Description
This Green Bean Pie with Ritz Cracker Pie Crust is a savory, creamy vegetable pie that combines fresh green beans, mushrooms, and onions in a rich, flavorful filling. The unique Ritz cracker crust adds a buttery, crispy texture that complements the tender green bean mixture perfectly. Ideal for a delightful side dish or a vegetarian main, this recipe brings comfort and elegance to your table with a relatively simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 12 oz sliced fresh mushrooms (about 3 cups)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1-1/2 lbs fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed, and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 pkg cream cheese (8-oz, cut into cubes)
- 1/2 cup half and half or whole milk
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup French fried onions
Pie Crust
- 11 oz Ritz crackers (about 3 sleeves or 100 crackers)
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Crush the Ritz crackers finely in a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and using a rolling pin. Mix the crushed crackers with 1/2 cup French fried onions and the melted 1/2 cup unsalted butter until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish to form an even crust. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the chopped sweet onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and the sprigs of fresh thyme; cook until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.
- Cook Green Beans and Garlic: Add the rinsed, trimmed, and cut green beans to the skillet along with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Stir well and cook until the beans are tender-crisp, approximately 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Create the Creamy Filling: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the cream cheese cubes and half and half (or whole milk) to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce, coating the vegetables evenly. Add Worcestershire sauce, ground black pepper, kosher salt, and adjust seasoning as desired. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine and Assemble: Stir in 1 cup of French fried onions into the vegetable mixture. Pour this filling evenly into the prepared Ritz cracker crust. Sprinkle the top with additional French fried onions if desired for texture.
- Bake the Pie: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled pie on the middle rack and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This rest time helps the filling to set, making it easier to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute half and half with whole milk for a lighter option, but the filling will be less creamy.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture; frozen can be used but may result in a softer filling.
- To make the crust gluten-free, substitute the Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers of similar texture and flavor.
- French fried onions provide a nice texture contrast but can be omitted for a lower-sodium version.
- This pie can be prepared a day ahead and reheated gently in the oven before serving.
