beans Ingredients

This recipe uses only a few simple and common ingredients you can get at any grocery store to make something delicious.

• Butter
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh or frozen green beans
• Salt

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to add any of your favorite spices, herbs, cheeses, even cured meat to this recipe to add variety. Some great additions to Italian green beans are:

• Crispy fried prosciutto
• Bacon
• Mozzarella cheese
• Basil
• Caramelized onion
• Diced chicken
• Peas
• Feta
• Chopped peppers

Substitutions:

Parmesan cheese Substitution – In place of parmesan cheese try some Grana padano, pecorino, or finely grated mozzarella.

Low Carb Substitution – To make their recipe keto-friendly, omit the breadcrumbs in place of extra parmesan cheese for a healthy low-carb side dish.

Quick Tips for Italian Green Beans

• Using fresh green beans is always preferred for the best flavor and texture, however frozen green beans can be used as well. It is not recommended to use canned green beans as they are quite mushy.
• Do not overcook the green beans. They should be al dente, not mushy. You can tell the green beans are cooked when they are just fork tender but still hold together well.
• Toast the breadcrumbs in the pan with butter until golden brown for extra flavor and texture.

What to Serve with Italian Green Beans

Serve Italian green beans as a healthy vegetarian side dish alongside your favorite proteins like baked chicken, steak, grilled pork, or fish. This recipe also pairs wonderfully with heavier meals like lasagna, or pasta. The bright refreshing flavors will cut through heavy meals and create a perfectly balanced plate.

Leftovers and Reheating

Allow any leftovers too cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container.

Green beans can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheating

Stove – Reheat leftover on stovetop in a skillet over medium heat with some butter until warmed through.

Oven – Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish and sprinkle with fresh cheese. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melted.

Microwave – Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook on HIGH for 1 – 1 ½ minutes until warmed through.

Try my Country Style Green Beans with Red Potatoes!