Hearty Reuben Casserole: The Ultimate Deconstructed Deli Delight for Family Dinners
Imagine all the iconic, mouth-watering flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich – the savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy Thousand Island dressing, melted Swiss cheese, and hearty rye bread – transformed into a comforting, bubbling casserole designed for sharing. This Reuben casserole offers a delightful twist on a deli favorite, layering each delicious component into a single baking dish, perfect for family-style serving. It’s essentially a deconstructed Reuben, providing all the beloved tastes and textures but in a much more abundant and satisfying format that ensures there’s plenty to go around for everyone at the table. This innovative approach makes enjoying the beloved flavors of a Reuben easier and more communal than ever before.
Why This Reuben Casserole Recipe Is a Must-Try
This Reuben casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that dance on your palate. Each bite delivers the quintessential taste of a Reuben sandwich, expertly balanced by the briny sauerkraut, tender corned beef, crisp rye bread, gooey Swiss cheese, zesty pickles, and the rich, creamy Thousand Island dressing. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and ingenuity: combining all these key ingredients into one bubbly, hot dish not only makes for an incredibly easy and satisfying family dinner but also offers a brilliant way to utilize leftover corned beef, especially after holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. It transforms familiar deli flavors into a hearty, comforting casserole that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new, making it a perfect addition to your weekly meal rotation.
Our love for the Reuben knows no bounds around here! We’ve previously celebrated this classic sandwich with a homemade Reuben dip, perfect for parties and casual get-togethers. It just goes to show that when you truly adore a food, finding new and creative ways to enjoy it is always a good idea. This casserole is the logical next step, offering a substantial meal that brings the beloved Reuben to your dinner table in a whole new dimension, making it accessible and enjoyable for a larger group or for convenient meal prep.
Key Ingredients for Your Delicious Reuben Casserole
Crafting the perfect Reuben casserole begins with selecting high-quality ingredients that truly embody the essence of the classic sandwich. You’ll find a complete list of all necessary measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the conclusion of this article. However, let’s dive into some of the star components that make this dish so irresistible, ensuring you’re well-equipped to create this comforting meal.
Ingredient Spotlight: Tips for Best Results & Easy Swaps
Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing what substitutions are possible can elevate your Reuben casserole from good to truly exceptional. Here’s a closer look at the key components, offering insights and flexibility to suit your taste and pantry:
BREAD – For this recipe, we opted for a robust marble rye bread, which provides a beautiful visual contrast and a slightly sweeter, richer flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients. However, traditional pumpernickel bread is an excellent alternative, offering a denser texture and a distinct, dark rye taste. You can also experiment with other varieties of rye bread – dark, light, or even Russian rye – each lending its own unique character to the casserole. The important thing is to choose a bread that holds up well when cubed and baked, absorbing the delicious flavors without becoming soggy. Cubing the bread allows it to integrate perfectly into the layers, creating a satisfying texture throughout the dish that’s both soft and slightly toasted.
CORNED BEEF – The undisputed star of any Reuben! While thin deli slices of corned beef are incredibly convenient and work wonderfully for quick assembly, don’t hesitate to get creative. If you happen to have leftover corned beef brisket from a holiday meal, chopping it into hearty chunks instead of slices can add an even more substantial bite and a delightful chewiness to the casserole, making it truly a “leftover hero.” For those who prefer a slightly different flavor or texture, pastrami makes a fantastic substitute, bringing its own peppery, smoked notes to the party, which can be a delightful variation.
SAUERKRAUT – This fermented cabbage is crucial for the Reuben’s signature tangy kick, providing a bright counterpoint to the rich meat and cheese. When preparing your sauerkraut, ensure it is thoroughly drained. Excess moisture can make your casserole watery, diminishing the rich flavors and creamy texture you’re aiming for. A good squeeze or pressing it between paper towels can make all the difference. You can use canned, jarred, or even fresh sauerkraut – just remember to drain it well to maintain the casserole’s integrity!
SWISS CHEESE – We utilize both sliced and shredded Swiss cheese in this recipe to achieve different textures and optimal melting properties. The sliced Swiss cheese creates distinct, gooey layers within the body of the casserole, adding a smooth, savory element. Meanwhile, the shredded Swiss cheese on top melts into a beautiful, golden-brown crust, providing a lovely textural contrast. For an even richer, nuttier flavor, consider using Emmental or Gruyere cheese, which are types of Swiss known for their superior melting qualities and deeper taste profiles.
THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING – This creamy, tangy dressing is the essential binder and flavor enhancer for the Reuben casserole. It masterfully brings together all the savory and sour notes with its unique sweet-and-tangy profile. You can use your favorite store-bought brand for ultimate convenience, or whip up a homemade version if you prefer for a more personalized touch. The large egg whisked into the dressing mixture acts as a binding agent, helping the casserole hold its shape as it bakes and adding a lovely richness and moisture.
PICKLES – While often considered an optional garnish in a traditional Reuben sandwich, chopped dill pickles are an absolutely awesome and highly recommended addition to this casserole. Their bright, briny crunch cuts through the richness of the other ingredients, adding a burst of fresh, acidic flavor and a satisfying textural contrast that truly elevates the dish. If you’re a fan of that extra zing and dynamic texture, definitely don’t skip them!
Effortlessly Assemble Your Hearty Reuben Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are provided to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful Reuben casserole. For the complete printable version of this recipe, including exact measurements and a comprehensive list of instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the very bottom of this post.
- First, begin by preheating your oven to a precise 400°F (200°C). This crucial step ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking and proper cooking once the casserole is fully assembled, guaranteeing a perfectly golden and bubbly result.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the Thousand Island dressing, a large egg, and the yellow mustard. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and smooth. The egg helps bind the casserole and adds a lovely richness, while the mustard contributes an essential layer of zesty, piquant flavor to the creamy dressing mixture.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the thoroughly drained sauerkraut and the chopped dill pickles. Mix them gently to ensure an even distribution. Remember, draining the sauerkraut is absolutely crucial to prevent the casserole from becoming watery, which would dilute its robust flavors.
- Prepare your meats and cheeses: Carefully slice the deli corned beef and the Swiss cheese slices into convenient, uniform strips. These strips are ideal for layering evenly throughout the casserole, ensuring a balanced distribution of flavors in every bite.
- Next, take your chosen loaf of rye bread and cut it into uniform cubes. These bread cubes will form the sturdy base and eventually a delightful, crispy top layer of your casserole, absorbing all the delicious flavors and adding a wonderful texture.
- Now, it’s time to assemble your casserole! In a 13×9 inch baking dish, spread an even layer of the cubed rye bread across the bottom. This acts as a delicious and absorbent foundation for your casserole, soaking up the flavorful juices as it bakes.
- Following the bread, add a single, even layer of the corned beef strips. Distribute them well and flatly so every serving gets a good portion of tender meat, contributing to the casserole’s hearty nature.
- Evenly spread the sauerkraut and pickle mixture over the corned beef layer. This crucial layer introduces the signature tang and desirable crunch that defines a Reuben sandwich, contrasting beautifully with the rich meat.
- Spoon and gently spread a generous layer of the Thousand Island dressing mixture over the sauerkraut and pickles. This creamy layer will infuse the casserole with its signature flavor and moisture, binding all the components together as it bakes.
- Finally for this initial set of layers, add a layer of the Swiss cheese strips. These will melt beautifully into soft, gooey pockets, enhancing the overall creaminess and characteristic flavor of the Reuben.
- To ensure a balanced flavor throughout, add another layer of corned beef strips, followed by another layer of the sauerkraut and pickle mixture. This layering technique guarantees that every forkful offers a delightful combination of all the key Reuben components.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the casserole during the initial baking phase, ensuring even cooking and preventing the top layers from browning too quickly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven and completely remove the foil. Now, add the remaining bread cubes to the very top, distributing them evenly. Follow this by generously sprinkling on the shredded Swiss cheese. This top layer will become delightfully crispy and golden during the final bake.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the shredded cheese is perfectly melted, beautifully bubbly, and has achieved a golden-brown hue. Once done, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This crucial resting period helps the casserole set, making it much easier to serve cleanly and ensuring all those delicious flavors have time to fully meld together for maximum enjoyment.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Reuben Casserole
Storing your leftover Reuben casserole correctly will ensure its deliciousness for days to come. Once the casserole has cooled completely to room temperature (this is important to prevent condensation), transfer it to an airtight container. Alternatively, you can tightly wrap the entire baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave, or a larger portion can be gently reheated in a conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, which helps maintain texture.
Absolutely! This Reuben casserole is an excellent candidate for make-ahead meal prep, which can be a real time-saver for busy schedules or when entertaining. You can fully prepare this casserole up to step 11 – meaning all the delicious layers are assembled in the baking dish, ready for its first bake. Once assembled, cover the dish securely with an airtight lid or several layers of plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to one day. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then proceed with the remaining steps (covering with foil, baking, adding final bread and cheese, and finishing uncovered). This strategy is perfect for seamless party hosting or convenient weeknight meals!
While traditional corned beef is iconic for a Reuben, you can certainly experiment with other meats to suit your preference or what you have on hand. Pastrami is a fantastic alternative, offering a smokier, spicier profile that complements the other ingredients beautifully and still fits the deli theme. If you’re looking for something lighter, sliced or shredded turkey could be used, effectively creating a “Rachael” casserole (a popular variation of the Reuben that uses turkey instead of corned beef). For a more adventurous twist, some people even enjoy using thinly sliced roast beef. Just ensure your chosen meat is thinly sliced or shredded to integrate well into the casserole layers and cook evenly.
For the best results and to ensure your Reuben casserole is absolutely perfect, here are a few expert tips: Thoroughly drain your sauerkraut: This is paramount to avoid a watery casserole that can become soggy. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible – this step truly makes a difference. Cube your bread evenly: Uniform bread cubes ensure even absorption of flavor and consistent texture throughout the dish, preventing some pieces from becoming overly soft while others remain too firm. Don’t overpack the dish: Leave a little room for the layers to expand and the cheese to bubble up beautifully without overflowing. Use quality ingredients: Since there are relatively few components in a Reuben, each one shines, so choose good quality corned beef, Swiss cheese, and rye bread for the most authentic and delicious flavor. Allow for resting time: Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking allows the layers to set and the cheese to firm up slightly, making it much easier to slice and serve cleanly, and ensuring the flavors have time to fully meld together.
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Reuben Casserole
While a Reuben casserole is incredibly hearty and satisfying on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to complete your meal and enhance the dining experience. For a classic deli experience, serve it alongside a crisp dinner salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness, a side of crispy french fries, or a bowl of crunchy potato chips. A simple bowl of sliced dill pickles on the side can also provide an extra burst of tang and a refreshing crunch, perfectly mimicking the classic sandwich experience. If you’re looking to lighten up the meal or incorporate more vegetables, consider serving it with roasted broccoli, steamed green beans, glazed carrots, or tender asparagus. These options provide a fresh contrast and additional nutrients without overwhelming the star of the show. A creamy, tangy coleslaw would also be a fantastic crunchy side, bringing another layer of deli-inspired flavor.
Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and comforting nature of casserole cooking, you’re in luck! We have plenty more delightful recipes to explore that are perfect for any occasion. Casseroles are the ultimate family-friendly meal, ideal for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Here are some other favorites you might enjoy, each promising a hearty and delicious experience:
- Taco Casserole: A vibrant, flavor-packed dish that brings all your favorite taco fixings – seasoned meat, beans, corn, and cheese – into one easy, oven-baked masterpiece.
- Mexican Chicken Casserole: Hearty and incredibly delicious, this casserole is loaded with tender chicken, black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and plenty of cheesy goodness, perfect for a Southwestern twist.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: All the indulgent, savory flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger, reimagined in a comforting pasta bake that’s sure to be a family hit.
- Chicken and Dumpling Casserole: A beloved classic comfort food, made incredibly easy and fuss-free in a single casserole dish, featuring tender chicken and fluffy dumplings.
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole: A truly rich and creamy chicken casserole that lives up to its name with its decadent ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavor.
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Reuben Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
12
servings
1 hour
5 minutes
367
Amanda Davis
Ingredients
-
1
pint
thousand island dressing
2 cups -
1
large
egg -
3
Tablespoons
yellow mustard -
28
ounces
sauerkraut
two 14 ounce containers, drained -
1
cup
chopped dill pickles -
1
pound
deli corned beef -
7
ounces
sliced Swiss cheese
about 10 slices -
6
ounces
shredded Swiss cheese
about 1 1/2 cups -
1
loaf
marble rye bread
about 8-9 slices, cubed
Things You’ll Need
-
13×9 baking dish -
Chef’s knife
Before You Begin
- If you prefer, you can chop the corned beef into chunks instead of slices. This can add a different texture and heartiness to the casserole, making it even more substantial.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
- We used marble rye bread, which offers a slight sweetness and visual appeal. However, pumpernickel, dark, light, or Russian rye bread all make excellent substitutes, each bringing its own unique flavor profile to the dish and ensuring a robust foundation.
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400 F.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk Thousand Island dressing, egg, and mustard.
-
In a second medium bowl, combine sauerkraut and chopped pickles.
-
Slice the corned beef and the Swiss cheese slices into strips.
-
Cut the bread into cubes.
-
In a 13×9 baking dish, add a layer of bread cubes.
-
Next, add a single layer of corned beef strips.
-
Add a layer of sauerkraut and pickles.
-
Add a layer of Thousand Island dressing mixture.
-
Finally, add a layer of Swiss cheese strips.
-
Add another layer of corned beef strips and a layer of sauerkraut mixture.
-
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
-
Remove from oven, remove foil. Add a layer of bread cubes and sprinkle on the shredded Swiss cheese.
-
Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until cheese is melted. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
slice
|
Calories:
367
cal
|
Carbohydrates:
10
g
|
Protein:
16
g
|
Fat:
30
g
|
Saturated Fat:
10
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
8
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
8
g
|
Trans Fat:
0.003
g
|
Cholesterol:
75
mg
|
Sodium:
1477
mg
|
Potassium:
314
mg
|
Fiber:
3
g
|
Sugar:
7
g
|
Vitamin A:
397
IU
|
Vitamin C:
20
mg
|
Calcium:
314
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.