Green Bean Casserole

This is a standard for most holiday dinners. It is so easy and does add a nice blend of flavor to a meal.
NEED:

2 (12 ounce) packages frozen French cut green beans
8 ounces mushrooms, quartered
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper -that really is a pinch with the fingers..or season to taste
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (2.8 ounce) can canned French fried onions

Place green beans into a saucepan and fill with about 1/2 inch of water. Bring to a boil and steam until beans are tender but still bright green, about 5 minutes. If you don't like the "crunch" of a cooked green bean then cook about 8 minutes. Drain and toss with the mushrooms. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and parsley; cook and stir until onion is tender. Whisk in flour until blended, then mix in the lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly, so that no lumps form and then stir in sour cream. Warm over medium heat until the sauce begins to bubble. Dump in the green beans and mushrooms, stirring to coat.
Remove from the heat and toss briefly with some of the Cheddar cheese and French fried onions, saving some of each to sprinkle over the top. Spoon into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and top with the reserved onions and cheese.

Oven at 350 degrees. Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Enjoy!