Reuben Casserole

Name: Reuben Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 12 slices rye bread (dark, light, or swirled) (10 slices cut into 1-inch cubes, 2 slices cut into tiny cubes.); 1 pound sliced corned beef or pastrami (sliced into strips or chopped); 14 ounce can sauerkraut (drained and dried); 1 cup chopped dill pickles (drained and dried ); 4 cups shredded Swiss cheese; 3/4 cup thousand island dressing; 1/2 cup milk; 2 large eggs; 3 tablespoons salted butter (divided); 2 tablespoons dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon caraway seeds; fresh parsley for garish (optional)

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This Reuben Casserole recipe has all the flavors of the classic sandwich in one comforting casserole that you can make in just an hour! With an easy ingredient list, this savory bake is a crowd-favorite perfect for any time of the year.

This Reuben Casserole is one that is asked for time and time again by my family when we are entertaining. It’s a true crowd favorite recipe thanks to it’s savory corned beef, Thousand Island, Swiss, and sauerkraut flavors in each bite.

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I truly love a classic reuben sandwich. It’s something I always get on my yearly trip to New York City at Katz’s deli. The tender corned beef or pastrami just melts in your mouth in each bite.

I knew I could turn this sandwich into a classic casserole recipe, so I started experimenting in the kitchen, and over time this recipe was born. It’s a real winner for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Plus, it’s great to make in advance too!

With a start to finish time of 1 hour, it’s something that will be in your recipe arsenal that’s truly comforting and delicious. If you love a casserole, be sure to try our Easy Swiss Chicken Stuffing Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole, and French Onion Hashbrown Casserole.

A plate with a slice of Reuben casserole and a salad.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The best part of this corned beef casserole is that it can be served for pretty much any meal of the day. It’s an ideal entertaining dish thanks to the savory flavors in a creamy egg custard.
Made in under an hour! You can have all the flavors of a reuben sandwich in each bite of this casserole in just an hour. It’s so simple and insanely delicious.
Make this recipe in advance for easy party prep. You can assemble the dish up to 8 hours in advance and store in the fridge. Then just bake and serve for a busy weeknight or weekend entertaining.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Rye bread (dark, light, or swirled): Any type will do! Choose your favorite or what you grocery store has in stock.
Sliced corned beef or pastrami: Find the best quality corned beef or pastrami you can. Make sure it’s thinly sliced so it disperses in the casserole nicely.
Sauerkraut: Adds that delicious tang as well as probiotics to the casserole, you can’t go wrong here!
Dill pickles: Essential to any reuben in my opinion, they add a crunch and acidic flavor that highlights all of the ingredients together.
Shredded Swiss cheese: Makes the ooey gooey casserole quality and adds a mild cheesy flavor.
Thousand island dressing: Make your own or use the store-bought kind, you can’t skip out on this essential ingredient.
Milk: Helps form the custard base for the casserole.
Large eggs: Stabilizes the casserole and allows it to set. Makes it a custard-like filling.
Salted butter: The fat that binds everything together and also adds a delicious flavor.
Dijon mustard: Contributes nice tang and brightness in flavor to each bite.
Caraway seeds: That classic rye flavor, we add additional to amp up the flavor in each bite.
Parsley (optional): A bit of a fresh garnish to finish off the dish.

The ingredients to make Reuben casserole.

How to Make Reuben Casserole

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13″x9″ baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Spread half of the 1-inch cubed rye bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. It should nearly cover the bottom of the pan.
Layer half of the corned beef or pastrami over the bread cubes.

Adding corned beef to the top of a Reuben casserole.

Disperse the prepared sauerkraut and pickles evenly on top.

Adding pickles and sauerkraut to the top of a Reuben casserole.

Sprinkle half of the shredded Swiss cheese over the pickles.

Adding swiss cheese tot the top of Reuben casserole.

Top with the remaining 1-inch cubed rye bread followed by another layer of corned beef or pastrami. Press down so that the picture compacts slightly.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded Swiss cheese over the top.
In a small bowl, combine milk, Thousand Island dressing, eggs, butter, Dijon mustard, and caraway seeds. Pour the mixture evenly over the casserole.

Adding the liquid mixture to the top of a Reuben casserole.

In a bowl, toss the tiny rye bread cubes with the remaining butter. Sprinkle on top of the casserole.

Spritz a sheet of aluminum foil with non-stick spray or oil. Cover the baking dish tightly with the foil, greased side down. Bake 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and bread crumbs are toasted.
Allow the casserole to rest at least 5 minutes prior to serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or additional chopped pickles, if desired.

Expert Tips

Omit the sauerkraut if desired. You can leave this ingredient out if needed and it then becomes a Rachel casserole.
Drain the sauerkraut well before adding. You want to avoid adding excess liquid to the bake or it will become watery.
Day-old bread is best. If you can dry your bread out a day in advance that works best for this recipe. Just like classic stuffing, the bread will soak up the egg custard mixture.
Shred the Swiss cheese from a block. This is the best way to ensure the casserole is melty and gooey. The pre-shredded cheese has a powdery coating on it that prevents it from melting as well.
Swap the Thousand Island for mayonnaise, milk, and vinegar. If you aren’t a fan of Thousand Island and want a more neutral flavor, simply mix mayonnaise, milk, and a touch of vinegar together instead.
Homemade Corned Beef: Sous Vide Corned Beef makes the most tender, juicy, flavorful corned beef with the best texture.

What to Serve with Reuben Casserole

This casserole can go with so many side dishes! A few of our favorites to pair it with are a simple House Salad, the Best Broccoli Salad, or Crispy & Garlicky Green Beans! It’s also excellent with soups like this Irish Potato Soup!

Making this for St. Patrick’s Day, end the meal with these festive Mint Chocolate Cookie Cups!

Storage

Cool any leftovers to room temperature and place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s best to reheat in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until warm to re-crisp the bread and melt the cheese. You can also microwave to reheat, but the bread won’t be as crisp.

We don’t recommend freezing the leftovers as it will change the texture of the bread and custard filling.

If you want to make the casserole ahead of time, you can assemble and keep it in the fridge for up to 8 hours before baking. This is ideal for entertaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dirty reuben sandwich?

A twist on the classic, it has roast beef, purple slaw, American cheese, and dirty dressing.

Is a classic reuben made with corned beef or pastrami?

Corned beef. Pastrami is also delicious but not part of the classic recipe.

What is a reuben sandwich without sauerkraut?

It’s called a Rachel sandwich. The Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw.

Is there a substitute for Thousand Island?

Russian dressing works well too, it’s tangier than Thousand Island.

What is in Thousand Island Dressing?

Ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, and a hint of white vinegar.

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