Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

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posted by Christy Denneyon Mar 15, 202447 comments »

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This Reuben Casserole recipe has all the layers of your favorite Reuben sandwich in casserole form! Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and Rye bread all make this casserole taste just like the sandwich. A St. Patrick’s Day classic!

Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (1)

REUBEN CASSEROLE RECIPE

As I’ve said before, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t necessarily a holiday that I get excited to cook up a storm for (until this Reuben casserole). Dishes doused with bottles of green food coloring aren’t exactly my idea of appealing but it seems to be the overwhelming theme of the holiday.

It doesn’t stop me from making my kids green eggs and ham for breakfast because it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day if I didn’t spend some quality time in the kitchen making a green breakfast my kids refuse to eat.Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2)

And apparently I’m getting lazy in my old age because I’m constantly searching for ways to make cooking easier. Case in point, instead of making 8 Reuben sandwichesI layeredall of the ingredients in a casserole dish and baked it.

The bread on top gets all toasty which is the perfect compliment to the layers of corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and Swiss cheese. Reuben sandwiches are one of my husband’s favorites and I knew he would be all over this.

INGREDIENTS LIST

Here are the main components of a Reuben sandwich.

  • CORNED BEEF– you can buy corned beef deli meat at the deli counter or make your ownCorned Beef.Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (3)
  • SAUERKRAUT– All it is is fermented cabbage which adds flavor and acidity.Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (4)
  • SWISS CHEESEReuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (5)
  • THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING
  • SLICES OF RYE BREAD– you could also use butter crackers, rye crackers, or pita chips

Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (6)

The traditional bread in a Reuben sandwich is rye but you could use any sturdier bread you had on hand. I used a beautiful marble rye.

Assembling the casserole takes a matter of minutes. I will say one important thing to note is to make sure you drain your sauerkraut well and even dab it with a paper towel to make sure the liquid is out so that it doesn’t seep to the bottom of the casserole while baking.

MORE ST. PATRICK’S DAY RECIPES:

  • Rainbow Cupcakes
  • Chocolate Mint Bark
  • BYU Mint Brownies

Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (7)

Reuben Casserole

4.34 from 42 votes

Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and Rye bread all make this Reuben Casserole taste just like the sandwich.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sliced deli corned beef, coarsely chopped
  • 16 ounces sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup Thousand Island salad dressing
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
  • 6 slices Rye bread, cubed

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

  • Layer corned beef on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

  • Make sure the sauerkraut is drained and patted dry. Sprinkle it on top of the beef.

  • Drizzle the dressing on top of the sauerkraut and sprinkle the Swiss cheese on top.

  • Arrange the diced bread on top of the casserole and lightly spray it with cooking spray so that it toasts up nicely (or you can butter the bread).

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bread is toasted and cheese has melted.

Serving: 8g

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Author: Christy Denney

published on Mar 15, 2024

47 comments Leave a comment »

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47 comments on “Reuben Casserole”

  1. Karen Reply

    Can you use canned corn beef? Of course you would have to heat it to remove the grease first.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Yes you can!

  2. Kelli Reply

    Made a house favorite even easier! We love it!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you!

  3. Christine M Reply

    Scrolling through my saved recipes, looking for an idea for dinner, and refound this amazing recipe. Quick and easy to make with wonderful flavor!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you!

  4. Bailey Reply

    I really think this needs more bread. I felt that it had a lot of sauce and meat, but not enough bread to balance it out. Otherwise, good recipe.

    • Pam Reply

      We like more bread also – so we toast more bread and put the Rueben casserole on top of the toasted bread (open face Rueben)
      We love it !!!
      In fact this is what I’m making today for tomorrow 🍀🙂

  5. Debby Reply

    Hands down, the best Reuben Casserole recipe! Have made it for family, friends, work, and potlucks. It always gets rave reviews. Every once in a while I will make 1/2 recipe and put in individual containers for my lunches for the week. Because the bread is on top, it reheats in microwave without getting soggy.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Great feedback thatnk you!

  6. Veronica Reply

    This is not a casserole. It’s a sandwich in a casserole dish.

  7. Tessa Reply

    I make this all the time we love it! It works great as a meal prep freeze meal. I just assemble it and freeze it. We like to mix sriracha Mayo with the thousand island and pepper jack cheese slices instead of Swiss, gives it a little kick.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Ooh sounds delicious!

    • Stephanie Reply

      Did this freeze well? Was the bread in when you froze it? And how did you reheat it? Sorry for all the questions, lol. I just wanted to know for future reference 🙂

  8. CJC Reply

    Instead of layering the ingredients could you mix everything together than put swiss cheese on top

  9. Barbara Shepherd Reply

    I have tried this numerous times. I use Bavarian sauerkraut and it is delicious.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Oh yum!

      • Ashley Reply

        I am going to be making this for dinner tonight, was wondering if the baking dish needs to sprayed so meat doesn’t stick? And I am having to use Pastrami because the stores in this town only carry deli corn beef of certain Holidays.

      • Nelva Reply

        You must be fun to live with…never know what exciting or different things you would be living eating. You have so many great meal ideas. I lost my husband a little a year ago. I have been dealing with by going to the gym class 4 times a week so that I have a support team. Keep up the great recipes…I love them

        • Christy Denney Reply

          I’m so sorry about your husband. That’s incredibly hard.

  10. Lindsay Reply

    This is an amazing idea!! I never would’ve thought to do a casserole like this and I LOVE reubens like crazy. I’ll have to try this out!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Hope you love it!

  11. Kathleen Richter Reply

    This recipe looks awesome, but I have a question I can’t find answered anywhere. I’m not planning on using deli corned beef but have regular uncooked briskets. Do I need to precook the meat or will it cook through just in the casserole in the oven? I’m thinking I can throw the briskets in the crock pot and assemble the casserole tonight if it needs to be cooked. Thank you for a great recipe. I can’t wait to try it!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      The meat should be cooked because it won’t have enough time in the casserole to get fully done.

  12. MARIA GIL Reply

    I THIS IS MARIA GIL.
    I SUSCRBIBE TO YOUR EMAIL I LIKE TO CHECK YOUT RECIPIES
    EVERY WEEK I MADE A COPULE ALREADY.
    I AM WOUDERING IF YOU PLANING TO COOK MORE
    MEXICAN RECIPIES
    I WILL LOVE TO SEE MORE OF THOSE.
    GOD BLESS YOUR DAY.

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thank you. I will try to do that!

  13. Samantha Reply

    I made this casserole again tonight and it was excellent, as usual! After having discovering it last fall, I’ve made it several times. It’s a great idea for anyone who loves Reuben sandwiches. Thanks for an easy, delicious recipe!

  14. Kristi Reply

    I’ve made something like this before as my husband and I both like reubens. This was good especially with the toasted bread on top. But we thought there was too much meat in it, (which is unusual for my husband to think that, he’s a meat and potatoes kind of guy) and next time I make it, I’ll make it with less corned beef.

  15. Terry Reply

    Just found your recipe and I will be making it for St. Patrick’s Day. I never really liked Ruben sandwiches until I had one made with Russian dressing. Bingo! Sorry, but just don’t like thousand island. I only mention this for others who may not try your recipe for the same reason. I know people who will not vary from a recipe and not make it if it has just one ingredient that they don’t like. Thanks for the recipe.

  16. shauna Reply

    Do you think it’s okay to assemble it ahead of time and bake it the next morning??? Any help is greatly appreciated 🙂

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Yes, I think that would work!

  17. Candice Reply

    My family loves reubens! This is a tasty way to enjoy them!

  18. Kevin @ Closet Cooking Reply

    Great take on the reuben!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Thanks Kevin!

  19. Stefanie Reply

    Made it for St. Patty’s Day…my husband LOVED it! Thanks for sharing!

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Great to hear!

  20. Carol at Wild Goose Tea Reply

    I am not surprised a Reuben sandwich lover like your husband would be all over this recipe. I am a working woman, so lunch is geared toward that. When I have to make a home lunch, my mind blanks out. Maybe because I am so grateful that I am not at work, I can’t think straight. Who knows. Laughing. Anyway what a ‘ great get me off the hook of what to serve’ lunch idea this is. Thank you.

  21. Ilona @ Ilona's Passion Reply

    Delicious casserole:)

  22. mila bassett@mila's milieu Reply

    This is genius! I adore Reuben sandwiches. Pumpernickel is my choice of bread for it. I actually never had one in a restaurant, only the one I made at home which is not quite authentic (based on my research)– I replace the dressing with Dijon mustard. My husband and I prefer it this way. Thanks for the idea, putting on my “to cook soon” list!

  23. Vanessa Reply

    This looks delicious!

  24. Shereen from Tweet and Eats Reply

    I can’t remember the last time I had a reuben . This is an interesting twist – have to try.

  25. Chloe @ foodlikecake Reply

    That looks really good! It’s a giant sandwich!

  26. Helen @ the crispy crouton Reply

    I’d really like to give this a try but good corned beef is hard to come by in the UK (we still seem to have a love affair with that weird greasy stuff that comes out of tins!). What other types of meat would be suitable in this dish?

    • Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} Reply

      Hmm. I’m not sure since corned beef is kind of the staple for a Reuben. Maybe a deli roast beef?

      • David jacks Reply

        PAstrami works well on a reuben also

    • Deb M. Reply

      Pastrami works perfect. In fact, that’s the only way my son will eat it. Pastrami and 1000 island dressing. Sometimes he wants a 3 layer sandwich and I’ll use a slice of dark rye, turkey, swiss cheese, another slice of dark rye, pastrami, sauerkraut and a last slice of dark rye. Then I grill it on both sides. Coming up on Tuesday. Yay. : ) Love your website!

    • Virginia Reply

      You can use pastrami and still get the same flavor. There is also a “Rachel” that is the same only they use ham instead.

Leave a comment »

Reuben Casserole Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

FAQs

What is a real Reuben made of? ›

A traditional reuben sandwich consists of thinly sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread slathered with Russian or Thousand Island dressing.

How do you make a Reuben sandwich not soggy? ›

Why is my Reuben sandwich soggy? The culprit is most likely the sauerkraut. Be sure to drain off as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before piling it onto your Reuben sandwich to prevent any sogginess. It's also best to serve Reubens soon after griddling to keep the toasted bread nice and crisp.

What is the opposite of a Reuben sandwich? ›

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw.

Why isn't a Reuben kosher? ›

As a Reuben combines both meat and dairy ingredients in the same meal, it is not kosher. However, it is frequently served at kosher style restaurants. Kosher versions may be made using non-dairy imitation cheese, or substitute vegetarian corned beef, or omitting the meat or the cheese.

What is a dirty Reuben sandwich? ›

Dirty Reuben: Roast Beef, Ike's Dirty Dressing, Purple Slaw, American Cheese. ( I added. #MozzarellaSticks & #Avocado) #YOUreWorthMore.

What is a Texas Reuben? ›

A staple in delicatessens throughout the country, a typical Reuben includes pastrami and vinegar-y sauerkraut on some rye bread. We knew that we could do better, and decided to experiment one weekend with our menu. This Texas Reuben features our own lean smoked brisket thrown over some buttered and griddled rye bread.

Is a Reuben better with Thousand Island or Russian dressing? ›

Sauce - A traditional Reuben sandwich uses creamy Russian dressing for the sauce, but Thousand Island dressing is another popular option that tastes really similar, albeit slightly sweeter with a bit less kick than Russian dressing.

Is Thousand Island the same as Russian dressing? ›

While there are a lot of overlapping ingredients, there are also some key differences between these two iconic slathers. To start, both are mostly made from a mix of mayonnaise and ketchup, but generally, Russian dressing is a little spicy while Thousand Island tends to be on the sweeter side.

Is sauerkraut warm or cold on a Reuben? ›

One key step no matter what is to pre-heat both the corned beef and the sauerkraut, so that you're not trying to warm through the entire jam-packed sandwich and instead are just trying to melt the cheese and toast the bread.

What is a redneck Reuben sandwich? ›

The Redneck Reuben Sandwich is the best BBQ sandwich on the planet! Pork, cheese, collard greens and Texas toast, what more could you need ...

What is a Katz Reuben? ›

Your choice of pastrami, corned beef or turkey breast with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade Russian dressing, all on grilled rye bread... Order Online.

What is a Reuben vs rachel? ›

Perhaps owing to its absence of an exact origin story, the Rachel is certainly more of a pliable sandwich than the classic Reuben as far as ingredients are concerned. The first major difference is that the Rachel swaps brisket-based corned beef for pastrami, which comes from a comparatively leaner cut of the cow.

What is a Reuben called with no sauerkraut? ›

Variations of a Reuben Sandwich

You could also replace the corned beef and sauerkraut with pastrami and coleslaw to make the “Rachel” version.

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef? ›

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

What is a good substitute for meat in a Reuben? ›

Tempeh, seitan, vegetables and mushrooms have stood in for the corned beef, but they're not really needed, because outsize quantities of the other traditional elements make a punchy, gooey sandwich on their own. Both sides of the buttered rye get melted Swiss.

Is a traditional Reuben made with corned beef or pastrami? ›

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

Is a Reuben Thousand Island or Russian? ›

Sauce - A traditional Reuben sandwich uses creamy Russian dressing for the sauce, but Thousand Island dressing is another popular option that tastes really similar, albeit slightly sweeter with a bit less kick than Russian dressing.

Is Arby's Reuben made with corned beef or pastrami? ›

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing.

What's the difference between a Reuben and a Rachel? ›

Perhaps owing to its absence of an exact origin story, the Rachel is certainly more of a pliable sandwich than the classic Reuben as far as ingredients are concerned. The first major difference is that the Rachel swaps brisket-based corned beef for pastrami, which comes from a comparatively leaner cut of the cow.

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