Easy Garlic Parmesan Green Beans: A Quick & Healthy Side Dish for Any Meal

Transform your weekly side dish routine with these irresistible Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans. This quick 10-minute recipe is a fantastic, flavorful addition to your weeknight dinners and impressive enough for any holiday gathering. Loved by both adults and children alike, it’s a true crowd-pleaser that makes eating vegetables a joy!

As a home cook, I strive to include a vegetable side dish with every lunch and dinner I serve. These can range from a simple plate of cut-up peppers and carrots to more elaborate cooked vegetables. Growing up, a vegetable was always a staple at our family meals, and it’s a tradition I passionately continue for my own family. However, I must confess, sometimes the routine of serving the same old steamed vegetables can become a bit monotonous, not just for me, but especially for my toddler.

To keep mealtime exciting and encourage my children to enthusiastically embrace their greens, I make a conscious effort to introduce variety each week. Among our rotating favorites, these Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans stand out as my son Will’s absolute top choice. Watching him devour them and then eagerly ask for “seconds and thirds” while declaring his love for garlic is incredibly heartwarming. It truly brings me joy to see him enjoy vegetables in such delicious and creative ways.

Making Vegetables Exciting for Picky Eaters

It’s no secret that feeding a toddler can sometimes feel like navigating a culinary minefield. My son, Will, has certainly had his moments as one of those famously picky eaters. However, if there’s one area where he truly shines with adventurous eating, it’s fruits and vegetables. This insight has become my secret weapon: I use his love for produce as a starting point for introducing new flavors, experimenting with different spices, and exploring diverse cooking methods. It’s a wonderful way to expand his palate without triggering the dreaded “no thank you” face.

The Perfect Flavor Combination: Garlic, Parmesan, and Fresh Green Beans

These Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are a delightful celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors. The recipe begins with perfectly steamed green beans, cooked just until they are tender-crisp and boast a bright green hue. This initial steaming ensures they retain their natural texture and nutrients. What truly elevates this dish, however, is the quick sauté in a rich mixture of butter, aromatic garlic, and finely chopped sweet onion. The garlic and onion infuse the butter with an incredible depth of flavor that clings beautifully to each bean.

I personally love a robust garlic flavor, so my recipe calls for three generous cloves. However, if your family prefers a milder garlic presence, feel free to adjust to one or two cloves – the dish will still be incredibly delicious. Once sautéed to perfection, the green beans are finished with a generous dusting of savory Parmesan cheese, adding a salty, umami kick that perfectly complements the garlic and butter. The combination is simply divine.

A Versatile Side for Weeknights and Special Occasions

This recipe isn’t just a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you need a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish. It also shines as an effortlessly impressive accompaniment for holiday dinners, dinner parties, or any special occasion where you want to serve something a little extra without spending hours in the kitchen. Its elegant presentation and irresistible flavor are sure to garner compliments from your guests (just remember to have some breath mints handy if you’re heavy on the garlic!).

Beyond its delicious taste, green beans themselves are packed with nutritional benefits. They are a great source of vitamins K, C, and A, as well as fiber and folate, making this dish not just tasty but also wonderfully healthy. Opting for fresh green beans ensures maximum flavor and a crisp texture that canned or frozen varieties often lack.

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Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

By

Julia Jolliff

Prep:

5
minutes

mins

Cook:

10
minutes

mins

Total:

15
minutes

mins

Servings:

4
servings

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Mix up the weekly side dish routine with these Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans. This 10 minute side dish is a great addition to your weekly dinners or a holiday meal.

Ingredients

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  lb.
  green beans,
  washed and ends trimmed (fresh is best for crispness!)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  Tablespoons
  unsalted butter

• 
  ▢
  
  
  3
  garlic ,
  cloves, minced (adjust to your garlic preference)

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1/4
  cup
  sweet onion,
  finely chopped

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  Tablespoon
  Parmesan cheese,
  freshly grated for best flavor

• 
  ▢
  
  
  Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then place a steamer insert over it. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the trimmed green beans to the steamer. Steam the green beans until they are crisp-tender and a vibrant, bright green color. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. I recommend testing one to ensure it reaches your preferred texture.
2. While the green beans are steaming, melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped sweet onion to the skillet along with a dash of salt and pepper. Sauté this mixture for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and the onion is softened and translucent. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, carefully drain them. Add the steamed green beans directly to the large skillet with the sautéed garlic and onions. Toss the green beans in the buttery mixture over medium heat for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all the beans are thoroughly coated with the delicious garlic and onion flavor. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Generously sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the green beans, tossing gently to distribute. The residual heat will slightly melt the cheese, creating a wonderful coating.
5. Serve these delightful Garlic Parmesan Green Beans warm and enjoy immediately!

Nutrition

Calories:
102
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
10
g

,

Protein:
3
g

,

Fat:
7
g

,

Saturated Fat:
4
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.4
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.2
g

,

Cholesterol:
17
mg

,

Sodium:
48
mg

,

Potassium:
267
mg

,

Fiber:
3
g

,

Sugar:
4
g

,

Vitamin A:
977
IU

,

Vitamin C:
15
mg

,

Calcium:
80
mg

,

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?
Mention @acedarspoon or tag #acedarspoon!

Making a delicious and nutritious side dish doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. These Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans offer the perfect solution: fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you’re aiming to please a picky eater or simply want to elevate your meal, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. The vibrant green beans, fragrant garlic, savory onion, and salty Parmesan come together in a symphony of tastes and textures that will make vegetables the star of your plate. Give it a try, and watch as these green beans become a new family favorite!

Are you ready for more quick and delicious side dish ideas?

Curry Roasted Cauliflower

Honey Glazed Carrots

Lemon Parmesan Broccoli

For even more fantastic side dish ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out my dedicated On the Side Pinterest board. It’s packed with recipes to complement any meal!

I would love to connect with you and share more culinary adventures on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram. Let’s keep cooking and sharing delicious food together!

Enjoy!

Julia