If you need a simple green bean side dish that everyone actually eats, these Italian Green Beans are it. They’re buttery, lightly seasoned, finished with Parmesan, and easy enough for a random Tuesday night—but still good enough for holidays.
The best part? You can make them with fresh or frozen green beans, depending on what you have on hand. I’ll show you the blanch-and-sauté method for fresh beans (hello bright green color 🌱) and a super easy skillet method for frozen beans.
Why I Make These All the Time
- They’re fast (about 20 minutes total)
- No fancy ingredients
- Work with almost any main dish
- Easy to dress up with garlic or lemon
- Leftovers reheat well (if there are any)
Basically, they’re my go-to when I need something green on the plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple:
- Green beans (fresh or frozen)
- Butter
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- Parmesan cheese
If you want to take them up a notch, garlic, lemon juice, or red pepper flakes are all great additions.
How to Make Italian Green Beans (Fresh)
If you’re using fresh green beans, this is my favorite way to cook them. Blanching first keeps them bright green and crisp-tender, not sad and mushy.
Here’s how it goes:
- Boil a pot of salted water.
- Drop in the green beans and cook for just a few minutes until bright green.
- Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Sauté in butter with Italian seasoning.
- Finish with Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
That quick blanch makes all the difference.
How to Make Italian Green Beans with Frozen Green Beans
Frozen green beans are already blanched, so this version is even easier.
Just:
- Cook the frozen green beans in a skillet with a little water.
- Drain off the extra liquid.
- Add butter and Italian seasoning.
- Season and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Perfect for busy nights when you want a no-stress side dish.
Garlic and Lemon Options (Highly Recommend)
These green beans are great as-is, but here are two easy ways to switch them up:
Garlic Italian Green Beans
Add minced garlic to the melted butter and let it cook for about 30 seconds before adding the beans.
Lemon Italian Green Beans
Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice (or add lemon zest) right before serving for a fresh, bright finish.
Garlic and lemon together? Yes please!
What to Serve with Italian Green Beans
These go with pretty much everything:
- Chicken (baked, grilled, or rotisserie)
- Steak or pork chops
- Pasta
- Meatloaf
- Holiday dinners like turkey or ham
If it needs a veggie side, these work.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in a skillet with a little butter or microwave in short bursts.
- Making ahead? Leave off the Parmesan and add it right before serving.
A Few Quick Tips
- Don’t overcook the green beans—bright green is the goal.
- Dry them well before sautéing so they don’t steam.
- Freshly grated Parmesan tastes way better than the pre-shredded stuff.
- Taste before adding salt since the cheese adds saltiness.
Scroll down to the recipe card below and make these Italian Green Beans tonight. They’re easy, reliable, and one of those side dishes you’ll keep coming back to.
Italian Green Beans
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- large skillet
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs green beans fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chili flakes optional
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 –2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
Fresh Green Beans (Blanched + Sautéed Method)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add fresh green beans and blanch for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
- Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add green beans and Italian seasoning. Sauté for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese and chili flakes, if desired.
Frozen Green Beans (No Blanching Needed)
- Place frozen green beans in a large skillet with 2–3 tablespoons of water.
- Cover and cook over medium heat until heated through and tender, about 6–8 minutes.
- Drain any excess water from the skillet.
- Add butter and Italian seasoning and stir until melted and evenly coated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with Parmesan cheese and chili flakes, if desired.
Variations
Garlic Italian Green Beans
- Add minced garlic to the butter and cook for 30 seconds before adding green beans.
Lemon Italian Green Beans
- Finish with lemon juice or zest just before serving for a bright, fresh flavor.
Garlic Lemon Green Beans
- Use both garlic and lemon for a bold, restaurant-style side.
Notes
- Dry blanched green beans well before sautéing to prevent steaming.
- Frozen green beans are already blanched, so skip the blanching step.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts best and adds more flavor.
Nutrition
Discover more from Meal Street Kitchen
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
No Comments