Green bean casserole is one of my family’s favorite casserole dishes. It is the perfect side dish to bring to family gatherings, thanksgiving dinner, potlucks, or to accompany a home-cooked meal. But can you Freeze Green Bean Casserole?
Can you freeze green bean casserole?
This dish is especially great for the holiday season. The steaming string beans and earthy black pepper add so much warmth to the cold time of year.
The fried onions also make it deliciously crunchy (sometimes, I even add panko bread crumbs to make it even crispier). This balance of flavors is why it is such a popular recipe.
Green beans are high in vitamin K and calcium, meaning green bean casserole is not only a delicious casserole dish but also a nutritious one. I love when foods are both good for you and fun to eat, and green bean casserole checks all the boxes.
It also makes a perfect make-ahead meal. Preparing and freezing green bean casserole is a great way to save time in the kitchen while still preparing a healthy and hearty meal.
Properly storing frozen casserole can be intimidating for those who have never done it before, but once you learn the steps, you’ll be a pro in no time.
Luckily, I have plenty of tips to help you learn how to freeze green bean casserole. Follow along easy steps on the best way to freeze green bean casserole. Your future self will thank you!
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Does green bean casserole freeze well?
Green bean casserole is a great dish to freeze either before or after baking. I love freezing make-ahead casserole. It saves so much cooking time by cutting away prep time on the day of.
Freezing your casserole before baking allows you to prepare ahead, then simply pop it in the oven when it’s time to cook. All you need to do is prepare the dish as normal. You can use either fresh green beans or canned green beans.
If you use fresh green beans, you will have to cook them in a large pot of water over medium heat, so you are not adding raw green beans to the mixture. Just make sure that the ingredients come back to room temperature before freezing.
If you’re using canned beans, you don’t have to use heat. You can just add the canned green beans to the cream of mushroom soup.
After freezing, thaw frozen green bean casserole before baking.
How to Freeze Green Bean Casserole
- Add the green bean mixture to a baking dish, then wrap the dish with plastic wrap. Use tin foil over the plastic wrap to create an airtight container before storing it in the freezer.
- Label and date the freezer safe dish and freeze. The frozen casserole will last up to 6 months.
- If you are freeze cooked green bean casserole, seal the baking dish with plastic wrap and foil like you would with an unbaked casserole.
- The crispy onions might become soggy, so if you’re able to discard any of the crispy topping before freezing, I will do so. You can always remake the crispy fried onions when reheating.
- When storing a casserole in the freezer, write the date on the foil. The leftover green bean casserole will taste as great as if you prepped it just beforehand.
- Thaw the casserole before baking.
How do you reheat frozen green bean casserole?
For best results, let the frozen green bean casserole thaw overnight in the fridge before baking it.
If the green bean casserole has not already been cooked, then preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the plastic wrap and foil from the frozen casserole and replace it with new foil.
Bake the casserole for about 45 minutes, then uncover it and top it with fried onions. Continue baking for another 20 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the onions have crisped.
If the frozen casserole was already cooked, add fried onions and pop it in the oven for only 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Can you make green bean casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it?
If you are going to refrigerate an uncooked casserole, leave off the onion topping for best results. Refrigerating the crispy toppings can make them soggy, and the casserole will be mushy.
Assemble the casserole, then cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
When you are ready to cook the casserole, remove it from the fridge for about half an hour before baking. After it has sat out for 30 minutes, add the crunchy french fried onions topping to the casserole.
Bake the casserole at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until it gets bubbly.
Can you freeze casseroles with cream of mushroom soup?
Casseroles with cream soup, like cream of chicken or cream of mushroom, don’t freeze as well as less dairy-heavy casseroles, but it is still possible.
If stored properly without much air, casseroles made with cream of mushroom soup can freeze for about 6 months.
Green bean casserole is one of those easy recipes that always taste like home, which is why it is one of my favorite dishes. It is super simple to prepare and store for months, as long as it is done correctly.
Need more information?
Check out this Ultimate Guide to Green Bean Casserole to answer these important questions:
- Can you make it ahead of time?
- How to reheat it.
- Can you make it without cream of mushroom soup?
Favorite Green Bean Casserole Recipes:
If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!
Hopefully, these tips helped you learn how to freeze your green bean casserole for you to enjoy for months to come.
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