If you’re looking for a convenient, versatile, and delicious dish, casseroles should be at the top of your list. From hearty chicken bakes to cheesy pasta dishes, there are so many delicious options that you’re sure to find something to suit your taste. They’re also a great way to use up leftover pantry ingredients, a perfect addition to a potluck or party, and a smart way to sneak some vegetables into your kids’ dinner.
Save this Leftover Turkey Casserole for after Thanksgiving!
But our favorite thing about casseroles may be their convenience. Once prepared, they taste just as good reheated the next day, and you can prepare them in advance and freeze them, so you’ve got a homemade dinner ready to pop in the oven on those busy weeknights when you don’t have time to cook.
When it comes time to dig into your tasty leftovers, you’ll want to make sure that you follow a few simple instructions for reheating a casserole in the oven. Depending on the type of casserole, your reheating times and methods will vary slightly, so we’ve compiled this easy guide with plenty of tips and tricks. Read on for the best reheating process to ensure that your leftover casserole always tastes freshly baked.
Table of Contents
Steps to Reheat a Casserole in the Oven
Try this simple reheating method.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Make sure the whole casserole is in an oven safe dish, remove any plastic wrap, and cover with aluminum foil.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through.
- The easiest way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. If the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, it’s ready to go. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can insert a fork into the center and check to see if it’s hot after you remove it.
Tips and Tricks
The key to making your reheated casserole taste just as good reheated as it did right out of the oven is making sure not to overcook the dish, so you can avoid moisture loss. Be sure to follow these tips to get a moist and perfectly cooked casserole.
- Always be sure that the oven has preheated to the desired temperature before beginning. This will help ensure that the casserole is heated evenly throughout.
- Add a small amount of water or chicken broth to your casserole dish before putting it in the oven. This is a great way to ensure that your dish stays moist and delicious.
- If you have time, it’s best to let the casserole come to room temperature before placing it in the oven. A refrigerated casserole will require longer baking times, increasing the likelihood that it will dry out.
- Cover the top of the dish with aluminum foil or a lid. This will not only retain moisture, but it will also help prevent the top of the casserole from burning while the bottom layers are heating up.
- To make sure you don’t accidentally overcook the casserole, be sure to check it frequently and remove it from the oven as soon as it’s heated through. Most casseroles will take about 30 minutes to reheat, but the exact cooking time will depend on the starting temperature and the type of casserole.
- If reheating individual servings that are already cut into small portions, you’ll most likely need to reduce your heating time.
- Watch the edges of the casserole because they will cook faster than the inside.
Tips for Toppings
Casseroles come topped with all sorts of delicious things like breadcrumbs, potato chips, melted cheese, and even tater tots! One of the keys to having a delicious reheated casserole is to make sure that the toppings have the same great texture as they did when you first prepared the dish. Here are a few tips for getting your toppings just right.
- Remove the Cover at the End – If your casserole has a crispy topping, you’ll want to keep it covered with foil during most of the heating process. Otherwise the top may burn before the bottom of the casserole is heated. But for best results, you’ll want to remove the foil for the last few minutes to help the toppings crisp up.
- Use Non-stick Cooking Spray – This tip works best for cheese-topped casseroles, as it’s an easy way to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.
- Use the Broiler – Once your casserole is hot throughout, you can place it under the broiler for just a minute or two to help your toppings get crispy, or to get a perfect golden brown crust on the cheese. Be careful though – you’ll need to keep a constant eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
- Add More Toppings – This is a great tip whether your casserole is topped with cheese or something crispy like breadcrumbs. Adding additional toppings or cheese after you remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking is the best way to get that freshly baked taste.
The Shortcut for Reheating a Casserole in a Hurry
The oven method is really the best way to reheat a casserole to ensure that the taste and texture are just as good as when you first made it, but the process can take a while. If you’re looking for a way to get the same great taste in less time, try starting the reheating process in the microwave.
- Place the entire casserole in a microwave-safe dish and put a damp paper towel on top (this helps to retain moisture).
- Set your microwave to 50% power, then heat the casserole until moderately warm.
- Transfer it to an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil, and place in a hot oven until it’s completely warmed up.
Reheating from Frozen
For best results when reheating a frozen casserole, you’ll want to allow ample time, as it should thaw in the refrigerator overnight first. If you need to thaw it more quickly, you can also use the defrost setting on your microwave oven. Once the casserole is defrosted, you can follow the same steps for reheating a room temperature casserole.
If you follow these easy tips, you can enjoy a delicious and hearty casserole any time, and you may even start looking forward to your leftovers! If you’re inspired to put a few new casseroles in your family’s dinner rotation, I’ve got plenty of easy and delicious options.
Single Portion
If you only need smaller pieces are are only reheating a single portion of a casserole, follow these steps:
preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
If you like meat casseroles, try this crowd-pleasing Chicken and Rice Casserole or this easy Hamburger Casserole. If you’re in the mood for pasta, you’ll love this Easy Baked Mac and Cheese or this Classic Italian Lasagna. And in case you don’t want to wait until dinner to have all the fun, you can make this Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole for a hearty and delicious morning meal.
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