How to Reheat a Casserole (without drying it out!) (2024)

ByMelissa Riker April 10, 2023April 10, 2023 Updated onApril 10, 2023

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It is easier than you think to reheat a casserole without drying it out or ruining the texture! Whether you have a frozen casserole or thawed, cheese topped casserole or crispy, we have the tips you need to heat it up so you can enjoy it!

We are big casserole fans at our house, I mean what’s not to love?! All your favorite flavors layered in one perfect dish like our hamburger hash brown casserole or ground beef frito pie.

Casseroles can be tricky to reheat without drying them out or ruining that perfect taste and texture, but with a few tips and tricks you can reheat a casserole perfectly.

Note: The cooking time for any method may vary depending on the type and size of the casserole. Make sure to use a food thermometer to check that the casserole has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.

How to reheat a casserole in the oven

Reheating a casserole in the oven is a simple process that can help you enjoy your leftovers. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Take your casserole out of the refrigerator and remove any plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
3. Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish. If the casserole is too big for the dish, you can cut it into smaller pieces.
4. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
5. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the casserole. If the casserole is still cold in the middle, you can bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes.
6. Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
7. Once the casserole is heated through, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

How to microwave a casserole without drying it out

Reheating a casserole in the microwave is a quick and convenient way to enjoy your leftovers. However, if not done properly, it can dry out the casserole. Here are some tips to help you reheat a casserole in the microwave without drying it out:

1. Use a microwave-safe dish that is deep enough to hold the casserole and has a lid.
2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent to allow steam to escape.
3. Microwave the casserole on medium power for 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the casserole. You can also use the reheat setting on your microwave if it has one.
4. Check the casserole and stir it if necessary. If it is still cold in the middle, microwave it for an additional 1-2 minutes.
5. Check the casserole again and stir it if necessary. If it is heated through, remove it from the microwave and let it sit for a minute or two before serving.
6. If the casserole is still not hot enough, repeat the process until it is heated through.

How to reheat a frozen casserole

Reheating a frozen casserole is a bit different from reheating a refrigerated casserole. Here are some steps you can follow to safely and effectively reheat a frozen casserole:

1. Thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. This will ensure that it thaws evenly and safely.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
3. Remove any plastic wrap or aluminum foil from the casserole and place it in an oven-safe dish.
4. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
5. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the casserole. If the casserole is still cold in the middle, you can bake it for an additional 10-15 minutes.
6. Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
7. Once the casserole is heated through, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Note: If you don’t have time to thaw the casserole overnight, you can also reheat it directly from frozen. However, this will take longer and may result in uneven heating. To reheat a frozen casserole directly, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), cover the casserole with aluminum foil, and bake for 1-2 hours, or until it is heated through. Use a food thermometer to check that the casserole has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Do you need to cover the casserole?

Covering is important to prevent the casserole from drying out. If you are reheating in the oven, you can use aluminum foil to cover the dish, or use an oven-safe dish with a lid.

This is especially important if you are reheating a casserole made with pasta or rice like chicken and rice casserole or baked ziti al forno, as the cover helps keep the pasta or rice soft, not hard and crunchy.

If you are reheating a casserole with a crispy topping like chicken cordon bleu casserole or chicken pot pie casserole, you should still reheat it covered, but you can remove the foil or lid for the last 5-10 minutes to crisp up the top.

Tips for best results

• If you are reheating a casserole with a cheesy topping, spray the aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray so the cheese does not stick to it!
• Cheese-topped casseroles like out Mexican ground beef casserole can also be refreshed with a little extra cheese before reheating.
• If you have a creamy, saucy casserole, add a splash of milk to the dish to thin it a bit before reheating.
• Don’t skip the covering! This keeps the moisture in the dish and prevents drying.