Name: Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe
Prep time: 20 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); 4 cups shredded Swiss cheese (divided use); 14.5 ounce can or jar sauerkraut, drained very well; 1 cup chopped dill pickles; 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (divided use); 1 cup milk; 3 large eggs, beaten; 1/3 cup thousand island dressing; 1/4 cup yellow mustard

If you love a good deli classic, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe. It’s like biting into a traditional Reuben sandwich — but in a comforting, cheesy casserole form that’s perfect for gathering friends or feeding a crowd.

A slice of layered casserole sits on a white plate against a white marbled surface. The dish has about five layers: a light golden brown crumb crust at the bottom, followed by a thin layer of pink ham, a thick creamy layer with light yellow cheese and white cabbage or sauerkraut mixed in, another layer of pink ham, and the top covered with melted yellow cheese and a crunchy light brown crumb topping. The layers are uneven but clearly visible, showing a mix of soft and crunchy textures. In the background, there is another plate with more casserole, blurred softly. The lighting is warm and natural, highlighting the textures and colors clearly. 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 with Pastrami Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely obsessed with how all those classic Reuben flavors—pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and tangy dressing—come together in one baked casserole that’s crispy on top yet tender inside. It’s a total crowd-pleaser every time.

Easy to Share: Serves up to 12, making it ideal for family dinners or potlucks.
Layered Flavors: Every bite delivers the signature combo of savory pastrami and tangy sauerkraut.
Crispy & Comforting: Rye breadcrumbs top it off with a perfect crunch after baking.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and bake when you’re ready to serve.

Ingredients & Why They Work

To build this casserole, I stick with classic Reuben ingredients you can find in most grocery stores—just be sure your sauerkraut is well-drained to keep everything from getting soggy. And whether you go for dark or light rye bread, both work beautifully here.

Flat lay of six slices of fresh rye bread, a small pile of thinly sliced pastrami, a mound of well-drained sauerkraut, a generous heap of shredded Swiss cheese, a small bowl of chopped dill pickles, a few scattered caraway seeds, a small white bowl of milk, three whole uncracked eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with thousand island dressing, a small white bowl of yellow mustard, 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 backbone of that iconic Reuben flavor, plus it crisps up wonderfully when baked.
Pastrami or corned beef: Thinly sliced for layering—go with pastrami if you want that smoky, spicy kick.
Swiss cheese: Melts perfectly to create gooey, flavorful layers.
Sauerkraut: Drained thoroughly to add zing without sogginess.
Dill pickles: Bring crunch and acidity to balance richness.
Caraway seeds: Classic Reuben spice that brightens the dish.
Milk and eggs: Whisked into the custard mixture to give the casserole a creamy, set texture.
Thousand Island dressing: Adds tangy sweetness—the essential Reuben sauce.
Yellow mustard: Mixes with the dressing to punch up the tang.

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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

The beautiful thing about this Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to tweak the layers, swap ingredients, or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste buds or dietary needs.

Vegetarian version: Swap the pastrami with thickly sliced smoked tempeh or a smoky mushroom mix for a satisfying meatless twist. I tried smoked tofu once, and it gave the casserole a great depth of flavor without losing the classic vibe.
Corned beef swap: If pastrami isn’t your favorite, corned beef works just as well and brings a slightly different but equally delicious flavor. I often use corned beef when I want a bit more saltiness and tenderness.
Extra tang: Boost the sauerkraut’s tang by adding a spoonful of pickle juice or a dash of apple cider vinegar. I personally love the zing this adds, cutting through the richness perfectly.
Crispier topping: For a golden, crunchy crust, uncover the casserole during the last 5–10 minutes of baking. It gives that lovely contrast between the soft layers and crisp top that everyone raves about.
Make ahead: Assemble the casserole the day before, keep it covered in the fridge, then bake it fresh. It’s a great way to prepare for busy gatherings without the stress.

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

A close-up of a multi-layered sandwich casserole on a white plate showing several layers: the base layer consists of thinly sliced pink deli meat, topped with a layer of shredded white cabbage or sauerkraut, followed by more slices of pink deli meat, another shredded cabbage layer, and a thick melted yellow cheese layer on top sprinkled with light brown crispy crumbs. A woman's hand is holding a silver fork with a bite-size piece of this layered casserole, clearly showing the layers' textures and colors. In the background, there is a clear glass of amber iced tea with lemon slices and another plate with more casserole pieces, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep your baking dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it warms up, grab an 11x7 inch or 9x13 inch baking dish and give it a good spritz with nonstick cooking spray. This simple step ensures your casserole won’t stick and makes clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Cube the rye bread

Take 4 of your rye bread slices and cut them into 2-inch cubes. Spread these evenly across the bottom of your prepared dish. The bread cubes will soak up all those delicious juices and custard, becoming luxuriously flavorful once baked.

Step 3: Make your breadcrumbs

Pop the remaining 2 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 to your casserole later.

Step 4: Layer the first half of the casserole

Evenly cover the bread cubes with half of the pastrami. On top of that, spread your well-drained sauerkraut, then sprinkle with chopped dill pickles and 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds. Finally, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese over this tangy, savory layer.

Step 5: Add the second layer and season

Top the cheese with the remaining pastrami, gently pressing it down to help compact the layers. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of Swiss cheese and the last teaspoon of caraway seeds evenly over the pastrami. The layers are starting to come together beautifully!

Step 6: Whisk up the custard mixture and pour

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup milk, 3 large beaten eggs, ⅓ cup thousand island dressing, and ¼ cup yellow mustard until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered casserole, allowing it to seep into every nook and cranny.

Step 7: Top with breadcrumbs and bake

Finally, sprinkle the rye breadcrumbs evenly over the top for that perfect crunchy crust. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350°F. Your kitchen will fill with the most wonderful aroma while the casserole cooks to melty, bubbly perfection.

Step 8: Rest, slice, and serve

When the timer goes off, pull the casserole from the oven and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows it to set up just enough to slice cleanly. Then grab a spatula, serve generous portions, and watch everyone enjoy this comforting classic reinvented!

Top Tip

Getting that perfect balance of flavors and textures in your Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe can be a game changer. Here are some helpful tips I've learned that really elevate this dish!

Drain the Sauerkraut Thoroughly: Avoid a soggy casserole by pressing out as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before layering it in. I like to wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze gently.
Use Rye Bread Breadcrumbs: >Turning two slices of rye bread into fine breadcrumbs adds not only crispness on top but also enhances the rye flavor — a nice little twist I discovered after a few tries.
Layer with Intention: Pressing down gently on the layers before adding the custard mixture helps everything hold together when you slice it. It also helps compact the pastrami and cheese pockets deliciously.
Uncover for the Last 5-10 Minutes: >For an extra crispy and golden breadcrumb topping, remove the foil near the end of baking. It’s a simple trick that makes a big difference!

How to Serve Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe

A rectangular glass baking dish filled with a layered casserole is shown from above. The bottom layer has visible red bits, likely tomato or sauce, followed by a layer of green sliced peppers, then a thick layer of shredded pale yellow cheese covering the top. The layers are clearly distinct through the glass sides. The whole dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a fresh pop of color and extra zing, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top right before serving. A few extra dill pickle slices on the side add a perfect tangy contrast to the rich casserole. If you love spicy, even a light drizzle of hot mustard can brighten each bite.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs wonderfully with crisp, refreshing sides. Consider a simple garden salad with a lemon vinaigrette, some crunchy coleslaw, or roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. For a heartier meal, creamy potato salad or classic French fries make a satisfying match.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining good flavor and texture when properly covered.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! To freeze, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then with foil or place portions in freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat your casserole in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 20–25 minutes. To keep the topping crispy, heat it uncovered during the last 5–10 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for quick reheats, but the oven will preserve the texture best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute corned beef for pastrami in this casserole?

Absolutely! Using corned beef instead of pastrami works perfectly in this Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe. It just offers a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.

How important is draining the sauerkraut?

Very important! If the sauerkraut isn’t drained well, the casserole can become soggy. To avoid this, drain thoroughly and even press out extra moisture before layering.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

How can I get the topping extra crispy?

Remove the foil in the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking to let the rye breadcrumbs on top brown and crisp up nicely.

Final Thoughts

The Crispy Reuben Casserole with Pastrami Recipe is such a comforting and hearty dish that brings all the beloved flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich into one warm, cheesy, and satisfying meal. Whether you’re feeding family or entertaining friends, this casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and full of delicious layers. I hope these tips and serving suggestions help make your cooking experience even more enjoyable — happy baking!