Description
Reuben Bake blends classic deli flavors into a comforting casserole that celebrates hearty Midwestern cuisine. Layers of tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese create a satisfying dish you can enjoy straight from the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) corned beef, thinly sliced or shredded
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded Swiss cheese
- ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
Bread and Pastry:
- 1 tube (8 oz / 225 g) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry
Vegetables and Condiments:
- 2 cups (300 g) sauerkraut, drained and patted dry
- 1 cup (240 ml) Thousand Island dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the baking canvas by warming the oven to 375F (190C) and generously coating a 9×13-inch dish with protective grease.
- Carefully unfurl the crescent dough, gently pressing it into a uniform foundation across the dish’s surface, meticulously sealing any visible perforations to create a cohesive base.
- Lavish the first layer of Thousand Island dressing across the dough, creating a tangy undercoat for the subsequent ingredients.
- Distribute the corned beef in an even, generous blanket, ensuring complete coverage of the dressing-lined foundation.
- Delicately scatter well-drained sauerkraut over the meat, strategically preventing moisture accumulation that might compromise the dish’s structural integrity.
- Cascade Swiss cheese across the sauerkraut landscape, creating a molten potential for flavor and texture.
- Drizzle the remaining Thousand Island dressing as a crowning element, enhancing the flavor profile and moisture.
- Carefully layer the second crescent dough sheet atop the assembled ingredients, crimping the edges with precision to create a sealed culinary envelope.
- Enhance the exterior by brushing with melted butter and optionally sprinkling caraway seeds for an aromatic dimension.
- Slide the assembled creation into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the surface achieves a golden, crispy complexion.
- Extract from the oven and permit a brief resting period of 5-10 minutes to stabilize the internal structure.
- Slice into neat squares and serve warmly, accompanied by additional Thousand Island dressing for those desiring extra indulgence.
Notes
- Drain sauerkraut thoroughly to prevent a soggy bottom layer and ensure crisp, flaky pastry texture.
- Choose high-quality corned beef from a deli counter for more authentic, rich flavor compared to packaged meats.
- Substitute crescent roll dough with puff pastry for a lighter, more delicate crust that adds elegance to the dish.
- Customize for dietary needs by using gluten-free crescent roll dough, low-fat Swiss cheese, or plant-based corned beef alternative for vegetarian guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg