This Reuben casserole has all the flavors of your favorite Reuben sandwich in a casserole. Layers of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and bow tie noodles make this Reuben delicious.
A clever twist on the traditional deli Reuben Sandwich. Turn it into a casserole and feed a crowd.
Classic Reuben Sandwich in a Baked Dish
My husband’s favorite sandwich is a classic Reuben. This casserole satisfies his craving while also satisfying his low carb lifestyle. If you are looking for a yummy weeknight meal and a fun spin on the classic Reuben, this is the casserole for you to try!
What is in a Reuben Sandwich?
A traditional Reuben sandwich consists of caraway rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian, or thousand island, dressing. It has a myriad of flavors, but they all pair so well. Especially when it is fresh, grilled, and hot!
Butter the bread and grill this in a pan for a toasty and delicious crunchy outside and a hot and melty inside. Think of an ooey gooey grilled ham and cheese with a tangy twist!
If you have never had a Reuben sandwich, I urge you to give it a try.
What Meat goes on a Reuben Sandwich?
The traditional Reuben has corned beef. What is corned beef you may ask? Corned beef is simply salt-cured beef, typically brisket. The “corn” part of the term comes from the salt rocks that were called “corns” of salt.
Thousand Island Dressing vs Russian Dressing
Russian dressing is the traditionally used dressing for this recipe; however, in recent years it has been interchangeable with thousand island dressing. They are quite similar.
The main difference between thousand island dressing and Russian dressing is the use of pickles in thousand island and the use of chili sauce in Russian dressing.
Further, thousand island dressing is then slightly sweeter while Russian dressing is usually spicier.
Caraway Seeds for Reuben
Why use caraway seeds in this recipe? They are often found in rye bread. They have a very earthy, pungent flavor. The original use of caraway seeds in rye bread was for its anti-flatulence properties because of the high fiber content of the rye bread. However, now it is so iconic of a pairing it is hard to leave out the caraway seeds in your rye bread recipes.
That is why it is important to include them in this casserole for the most robust, Reuben flavoring possible.
Why Make your Favorite Sandwich into a Casserole?
Making your favorite sandwich into a casserole can be a fun way to change things up. However, it can also help you when you are trying to create a healthier lifestyle. For this Reuben casserole, I chose to use a bit of protein pasta as my base, which ends up being fewer net carbs per serving than using traditional rye bread, without skimping on flavor. Serve it with a salad and you have a full meal!
How to Make a Reuben Casserole
This corned beef and sauerkraut casserole is an easy dinner to serve any night of the week. It just takes a few minutes of prep and 30 minutes to bake. Dinner is ready in well under an hour and the best part is you have 30 minutes to do something else while this is baking.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
- Pan fry the corned beef 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Drain the sauerkraut and set aside.
- In a 9 X 13-inch baking pan, layer cooked pasta, corned beef, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing. Sprinkle on the caraway seeds. Top with the Swiss cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly.
Variation to this Recipe
Pasta versus Bread. If you prefer the taste of the rye bread, go ahead, and replace the first layer of pasta with a layer of rye bread.
Types of pasta for this recipe. Today I used a protein-based bow tie pasta for fewer carbohydrates. Here are a few ideas of pasta for you to try in this recipe farfalle, elbow macaroni, egg noodles, and gemelli would all work well with this recipe.
Keto Pasta. There are a variety of pastas that use rice and lentils as their base work well in this recipe.
Desserts that Work Well with this Recipe
No-Bake Blueberry Delight. A quick and easy dessert that just takes minutes to assemble.
Glazed Cherry Butter Cake. A can of pie filling and a few other ingredients and you have a winning dessert.
Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce. A classic dessert that can be eaten as a brunch favorite or enjoyed as a dessert. Pure comfort food with this recipe and a great way to use stale bread too.
St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Casserole
For your next gathering try this easy and scrumptious recipe on your guests. If they are like my family, they will return for seconds and blame you for making them eat too much!
This is an easy recipe that is perfect for your next potluck.
Enjoy this recipe year-round, no need to wait for the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday to make this delicious meal.
If you love corned beef recipes, there are a few delicious options on All Free Casserole Recipes. Did you know that I share some of my recipes here too? You should check them out.
Reuben Casserole
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Bowtie Pasta Dried, cooked
- 2 Cups Corned Beef Sliced Thin and Diced
- 2 Cups Sauerkraut Drained
- 1 Tablespoon Caraway Seeds
- 6 Tablespoons Thousand Island Salad Dressing
- 2 Cups Swiss Cheese Shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain.1 ½ Cups Bowtie Pasta
- Pan fry the corned beef 5 minutes stirring occasionally.2 Cups Corned Beef
- Drain the sauerkraut and set aside.2 Cups Sauerkraut
- In a 9 X 13-inch baking pan, layer cooked pasta, corned beef, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing. Sprinkle on the caraway seeds. Top with the Swiss cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly.1 Tablespoon Caraway Seeds, 6 Tablespoons Thousand Island Salad Dressing, 2 Cups Swiss Cheese
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
There is a Short Video on This Recipe
How to Store Leftovers
This will store in the refrigerator in and airtight container for up to 5 days.How to Reheat the Leftovers
I find that if I want the casserole to be just as good as it was the first day, it is best to reheat in the oven at 375 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes. Until hot and bubbly. However, this can be microwaved for 1-2 minutes for a quick reheat.Nutrition
History of the Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben was actually a sandwich created in the Midwest at the Blackstone Hotel in the 1920’s. The Reuben ingredients uses rye bread, corned beef (or you could get chicken), sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and Switzerland cheese. The sandwich was pressed by spatula in a frying pan to get everything cooked through and for perfect, melty cheese.
Here are a few other delicious recipes for you to try.
