Reuben Casserole For Two – A Great Leftover Corned Beef Recipe!

If you are looking for a way to use leftover corned beef, or if you are simply looking for delicious dinner recipe you are going to love this Reuben Casserole. All the ingredients that make up a classic Reuben sandwich mixed together into an easy to make meal.

To make the casserole you start by tearing or cutting rye bread into bite size pieces. Then place most of the bread in the bottom of a baking dish.

Next, you’ll add a layer of diced corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, followed by a layer of Swiss cheese. Then add the remaining corned beef and bread cubes.

Cover the dish and let it bake until hot and bubbly. Before the casserole comes out of the oven sprinkle more Swiss cheese on top and let it bake until the cheese melts.

The result is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the classic flavors of a Reuben Sandwich in a new and delicious way. Of course you can add other ingredients as well such as potatoes, onions, or mushrooms to the casserole to make it even more exciting.

Why You Will Love This Reuben Casserole Recipe

Delicious Flavor: The combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing is a classic flavor profile that many people love. However this time instead of eating it as a sandwich, it is made into an easy to make casserole.

Easy To Make: This recipe doesn’t require a lot of prep work or complicated cooking techniques. Simply layer the ingredients and place the casserole in the oven. It is a great meal option for busy weeknights or for those who are novice cooks.

Leftover Recipe: Reuben casserole is a great recipe when you are looking for a way to use leftover corned beef. However it is also a great leftover recipe on its own that reheats well the next day.

Feeds A Few or Many: This casserole recipe is a great option when you are making a meal for two. However you can also easily increase the amount of the ingredients and layer them in a large baking dish to serve several people.

Versatile: Reuben casserole can be customized to suit different tastes and dietary requirements. For instance you can use different types of meat, such as pastrami or turkey instead of corned beef. However, you may consider renaming the dish to a Rachel Casserole.

Rueben vs. Rachel

The main difference between a Reuben and a Rachel is the type of meat used. A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef, while a Rachel sandwich is made with pastrami and/or turkey.

However both sandwiches are typically made with rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. However, some variations of the Rachel sandwich may include coleslaw instead of sauerkraut and Russian dressing instead of Thousand Island dressing.

Although the origin of the Rachel sandwich is not completely clear, but it is thought to have been created in the 20th century as a variation of the classic sandwich. The name is believed to come from a popular Broadway play “Aunt Rachel” that was playing at the time.

Corned Beef vs. Pastrami

So we all know that there is a big difference between corned beef and turkey. However, when it comes to corned beef and pastrami there is a little more confusion on the differences between the two because they both are made from a beef brisket.

Therefore I have listed some of the common differences between the two types of meat below.

1. Curing Method Used: Corned beef is cured in a wet brine solution, which typically includes water, salt, sugar, and spices. On the other hand pastrami is a beef brisket with a dry rub of spices coating the exterior and then it cooks using the smoking and steaming methods.
2. Flavor: Corned beef has a distinct salty and savory flavor from the spices used in the brine solution. Pastrami has a more complex flavor that is sweeter, smokier and spicer from the dry rub spices on the surface of the meat and the cooking process.
3. Visual Difference: Although similar in color corned beef is typically pale pink color when compared to pastrami. However pastrami can also be pink but may have a darker reddish-brown outer color due to the smoking process.
4. Texture: Because the typical cooking method of corned beef involves it being boiled, the meat is super tender and juicy. However, because pastrami is typically smoked and then steamed it results in a firm, chewy texture.

Both corned beef and pastrami can be used to make sandwiches and are interchangeable in this casserole recipe as well.

Reuben Casserole For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 1/2 cups cubed rye bread (about 5 slices)
• 3 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 cups coarsely chopped corned beef (1/2 pound)
• 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing
• 7 ounces sauerkraut, thoroughly drained
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

To make the Reuben Casserole begin by heating the oven to 400°F (220°C). Then spray a 1 1/2-2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Set the dish aside.

Add the bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Then pour the melted butter over the bread cubes and toss to coat.

Remove 1/2 cup of the bread cubes and set them aside for later use. Then place the remaining 3 cups of the cubes in the prepared baking dish.

Top the bread cubes with half of the corned beef, 1/2 of the Thousand Island dressing, the entire amount of sauerkraut, caraway seeds (if using), and 1/2 cup of the shredded Swiss cheese. Then make another layer with the remaining corned beef and the remaining bread cubes.

Bake Time Required

Cover with baking dish with foil and then place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes.

Once the 25 minutes are up remove the foil and sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded cheese. You can always add more cheese based on your preference.

Then place the dish back in the oven (without the cover) and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and casserole is warm. If you would like the cheese to brown a little, turn on the broiler.

However, be sure to watch it closely so that the cheese doesn’t burn. Remove the baking dish from the oven and serve it warm with a drizzle of additional dressing as desired.

Other Corned Beef Recipes

• Fried Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Corned Beef Hash
• Slow Cooker Reuben Dip

Enjoy! Mary

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