Reuben Casserole, a comforting and flavorful dish, brings all the classic tastes of a Reuben sandwich into an easy-to-make bake. With its savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy Thousand Island dressing, and melted Swiss cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. But what are the best side dishes to serve alongside this rich and satisfying casserole? Choosing the right accompaniments can elevate your meal, creating a balanced and delightful dining experience.
A dish of Reuben casserole.
This guide will explore a variety of side dish options that perfectly complement the Reuben Casserole, ensuring your meal is a resounding success. We’ll consider flavor profiles, textures, and occasions to help you choose the ideal pairings, making your Reuben Casserole meal truly exceptional.
Classic Side Dish Companions
When considering what to serve with Reuben Casserole, starting with classic pairings is always a safe bet. These sides are traditionally served with Reuben sandwiches and translate beautifully to a casserole context.
Fresh Green Salad
A crisp, fresh green salad is an excellent counterpoint to the richness of the Reuben Casserole. The lightness and acidity of a salad help to cut through the savory flavors of the casserole, providing a refreshing balance.
Consider these salad options:
- Simple House Salad: A basic salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing offers a clean and palate-cleansing side. A vinaigrette-based dressing is preferable as it provides acidity to contrast the creamy casserole.
- Caesar Salad: While slightly richer due to the creamy dressing, a Caesar salad can still work well. The romaine lettuce provides a crisp texture, and the Parmesan cheese can complement the Swiss in the casserole. However, go light on the dressing to maintain balance.
- Spinach Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette: Spinach offers a slightly different flavor profile and is packed with nutrients. A mustard vinaigrette would echo the Dijon mustard in the casserole, creating a harmonious flavor bridge.
House salad in a bowl.
Crisp and Garlicky Green Beans
Green beans, especially when prepared simply and crisply, provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft casserole. Roasting or sautéing green beans with garlic enhances their natural flavor and adds another layer of savory notes to the meal.
- Roasted Green Beans with Garlic: Roasting brings out the sweetness of green beans while maintaining a satisfying crispness. Garlic adds a pungent aroma and flavor that complements the Reuben’s savory profile. A squeeze of lemon juice after roasting can brighten the dish further.
- Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds: Adding slivered almonds to sautéed green beans introduces a nutty crunch and subtle flavor variation. A touch of butter and garlic in the pan elevates this simple side.
- Blistered Green Beans: High-heat cooking creates blistered green beans with slightly charred and smoky edges. This method intensifies their flavor and provides a more robust side dish.
Broccoli Salad with a Tangy Dressing
Broccoli salad, especially a version with a tangy and slightly sweet dressing, offers another excellent textural and flavor contrast. The crunch of raw broccoli, combined with a creamy yet acidic dressing, cuts through the richness of the casserole beautifully.
- Classic Broccoli Salad: A traditional broccoli salad often includes raw broccoli florets, bacon, red onion, raisins or cranberries, and a creamy dressing based on mayonnaise and vinegar or lemon juice. The sweetness and acidity are key to balancing the Reuben Casserole.
- Broccoli Slaw: A variation using broccoli slaw mix instead of florets provides an even finer texture. You can adapt the dressing to be tangier with more vinegar or lemon juice to enhance the contrast.
- Asian-Inspired Broccoli Salad: For a twist, consider a broccoli salad with an Asian-inspired dressing featuring soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. This would introduce umami and a different kind of acidity to the meal.
A plate with a slice of Reuben casserole and a salad.
Heartier Side Dishes for a Full Meal
If you’re serving Reuben Casserole as a main dinner course, you might want to consider slightly heartier side dishes to create a more substantial and satisfying meal.
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a versatile and comforting side that pairs well with many main dishes, including Reuben Casserole. Their earthy flavor and satisfying texture make them a great addition to the meal.
- Garlic Roasted Potatoes: Similar to garlic green beans, garlic roasted potatoes offer a savory and aromatic side. Herbs like rosemary or thyme can further enhance their flavor.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: For a touch of sweetness and a different nutritional profile, roasted sweet potatoes are a good choice. Their sweetness provides an interesting contrast to the savory casserole.
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes: Achieving extra crispy roasted potatoes, perhaps by parboiling them first or using a higher roasting temperature, adds a delightful textural element to the plate.
Creamy Soups
While serving soup with a casserole might seem like overkill, a light and creamy soup can actually complement Reuben Casserole, especially if it’s a cooler day. Choose soups that are not overly heavy to maintain balance.
- Tomato Soup: A classic pairing with grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup also works well with Reuben flavors. Its acidity and slight sweetness cut through the richness of the casserole.
- Creamy Vegetable Soup: A light and creamy vegetable soup, such as cream of celery or cream of asparagus, can offer a comforting and subtly flavored side. Ensure the soup is not too thick or heavy.
- Pickle Soup: For a truly adventurous pairing, consider a dill pickle soup. Its tangy and sour flavors would directly complement the Reuben Casserole and enhance the overall Reuben experience.
Considering Flavor Profiles
When choosing side dishes, it’s essential to consider the dominant flavors in Reuben Casserole:
- Savory and Rich: Corned beef and Swiss cheese contribute savory and rich notes.
- Tangy and Acidic: Sauerkraut, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing provide tanginess and acidity.
- Slightly Sweet: Thousand Island dressing also has a hint of sweetness.
- Rye Bread Flavor: The rye bread base adds a distinctive earthy and slightly sour note.
Therefore, ideal side dishes will either:
- Contrast the Richness: Fresh salads, acidic slaws, and tangy vegetables achieve this.
- Complement the Flavors: Sides with savory or slightly sour notes, like roasted vegetables with garlic or pickle soup, enhance the overall flavor profile.
Side Dishes for Different Occasions
The best side dish might also depend on the occasion you’re serving Reuben Casserole:
- Brunch or Lunch: Lighter sides like fresh fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or a simple green salad are perfect for daytime meals.
- Dinner: Heartier options like roasted potatoes, green beans, or a more substantial salad make for a complete and satisfying dinner.
- Potlucks or Gatherings: Broccoli salad, coleslaw, or potato salad are excellent make-ahead sides that travel well and are crowd-pleasing.
Final Thoughts
Choosing what to serve with Reuben Casserole is about creating balance and enhancing the overall dining experience. Whether you opt for classic, refreshing, or heartier sides, focusing on contrasting textures and complementary flavors will lead to a delicious and satisfying meal. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own perfect pairings to enjoy with this comforting and flavorful casserole.
