Easy Reuben Bake Recipe - Cheesy, Delicious Dinner

Are you in need of a cheesy, homey, tasty meal? Then this Easy Reuben Bake Recipe will provide you with all you adore about this traditional deli sandwich with stacks of corned beef, sour sauerkraut, creamy dressing, sandwiched melted Swiss cheese covered in a single place that becomes hot and bubbly. It is perfect for a family dinner, a potluck party, or just because you desire something warm and comforting. We will be taking things slow by outlining how to follow up on a simpler twist on the original notion of a deli Reuben sandwich later this year, in 2025.
What is a Reuben Bake?
A Reuben Bake is the baked casserole approach, replacing the conventional Reuben sandwich.
A Reuben Bake consists of:
- Rye bread (or sub)
- Corned beef
- Swiss cheese
- Sauerkraut
- Russian or Thousand Island dressings
- It is baked like a lasagna but has elements of a sandwich.
- A Reuben Bake is a creative way to repeat the distinctive flavors of a deli with no mess to chop and layer into your meal, and it is so much cheesier.
Main Ingredients For Reuben Bake Recipe
The main ingredients you’ll need are:
- 8 slices of rye bread or marble rye
- 1 lb sliced corned beef (or pastrami)
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup sauerkraut (drained)
- 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter (optional for greasing)

Optional Additions:
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional) (to create the flavor of traditional rye)
- Little pieces of pickle (as garnish)
- Parsley (in bits) (to color)
Preliminary Work Prior to Your Layer
- Lightly toast the bread: This will make sure they do not get soggy during baking.
- Squeezed-out sauerkraut turns into soup.
- Cut the corned beef into bite-sized pieces; this will make layering easier.
- Add the eggs and milk together by using a mixer, then pour the custard base that binds everything together.
Reuben Bake: How It Is Prepared
This is done in stages as follows:
- Butter or spray butter in a 9×13 baking dish.
- On the bottom, place slim slices of rye bread, cut to fit (layer 4).
- Spread cut-up corned beef on bread.
- Squirt sauerkraut over the layer of beef.
- When it comes to dressing the top, drizzle it with dressing.
- Then add 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese.
- Put on bread, meat, kraut, dressing, cheese, and a second layer.
- Pour the egg-milk mixture all over the cake.
- Add the final cheese and optional caraway and cook.

Baking directions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wrap and put in the oven to bake for 30 minutes.
- Discover and bake another 10-15 mins until brown and bubbly.
- Wait 5-10 minutes before cutting it.
What to serve with a Reuben Bake
This dish is very hearty and savory; hence, a light or an acidic drink will complement the meal.
- Vinaigrette green salad
- Dill pickles
- Coleslaw
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Crispy sweet potato fries or cheeseburger bombs

Substitutions Ingredients
Can not find something or prefer modification?
- No breed of rye? Take sourdough or pumpernickel.
- Not a Swiss cheese? Provolone or mozzarella.
- No thousand islands? Try dressing in Russian or your mix of mayo, ketchup and relish.
- Vegetarian? Substitute corned beef with mushrooms, grilled or seitan.
Advanced Preparation and Freezing Ideas
Make-ahead instructions:
- Put it together and allow it to spoil in a refrigerator all night.
- Bake when referred directly into the refrigerator (add 10 minutes).
Variations on classic Reuben bake
In the mood to diversify?
Homemade Reuben
- Homemade Reuben bake sliders: Mini slider buns will replace a bread slice.
- Put in the layer of a casserole and sprinkle melted butter + sesame seeds.
Reuben Bake Open-Faced
Add fewer layers of bread to achieve fewer carbs and less time on baking.
Reuben Bake Breakfast
- Add onions prepared and fried and scrambled eggs.
- Serve hollandaise rather than dressing.
Keto or Low-Carb Version
- Forget the bread and pile all of it in a crustless casserole.
- Opt for cheese and dressing that come under keto.
The Reuben: Irish-American Began
- Although the Reuben sandwich has a deli origin, it is associated with Irish-American food.
- It became popular in the delis of New York and Omaha, Nebraska.
- The original variety is prepared using corned beef- it is a popular Irish-American St. Patrick’s Day food.
It can be called a piece of perfect comfort food with a history rooted in American cuisine.
How to make it Foolproof
- Bread must always be dried or toasted.
- To get the best results, use full-fat cheese and dressing.
- Drain the sauerkraut well; mushy casseroles are out of the question.
- Put on a foil tent in the middle to prevent the cheese from being browned easily.
Why This Reuben Bake Is Perfect for Busy Weeknights
- Adjustable to the taste and diet restrictions
- Keep it in the freezer when you are ready to eat it.
- Warm, decadent and special, it makes a crowd-pleaser of any case when you are entertaining or it is just Tuesday night and you want a little fun.
Healthier & lighter Reuben Bake Alternatives
Want to have a Reuben Bake and not have an overdose? Make lighter substitutions with these:
- Whole Grain or Sprouted Bread: Fiber-rich and keeps the glycemic effect at bay.
- Turkey or Chicken Corned Meat: It reduces fat but retains the flavour.
- Greek yogurt dressing: Dill, mustard, and relish in plain Greek yogurt as a less caloric replacement for Thousand Island.
- Added Veggies-Add some spinach or bell peppers (chopped) or onions, which were sautéed and layered on top of the kraut.
- Portion control: Bake on muffin tins in a one-portion size with less bread per bite.
Combination Drinks with Reuben Bake
compensate for the rich and tart flavors by including passengers:
Beer:
- IBeer makes it more tasty as richness is pierced by Pilsner, lager or a brown ale. The amber ales or bock beers bring out the flavors of umami.
Wine:
- Light-colored as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Pale pink, such as Pinot Noir or Gamay (Beaujolais).
Nonalcoholic options:
- Fizzy water and lemon/lime.
- Kombucha or iced tea in order to counteract richness.
- Fancy sparkling apple cider or a Royal Flush drink.

Things You Will Want to Buy in the Kitchen
Aid in prep and baking using these convenient items:
- baking dish (9 x 13 or 2 8 x 8 in smaller households)
- Chopping Board and Chef’s Knife
- Whisk and mixing bowl & Whisk Cheese grater (blocks melt better than pre-shredded)
- Measuring cup and spatula made with silicone
- Aluminum foil as a cover for bake
- Servers’ spatula to leave pieces vulnerable
Tips & Tricks
Soggy bread?
- Use bread that is stale or toasted- less liquid is absorbed into it.
Custard did not go?
- Cook sufficiently; internal temperature ~165°F.
Too dark at the edges, pale at the center?
- Turn the pan after half of the baking process to cook uniformly.
Flavor flat?
- Correct the salt, add some Dijon mustard to the dressing, or add caraway/dill.
Final Thoughts
Easy Reuben Bake is not a comfort food alone but, instead, it is made to please occasions. It consumes all the sour, cheesy, crunchy tastes of a conventional Reuben sandwich yet does it in one dish. A dinner that really hits the spot and seems to vanish at the same time. Give it a go once, and it might end up being a new fav that you replace an oldie with!
FAQs
Is Reuben Bake freezeable?
Yes, bake and let it cool, and then freeze it in slices.
Which type of bread is best?
Rye renders well, but sourdough is also an option or even baguette slices.
What's the refrigerate shelf life of Reuben?
Up to 4 days airtight.