Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole

Perfect for holiday dinners, this make-ahead green bean casserole topped with fried shallots has a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that really elevates the dish.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 250 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup half-and-half
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
• butter-flavored cooking spray
• 3 large shallots
• 1 (10 ounce) package button mushrooms, sliced
• 0.33333334326744 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1.25 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Spray a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Mince shallots until you have 3 tablespoons; slice remaining shallots into 1/8-inch rounds. Set both aside.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add beans and cook until tender but still crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain, rinse, and pat dry; set aside.

Step 4

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add minced shallots and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour, then slowly add half-and-half, broth, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil while stirring.

Step 5

Reduce heat to a simmer and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in green beans and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish, cover, and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight, or until ready to bake.

Step 6

Remove casserole from the refrigerator and bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Step 7

While the casserole is baking, dredge shallot rings in remaining flour until evenly coated.

Step 8

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Lower shallots carefully into the hot oil, working in batches if necessary. Fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, then drain on paper towels.

Step 9

Remove casserole from the oven and top with fried shallots.