If you’re like me, then you’re always on the search for delicious recipes that are easy to make. For me, green bean casserole is one of those dishes. But if I have leftovers, Can I Reheat Green Bean Casserole?
Casseroles are great because you can prepare them ahead of time and store them in the freezer for months. Preparing the casserole ahead of time makes busy weeknights a little bit easier.
They are also staples of the holiday season because of how easy it is to prepare the casserole ahead of time. And most casseroles can be reheated from frozen!
I love green bean casserole because it makes both the perfect side dish and a great main dish. No matter how you serve it, it’s sure to be a fan favorite at the dinner table.
To make sure the green bean casserole tastes as fresh as if it were just made that day, it is important to reheat it properly.
Follow along to learn all my tips on the best way to reheat green bean casserole.
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Can you make green bean casserole ahead of time and reheat it?
Yes! One of the best things about green bean casserole is that you can make it months ahead of time. It also only takes about 10 minutes of prep time.
You only need a few ingredients to prepare make-ahead green bean casserole:
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Milk
- Soy sauce
- Green beans (these can be fresh green beans or canned green beans)
If you’re using fresh green beans, parboil them in water over medium heat. Make sure they return to room temperature before combining them with the rest of the ingredients. Season the green bean mixture with salt and black pepper.
Transfer the mixture into a baking dish, then cover it in plastic wrap and tin foil. Then store it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
When you’re ready to reheat the frozen casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Discard the plastic wrap and foil and replace them with fresh aluminum foil.
Bake the casserole for about 45 minutes, then top with crispy fried onions. Bake for another 20 minutes until the onions have crisped, and the casserole is bubbly.
How do you reheat a casserole in the oven?
Reheating a casserole in the oven is super simple. The cooking process can vary depending on the type of casserole, so make sure to follow the baking instructions on the recipe you are using.
For green bean casserole, replace the plastic wrap and tin foil it was stored in the freezer with with new foil.
Then pop the casserole dish the oven and bake it for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the foil, top the casserole with crispy onions, and bake for another 20 minutes.
The reason for not making the fried onions ahead of time is that they can get soggy in the freezer. Making the fried onions on the day will ensure that the onions are crispy and fresh.
Can green bean casserole be made ahead of time?
The greatest thing about green bean casserole is that it can be made days, weeks, and even months in advance!
To make green bean casserole ahead of time, all you need to do is follow the instructions from your favorite green bean casserole recipe.
But after you transfer it to an oven-safe dish, don’t bake it. Instead, cover it with plastic wrap and tin foil and store it in the freezer.
Most green bean casseroles only need a few ingredients: cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and green beans. You can also make the cream of mushroom soup from scratch.
If you choose to make homemade mushroom sauce, you will also need unsalted butter, onion, mushrooms, all purpose flour, chicken stock (or chicken broth), and heavy cream.
Whether you choose to use canned mushroom soup or homemade, green bean casserole is still an easy recipe to make ahead of time.
My pro tip is to leave off the fried onion before freezing and add the crunchy topping when you reheat the casserole. Freezing the fried onion can make it soggy.
I also like to top it with some parmesan cheese to put a twist on the classic green bean casserole recipe.
How do you keep green bean casserole from getting mushy?
Green bean casserole is great for everything from a simple weeknight to thanksgiving dinner, but this classic recipe can easily become mushy during the cooking process if not done properly.
If you’re using fresh ingredients, like fresh green beans, make sure not to overcook them on the stovetop.
If you overcook them before adding them to the rest of the casserole mixture, then they will become mushy in the oven.
To make sure your green beans cook the right amount, make sure you are parboiling them. Parboiling means you are only slightly–not fully–cooking the green beans.
They will then cook the rest of the way in the oven.
Another important step to making sure your green bean casserole is crispy is making sure the fried onion isn’t soggy. If preparing a make-ahead casserole, don’t add the onion before freezing.
The freezing and reheating process will make them soggy. Instead, add the fried onions on the day you are planning to serve the casserole.
Can I store already cooked green bean casserole as leftovers?
Not only is green bean casserole great for meal prepping, but leftover casserole makes great next day meals.
Rather than storing the whole casserole in an airtight container, I recommend storing the leftover green bean casserole in small portions.
That way, you can either send some leftovers home with guests, or you can use them as side dishes for the rest of the week’s meals.
- For best results, store the leftover green bean casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also refreeze the leftovers and enjoy them for up to four months.
- The onion topping might get a little bit soggy, so I suggest discarding it before storing the leftovers. You can always top it with more when reheating.
- The easy way to reheat refrigerated green bean casserole is to microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl in one minute increments until the internal temperature is consistent all the way through.
- If you refreeze the cooked green bean casserole, you can reheat it by preparing it in the oven for about 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Need more information?
Check out this Ultimate Guide to Green Bean Casserole to answer these important questions:
- Can you make it ahead of time?
- Can you freeze it?
- Can you make it without cream of mushroom soup?
- What to do with Leftovers.
Favorite Green Bean Casserole Recipes:
- Green Bean Bundle Casserole
- Joanna Gaines Green Bean Casserole
- Crack Green Bean Casserole
- Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole
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!
No matter how you choose to enjoy this classic recipe, it is sure to be a fan favorite. Green bean casserole is perfect for meal prep, large gatherings, and leftovers. Hopefully, these tips will help you prepare delicious and fresh make-ahead green bean casserole.
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