Cheesy Roasted Low Carb Green Beans Recipe

My low carb green beans recipe turns fresh green beans into a cheesy roasted side with caramelized edges and melted Parmesan and white cheese.

I've found that roasting green beans at high heat gives them much better flavor and texture than boiling, and adding the cheese at the end keeps it melted and lightly browned instead of overcooked.

I love to make this low carb and keto-friendly side dish for weeknight dinners or holiday meals when you want something healthy yet simple too. They only have 4 net carbs per serving!

My husband is obsessed with green beans and we eat them almost weekly. You can wrap them with bacon, cook them from frozen, make them into a holiday green bean casserole, or roast them with sausages.

Things to Know About These Low Carb Green Beans

• Roast the green beans at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, then add the cheese and broil for another 2-3 minutes.
• Roasting gives the beans lightly caramelized edges while keeping some texture in the center.
• You'll want to serve the beans immediately while the cheese stays melty and soft.
• Fresh green beans give the best roasted texture, but frozen green beans can also be used.
• The recipe takes about 25 minutes total and makes 6 side-dish servings.

Ingredients You'll Need

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

• Green beans: Fresh trimmed green beans give you the best roasted texture. I like to keep them whole so they brown on the outside without becoming too soft.
• Olive oil: You can use any flavor of neutral oil like avocado oil or vegetable oil.
• Parmesan cheese: Shredded is preferred and melts better
• Shredded white cheese: Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or Gruyere all melt well here. I like Gruyere or Swiss when I'm serving these for a holiday meal and mozzarella or Monterey Jack for an everyday side.
• Dried herbs: Optional, but Italian seasoning, Herbs de Provence, rosemary, or basil all work well.
• Sea salt and black pepper: Keep the seasoning simple so the roasted green beans and cheese stay the focus.

How to Make Keto Green Beans

Step 1: Prep the green beans

Preheat the oven to 400°F and position the rack in the center.

Trim and wash the green beans if needed, then dry them well. Removing excess moisture helps them roast instead of steam.

Step 2: Season

Toss the green beans with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and dried herbs.

Spread them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I try not to crowd the pan so the beans have room to brown.

Step 3: Roast

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the green beans are tender and starting to brown on the bottom.

I like them tender but not overly soft, so I start checking around 15 minutes.

Step 4: Add the cheese

Sprinkle the Parmesan and shredded white cheese evenly over the green beans.

Broil for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Dry the green beans well. Extra water makes them steam instead of roast.
• Use a single layer. Crowding the pan traps moisture and reduces browning.
• Start checking at 15 minutes. Thinner green beans cook faster than thick ones.
• Add the cheese at the end. Roasting the cheese for the entire cooking time can cause it to overbrown before the beans are tender.
• Use freshly shredded cheese when possible. It generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
• Double the recipe on two pans. Giving the beans enough room is more important than squeezing a double batch onto one baking sheet.

Substitutions and Variations

• Change the cheese: Mozzarella and Monterey Jack are mild and creamy, while Gruyere or Swiss add a nuttier flavor. Cheddar can also work if you want something sharper.
• Use frozen green beans: Roast them directly from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. They may be slightly softer than fresh green beans.
• Skip the cheese: Leave off the Parmesan and shredded cheese for simple oven-roasted green beans.
• Change the herbs: Italian seasoning, rosemary, basil, or Herbs de Provence all pair well with green beans.
• Add garlic: Garlic powder can be mixed into the seasoning before roasting for extra savory flavor.

What to Serve with Cheesy Green Beans

These cheesy roasted green beans pair well with simple high protein low carb mains like air fryer turkey breast, air fried pork chops, and bone-in chicken thighs.

Meal Prep and Storage

• Store leftover cheesy green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• For the best texture, reheat them in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. The microwave works too, but the beans and cheese will be softer.
• You can trim and wash the green beans a day ahead. Dry them well and refrigerate until you're ready to season and roast them.
• I would not recommend freezing the finished cheesy green beans because both the beans and melted cheese can become softer after thawing.

Macros

Per serving, this low carb green beans recipe has approximately:

• Calories: 115
• Protein: 6g
• Total carbs: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Net carbs: 4g
• Fat: 8g

With about 4 net carbs per serving, these cheesy green beans work well as a low carb or keto-friendly side dish.

FAQs

Are green beans low carb?

Yes. Green beans are a lower-carb vegetable and can fit easily into a low carb eating pattern. This recipe has about 4 net carbs per serving after subtracting fiber from the total carbohydrates.

Are green beans keto-friendly?

Yes. Green beans can fit into a keto diet when portioned within your daily carb target. This recipe keeps the ingredients simple with green beans, olive oil, herbs, Parmesan, and cheese.

What cheese goes best with green beans?

Parmesan pairs especially well with green beans because its salty, savory flavor complements the roasted vegetable. Mozzarella and Monterey Jack give you a mild, melty finish, while Gruyere or Swiss add a nuttier flavor.

Is it better to roast or boil green beans?

Roasting gives green beans a more concentrated flavor and lightly browned edges, while boiling produces a softer texture. For this cheesy green bean recipe, roasting works especially well because the beans stay sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese.

Low Carb Vegetable Side Dishes

• Low carb broccoli fritters
• Easy baked green beans
• Keto Brussel sprouts casserole
• Low carb cauliflower mac and cheese
• Slow cooker cabbage and bacon
• Cauliflower keto mashed potatoes
• Green bean casserole with cream cheese
• Pureed butternut squash (low carb)
• Creamed spinach (with fresh spinach)
• Keto cauliflower casserole with bacon
• Low carb radishes

If you loved our recipe, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and leave us a comment too! Connect with us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube!

Recipe