Go Back
–+ servings
Italian green beans
Print

Italian Green Beans

These Italian Green Beans are blanched for a bright green color, then sautéed in butter with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Includes easy instructions for both fresh and frozen green beans, making this a versatile side dish for any night of the week.
Course Side Dish, vegetable
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Keyword fresh or frozen green beans, green bean side dish, Italian green beans, Parmesan green beans,, sautéed green beans
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 106kcal

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

    Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg