If you are looking for that classic homemade taste of sweet peas, but with homemade french onions, you will love my Sweet Pea Casserole Recipe! My take on this classic is healthier using organic and fresh ingredients.
Instead of store bought french fried onions or the traditional ritz crackers topping, I will walk you through how to make homemade french fried onions using avocado oil. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser and is one of the best dishes for holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving dinner or family gatherings!
Why I Love this Recipe:
Homemade: This is a great side dish if you want that classic nostalgic taste like your grandmother made but with real ingredients and a delicious fresh taste.
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Ingredients
Sweet Pea Casserole:
- Frozen or canned sweet peas or green peas
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Sour cream
- Butter
- Cloves garlic
- Cheddar cheese or mexican cheese blend
- Salt
- Pepper
French Fried Onions Topping:
- White or yellow onions
- Buttermilk
- Flour
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Avocado oil
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the oven to 375°F. In a 8x8 square baking dish, grease with softened butter or a neutral cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Peel and thinly slice your onions with a sharp knife or mandolin. Place into a large bowl with the buttermilk to marinade and set aside.
Step 4: Add about ½ c of avocado oil to a large saucepan and bring to medium heat.
Step 5: While your oil is heating, melt butter in a small bowl. In a large bowl combine the drained sweet peas, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper.
Step 6: Spoon mixture into the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Top the green pea casserole with the shredded cheese. Bake for 35-40 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
Step 7: While the green pea casserole is baking, combine your flour, 1 ½ teaspoon salt and onion powder into a medium bowl or shallow dish.
Step 8: Remove the onions from the buttermilk and shake off the excess liquid. Dredge the buttermilk soaked onions in the flour mixture until fully covered. Continue this in batches and shake off excess flour before placing in the oil.
Step 9: Fry the onions in the oil until golden brown for 3-5 minutes. Use the rest of the avocado oil for the next batch to finish cooking the onions.
Step 10: You may need to separate the onions with tongs as they cook. If the onions are getting too crispy or not brown enough, adjust your heat as needed throughout the cooking process.
Step 11: When the onions are done, place on a baking sheet or large plate lined with paper towels when done. Finish with ½ - 1 teaspoon of flaky salt to taste.
Step 12: Once your green pea casserole is fully baked, top with the french fried onions and enjoy!
If you are looking for other great sides dishes for the holidays or family gatherings, be sure to try my Tri-Color Carrots or my Baked Fennel!
Substitutions
- French Fried Onions - Instead of making homemade french fried onions, you can get the store-bought kind or use a butter cracker like ritz crackers. I prefer the homemade version with fresh and unprocessed ingredients if you have the time!
Equipment
- 8x8 square baking dish (If you would like to double the recipe, be sure to use a 9x13 baking dish)
- Large saucepan or cast iron skillet
Storage
Store the sweet pea casserole in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Top Tip
When cooking your onions in the oil, be sure that the oil is hot enough before adding your onions. The oil should not be smoking, this means it is too hot. To test your oil, add one onion to test or a wooden spatula to the oil. There should be lots of bubbles surrounding the onion, letting you know the oil is hot enough.
Related
Looking for great dinners to serve with this sweet pea casserole recipe? Try these:
Pairing
Here are some great dessert recipes to complete your meal:
Sweet Pea Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Sweet Pea Casserole:
- 1 lb frozen or canned sweet peas thawed and drained
- 1 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup I use the Organic Pacific Foods brand
- ½ c sour cream
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 c cheddar cheese or mexican cheese blend
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
French Fried Onions Topping:
- 1 medium white or yellow onion
- 1 c buttermilk
- 2 c flour
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ - 1 c avocado oil
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F. In a 8x8 square baking dish, grease with softened butter or a neutral cooking spray and set aside.
- Peel and thinly slice your onions with a sharp knife or mandolin. Place into a large bowl with the buttermilk to marinade and set aside.
- Add about ½ c of avocado oil to a large saucepan and bring to medium heat.
- While your oil is heating, melt butter in a small bowl. In a large bowl combine the drained sweet peas, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, minced garlic cloves, salt and pepper.
- Spoon mixture into the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Top the green pea casserole with the shredded cheese. Bake for 35-40 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
- While the green pea casserole is baking, combine your flour, 1 ½ teaspoon salt and onion powder into a medium bowl or shallow dish.
- Remove the onions from the buttermilk and shake off the excess liquid. Dredge the buttermilk soaked onions in the flour mixture until fully covered. Continue this in batches and shake off excess flour before placing in the oil.
- Fry the onions in the oil until golden brown for 3-5 minutes. Use the rest of the avocado oil for the next batch to finish cooking the onions.
- You may need to separate the onions with tongs as they cook. If the onions are getting too crispy or not brown enough, adjust your heat as needed throughout the cooking process.
- When the onions are done, place on a baking sheet or large plate lined with paper towels when done. Finish with ½ - 1 teaspoon of flaky salt to taste.
- Once your green pea casserole is fully baked, top with the french fried onions and enjoy!
Julia says
Had to stop myself from eating the entire pan…. SO good and easy and added to my Easter menu from now on!
Take the time to fry the onions - makes it extra special!
Amazing taste and easy to make!
Lauren Williford says
So glad you loved it!