Ultimate Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

• 3 (9 ounce) packages frozen French style green beans

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine

• 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (somewhere between a 1/4 to 1/3c, however much onion flavor you like)
• 1 tablespoon flour

• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt (you can also use fresh garlic to taste and add to the onions)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 (2 1/2 ounce) package slivered almonds
• paprika

Directions

1. 1

   Cook green beans according to package directions; drain.

2. 2

   Melt margarine in a Dutch oven over medium to medium low heat; add onion and cook until translucent.

3. 3

   Add flour and stir to coat.

4. 4

   Add soup and cream cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until cream cheese is melted, add Cheddar cheese and stir until mixture is smooth and everything is melted.

5. 5

   Remove from heat; stir in green beans, water chestnuts, garlic salt, and pepper.

6. 6

   Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 2 quart casserole.

7. 7

   Top with almonds; sprinkle with paprika.

8. 8

   Bake, uncovered, at 375 deg. for 45 minutes.

9. 9

   *Remember when melting cheeses it is always better to do it low and slow then fast and hot! You want this smooth and creamy not curdled and lumpy!*.