Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish that is easy to prepare in advance, helping you manage multiple dishes effortlessly on the big day. Crisp-tender green beans are coated in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with crispy fried onions, and can be assembled ahead and refrigerated until baking.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (blanching), plus baking time as needed (typically 25 minutes at 350°F)
- Total Time: 40 minutes (excluding refrigeration time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Green Beans
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
Sauce
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Topping
- 1 (6-ounce) can crispy fried onions
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. This ensures the beans are partially cooked but still retain a fresh snap.
- Shock the Beans: Drain the green beans and immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and texture.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Beans and Sauce: Add the cooled green beans to the soup mixture and gently stir to coat all the beans evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the green bean and sauce mixture into a casserole dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crispy fried onions evenly over the top to add a crunchy texture after baking.
- Refrigerate the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. This make-ahead step allows the flavors to meld and frees up time on cooking day.
- Baking and Serving Tips (for reheating): When ready to bake, uncover the casserole and bake in a preheated oven until hot and bubbly. Add an additional layer of fresh crispy onions on top before serving to maintain the iconic crunch.
Notes
- The green beans can be blanched and the casserole assembled up to 2 days in advance for convenience.
- If baking ahead of time, reheat thoroughly before serving and add extra crispy onions for freshness.
- Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor, but frozen green beans can be used if trimmed and thawed.
- Adjust soy sauce for sodium preference or dietary restrictions.
- Storing leftovers in an airtight container helps maintain freshness for 2-3 days.
Keywords: green bean casserole, Thanksgiving side dish, make-ahead casserole, creamy mushroom sauce, crispy fried onions