Name: Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 slices rye bread (dark or light) (divided use); 1 pound thinly sliced pastrami or corned beef (divided use); 14.5 ounce can or jar sauerkraut, drained very well; 1 cup chopped dill pickles; 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (divided use); 4 cups shredded Swiss cheese (divided use); 1 cup milk; 3 large eggs, beaten; ⅓ cup thousand island dressing; ¼ cup yellow mustard

There’s nothing quite like the hearty, tangy flavors of a classic Reuben, but what if I told you we could turn that beloved sandwich into a crowd-pleasing baked masterpiece? This Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe layers rye bread, pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a zesty special sauce for an ooey-gooey, savory dish you’ll want to make again and again.

The image shows a thick slice of layered casserole served on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a firm, textured crust, light beige in color. Above the crust are several layers of thin, pink slices resembling ham, interspersed with creamy, pale yellow cheese that looks melted. Mixed into the cheese are bits of light green pickles and shreds of white cabbage or sauerkraut. The top layer is smooth, golden yellow melted cheese covered with a crumbly, light brown topping. The overall texture looks soft with a crunchy crust and topping, and the layers are distinct and well packed together. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this Crispy Reuben Casserole on a chilly weekend when I wanted that classic deli sandwich flavor but with a little extra comfort and the ability to feed a whole crew. The layers soak up all those tangy, cheesy, and savory flavors into one unforgettable bite!

Delectably Layered: Every forkful offers layers of rye bread, pastrami, sauerkraut, and melty Swiss, building classic Reuben flavor in every bite.
Perfect for a Crowd: This casserole serves 12, making it ideal for family dinners or your next gathering without fussing over individual sandwiches.
Easy Prep: With simple steps and basic ingredients, it’s a do-ahead dish that even busy home cooks will appreciate.
Customizable: Swap out pastrami for corned beef or add your favorite pickles — it’s flexible to fit your taste preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dig in, let me share the magic behind this recipe’s ingredients. Look for good-quality rye bread—dark or light works—since it acts as the base and crunch top. Drain that sauerkraut really well so the casserole keeps its structure (nobody wants soggy!). Fresh pastrami or corned beef brings that cured deli flavor, while Swiss cheese melts beautifully and keeps everything gooey and rich.

Flat lay of six slices of fresh rye bread, a pile of thinly sliced pink pastrami, a small mound of well-drained sauerkraut, a heap of shredded Swiss cheese with a pale yellow color, a small white ceramic bowl filled with chopped dill pickles, another small white bowl holding whole caraway seeds, a small white bowl with creamy thousand island dressing, a small white bowl containing smooth yellow mustard, a small white bowl with fresh whole uncracked brown eggs, and a small white bowl of fresh milk — all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Rye bread: The foundation of this casserole, it brings classic Reuben flavor and crunchy texture when toasted into breadcrumbs.
Pastrami or corned beef: Thinly sliced for layering, they add meaty, flavorful goodness.
Sauerkraut: Adds that signature tang — just be sure to drain it very well to keep the casserole from getting watery.
Dill pickles: Chopped for a fresh crunch and bright acidity.
Caraway seeds: Subtle spice that’s traditional in rye recipes; they add an extra layer of flavor.
Swiss cheese: Melts perfectly, providing gooey, nutty richness throughout.
Milk: Helps create a smooth custard base with the eggs.
Eggs: Bind all the layers together as the casserole bakes.
Thousand island dressing: Brings that classic, tangy sauce flavor you love from a Reuben.
Yellow mustard: Adds a little zip and balances the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about the Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your own tastes and dietary needs. Whether you want to spice it up, lighten it, or make it completely gluten-free, there’s a way to make this dish your own.

Switch Up the Meat: I love using pastrami for its smoky and flavorful profile, but sometimes I swap in corned beef for a slightly different twist that still delivers that classic Reuben vibe.
Make It Gluten-Free: I’ve had great success using gluten-free rye bread and double-checking the sauerkraut and condiments for gluten-free labels to keep the flavors intact without the gluten.
More Veg, Please: For extra crunch and freshness, I’ve added chopped green onions or even shredded cabbage on top of the sauerkraut layer — it gives a nice texture and brightens the dish.
Kick Up the Sauce: If you like a little extra zing, I sometimes add a dash of horseradish to the thousand island dressing mix before pouring it over the casserole. Just the right amount of heat!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe

A white plate holds a multi-layered sandwich with visible layers of thin pink meat, white shredded cabbage or sauerkraut, and a yellow sauce or melted cheese on top. The sandwich is crumbly and has crushed topping scattered over it, adding texture. The inside layers show a mix of colors: pink meat stacked with white shredded filling and the sauce flows slightly out from the sides. A fork lifting a bite-sized piece of the sandwich is in focus, showing the same layers clearly. The background has a glass with light brown iced tea and blurred parts of the sandwich on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab an 11×7-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a good spray with nonstick cooking spray. Using a bigger dish will mean a thinner casserole, so pick what suits your crowd!

Step 2: Cube the Bread and Spread the Base

Take four slices of rye bread and cut them into 2-inch cubes. Spread these cubes evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This forms the hearty foundation that soaks up all the tasty layers to come.

Step 3: Make Your Fresh Rye Breadcrumbs

Now, place the remaining two slices of rye bread into a food processor and pulse until you have fine breadcrumbs. Set these aside – they’ll add a wonderful crispy topping after baking.

Step 4: Layer on the Pastrami

Cover the cubed bread evenly with half of the thinly sliced pastrami. This smoky, savory layer is key to that iconic Reuben flavor, so spread it out evenly for every bite to shine.

Step 5: Add Your Tangy Toppings

Next, spread the drained sauerkraut evenly over the pastrami. Sprinkle the chopped dill pickles and 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds on top. The sauerkraut needs to be very well drained here — too much liquid will make the casserole soggy, and we definitely don’t want that!

Step 6: First Cheese Layer

Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese over the sauerkraut layer. This gooey, melty cheese adds richness and creaminess to balance the tangy sauerkraut and zesty pickles.

Step 7: Layer the Remaining Pastrami and Cheese

Add the rest of the pastrami on top of the cheese layer, then gently press down on the layers to compact them slightly—this helps the casserole hold its shape once baked. Next, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese and the last teaspoon of caraway seeds evenly on top.

Step 8: Whisk and Pour the Special Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of milk, 3 beaten large eggs, ⅓ cup thousand island dressing, and ¼ cup yellow mustard until smooth. Pour this flavorful mixture evenly over the entire layered casserole, letting it soak in and bring everything together.

Step 9: Top with Crispy Breadcrumbs and Bake

Sprinkle the reserved rye breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the baking dish with foil to lock in moisture and bake for 45 minutes until heated through and set.

Step 10: Rest, Slice, and Serve

Once out of the oven, let your casserole rest for 5 minutes. This little pause helps it firm up for clean slicing. Serve warm and enjoy the crispy, melty, tangy magic of this crowd-pleasing comfort food.

Top Tip

Making the perfect Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe is all about layering flavors and textures just right. These tips come from my kitchen experiments to help you get it just right every time.

Drain Sauerkraut Well: I learned the hard way that excess moisture from sauerkraut can make the casserole soggy. Be sure to drain it very thoroughly before adding it in.
Press Down Layers: Gently pressing down the layers before pouring the sauce helps the casserole hold together beautifully after baking, making slicing so much easier.
Use Fresh Rye Bread: For that irresistible buttery crust and crumb, fresh rye bread cut into cubes works better than day-old. It soaks up the custard sauce perfectly without turning mushy.
Make Breadcrumb Topping: Don’t skip pulsing the last two slices of rye bread into fine breadcrumbs—they add a lovely, crispy crunch on top that takes the dish to the next level.

How to Serve Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe

A clear rectangular glass dish sits on a white marbled surface. Inside, the dish shows multiple layers: the bottom is a red sauce layer visible through the sides, topped with a textured mixture of light-colored ingredients and scattered green pepper rings. The whole top is thickly covered with pale yellow shredded cheese, unevenly spread but covering the entire surface. The dish is neat and ready for baking, with the cheese layer being the thickest and most prominent. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To brighten up each serving, try garnish options like a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color. A few extra dill pickle slices on the side elevate the tangy flavors beautifully. And if you want a little heat, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes makes a nice contrast.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs wonderfully with crisp sides like a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or roasted vegetables such as asparagus or Brussels sprouts. For a heartier meal, classic coleslaw or kettle-cooked chips add crunch and balance the richness of the dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (and I hope you do!), cover them tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making for an even more satisfying next-day meal.

Freezing

You can freeze your Crispy Reuben Casserole before baking—just assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

Reheating

To reheat, place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. This keeps the casserole moist and the cheese melty without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use corned beef instead of pastrami in this casserole?

Absolutely! Corned beef is a delicious alternative and will give your Crispy Reuben Casserole a slightly different but equally tasty flavor.

How do I prevent the casserole from getting soggy?

The key is making sure your sauerkraut is very well drained and pressing down the layers before adding the wet mixture. These steps help keep everything crispy and cohesive.

Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

Yes! To make this casserole gluten-free, use gluten-free rye bread if you can find it and verify that all other ingredients, like the dressing and mustard, are gluten-free certified.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe yields 12 servings, perfect for sharing with family or a group of friends.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Reuben Casserole Recipe is one of those special dishes that combines comforting familiarity with convenience — all those classic sandwich flavors layered in a big, crowd-pleasing bake. Whether you're serving it up for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, it feels like a warm, delicious hug on a plate. Enjoy every cheesy, tangy bite!