In a nutshell: There are three ways to reheat a casserole like freshly baked – using an oven, warming it up in a microwave, or reheating it in an air fryer.
The casserole is a great and delicious mix of meat, vegetable stuffing, and sauce.
If you are a vegetarian, then you know how to put together a wonderful casserole without meat or with substitute ingredients. What definitely characterizes this compound is that it is very juicy when you prepare it.
The casserole is also a great dish that you can make in advance—freeze it and reheat later. This way, you will save yourself a lot of time, and you will have a quick lunch when you are in a hurry.
We suggest that you cut the casserole into the meals you will need before freezing and freeze them separately. It will make your thawing job easier later, and you will have several lunches.
How to Reheat Casserole In An Oven
The oven is an excellent choice for reheating the casserole dish, especially if you have several pieces that you need to heat up at once.
In the oven, the dish will heat up evenly, and you will avoid drying out. The method is straightforward as you just need to cover the pan during heating to preserve the juiciness and prevent the edges from burning.
Step 1: Let the Casserole Rest at Room Temperature
It is always good to let the casserole stand for a while at room temperature. If circumstances allow, take it out from the refrigerator some 20 minutes before heating to allow it to temper.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven to 350 °F
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The preheating time of the stove is also the moment when the casserole can be tempered, so be sure to take it out of the fridge if you haven’t already.
Step 3: Place the Casserole Leftovers in a Baking Pan and Cover
If you have one larger piece like whole casserole or are slightly thicker pieces, we recommend cutting them into two or four pieces, depending on the size. This will allow the interior to heat up more evenly.
Then, insert the casserole into the baking tray and cover with aluminum foil. The foil is vital in order to preserve the juiciness, but also in order not to burn the edges of the casserole.
Step 4: Bake for about 20 Minutes
Put the casserole in the oven. Again, depending on how thick the casserole is, adjust the baking time. It usually takes 20 minutes, but if you have smaller or thinner pieces, be sure to shorten the baking time to 15 minutes.
Once ready, take the casserole out of the baking dish, let it relax for two to three minutes and serve. Be careful not to burn yourself on the hot oven or while removing the aluminum foil. Your reheated casserole will be juicy and delicious.
Warming Up Casserole In A Microwave
If you only have one piece of casserole leftover, it is quite uneconomical to use the oven. So use the microwave freely, and warm up your lunch in a few minutes.
Here are the steps you need to take when warming up.
Step 1: Cut the Casserole into Smaller Pieces
When using a microwave oven, it is even more important to cut the casserole into smaller pieces. The exterior will heat up very quickly, and the interior of the dish will remain almost completely cold. So, cut the casserole into smaller pieces or slices.
Step 2: Put the Leftovers in a Heating Container
Use only a microwave safe dish, so you don’t risk it being destroyed in the microwave. Place the sliced pieces in a bowl and spread them loosely a little so that each part is heated evenly.
Cover the container with plastic wrap that can be used in the microwave, but leave a small opening so that the steam can escape freely.
Step 3: Heat for about 2 Minutes
It will take you about 2 to 3 minutes to fully heat the casserole. You can first turn on the microwave for one minute using the preheating program you have on the device.
Take out the casserole, turn the pieces as needed to heat them on all sides, and put it back for another minute. Then, check that it is heated enough. If not, return for another 30 seconds, and then an additional 30 seconds if needed.
Do not overcook the dish or you might end up burning the cheese.
Reheating Casserole In An Air Fryer
The air fryer will be a slightly slower method to reheat a casserole than the microwave but certainly faster than the classic oven method.
The result will be very good, the casserole will be juicy and fresh, and you can heat several pieces at the same time – as many as will fit in your basket in one row.
Step 1: Let the Casserole Thaw and Rest
If you have frozen casserole pieces, it is important to thaw them well before heating. Also, if you have just taken them out of the refrigerator, let them sit at room temperature for a while. In this way, you will allow the core to temper and be better heated.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer to 350 °F
Turn on the fryer to heat up to 350 degrees or even a little higher, up to 370 degrees. Letting the appliance heat up entirely before putting food in it is necessary.
Step 3: Put the Leftover Casserole in a Basket
It is necessary to arrange the casserole leftovers in the fryer basket so that they are in one row. Don’t throw on too much at once. It is also better if there is a little space between the slices.
Although not essential, the result will be better if the pieces are smaller and not entire casserole. Thus, the internal environment will be heated more evenly.
Step 4: Cook for about 5 Minutes
Place the casserole in the air fryer and turn it on for 5 minutes. After that, take out the basket and check if everything is well heated and if the central temperature is also satisfactory.
It is not good if you only heat the outside while the inside remains lukewarm. If everything is OK, add topping or cheese as desired and serve immediately.
FAQs
Do I need to keep the casserole in a fridge?
Yes, you definitely need to keep the casserole in the fridge. And it is best to store it in the cold as soon as possible after you have leftovers after lunch. Since it is a compound of sauces, vegetables, and meat, it is definitely susceptible to the development of harmful bacteria at room temperature.
Can I freeze a cooked casserole?
By all means, yes. It’s actually a clever way to ensure you have a quick lunch in the future. Besides, when you’re already making a casserole, why not make a bit more at once. Freeze it and later defrost it thoroughly before reheating.
How long does a casserole last in the fridge?
The surest estimate of how long your refrigerated casserole will last is up to three days. It may be good on the fourth day as well, but don’t keep it longer than that. Be sure to store it in a container that you can close with a lid.
How do you reheat a casserole for the next day?
To reheat a casserole for the next day, preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C), cover the casserole with foil to prevent drying, and bake it for 20-30 minutes or until it is heated through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Conclusion
Do not be afraid to store leftover casserole in the refrigerator or freezer and use it later. When reheated, it will not taste as freshly baked, but it will be a delicious and tasty meal for you and your family. Or a fast breakfast casserole if in a hurry.
If you don’t want to eat leftovers within three days, you’d better freeze them right away so it will be able to last up to two months. Frozen casserole, after reheating, is just as good as the fresh one.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
