A classic casserole it is a delicious dish made of meat, stuffed vegetables and sauces, but there are many versions of it, including a vegetarian alternative.
Given how beloved and versatile this dish is, it’s common to make a casserole in large containers and it would be a waste to throw away leftovers, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to reheat a casserole.
What is the best way to reheat a casserole? Usually the best way is to reheat it by the same method you used to cook it, which is the ovenbut you can also use the microwave or the stoveas long as you add a little water or olive oil to the mix.
The best ways to reheat a casserole
A casserole is one of those dishes that you can make ahead of time, make a large batch, and save it for later, because if you store it well and know how to reheat it, it will still be delicious for days after you first made it.
When reheating a stew you should keep in mind that you are not trying to cook it again, but just heating it up just enough to make it enjoyable to eat.
Why do we insist on this point? Because a common mistake is to reheat a frozen stew at extremely high temperatures or for longer than necessary, and end up spoiling it.
If you read below, you will know the different ways to reheat a casserole. There are some differences between each method, but one thing they all have in common is the prerequisite that your casserole must be properly stored and defrosted.
These days, all ovens and microwaves have a defrost option, but if you’re not sure how to use it, we recommend going the old-school method and taking the casserole out of the freezer a few hours beforehand or even the night before.
If the casserole was in the fridge (be careful, don’t forget the casserole in the fridge for more than a couple of days, better freeze it) you can take it out just 30 minutes before and let it rest at room temperature.
If you plan to make several meals out of it, it would be helpful to cut it into small portions before freezing it.
Is your casserole thawed, portioned, and ready to be reheated? Here are the top 3 ways to reheat casserole from the fridge or freezer.
How to reheat a casserole in the oven
Ovening is still the best way to heat a refrigerated casserole because most of the time it is the method the casserole was originally cooked with and it prevents common mistakes like cold spots or burning the bottom.
First of all, you have to prepare the casserole to reheat it. To do this, you must take into account the type of casserole you have on hand.
Reheating an egg casserole, meat casserole, potato casserole, or any type of casserole that can easily lose moisture requires a piece of aluminum foil to cover the top of the casserole.
Instead, if you’re reheating a casserole that contains ingredients like bread, it’s best to leave it uncovered to prevent the ingredients from getting soggy.
Here are the steps to reheat a casserole in the oven:
- Take the casserole out of the fridge at least 20 minutes in advance. To reheat a frozen casserole, you need to thaw it or take it out a few hours in advance.
- If you need it, divide the stew into smaller portions or prepare only the part you need. Place these portions in ovenproof containers, if they are not already ovenproof.
- It is commonly accepted to preheat the oven to 350 degrees, but we believe that 250 degrees is enough because it allows you to control the cooking process and avoid burns.
- Place the casserole inside and cover the top with aluminum foil, if necessary.
- If you are familiar with your oven presets, choose the one that best suits the type of casserole you are reheating. Otherwise, the old Conventional Heating preset (two lines, one above and one below) does the trick.
- The reheating process should take 20-30 minutes, but it’s best to check the pan every 5-10 minutes. You can also lower the temperature a little (no less than 200-180 degrees) during the last 10 minutes of reheating.
- Remove the casserole and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Remember not to remove the hot foil with your bare hands.
The only problem with reheating a stew in the oven is that it’s not convenient if you only need to reheat a small portion. In that case, it would be better to use the microwave for easier and faster preparation.
How to reheat a casserole in the microwave
If you’re reheating a breakfast casserole, chances are the portions won’t be very large. In this case, the oven may not be the solution for you, because the casserole is often stored in the container it was made from, which is too large for your breakfast needs.
That’s why the microwave is perfect if you need to reheat a stew without it drying out.
Another advantage of the microwave is that modern microwaves have greatly improved their defrosting options, so you can safely defrost a frozen casserole and heat it up, all in a matter of minutes and using the same appliance.
Here are the steps to reheat a casserole in the microwave:
- Take the casserole out of the fridge at least 20 minutes in advance. For a frozen casserole, use the defrost option on your microwave, but be sure to follow the directions so you don’t risk spoiling the casserole. If you don’t trust quick thawing in the microwave, take the casserole out of the freezer a few hours in advance.
- If necessary, divide the casserole into smaller portions and save the ones you don’t need. Place the amount of casserole that you are going to reheat in a heat resistant container. Remember that metal, crumpled aluminum, and some types of plastic and Styrofoam are not microwaveable, so check the labels.
- Make sure the stew is evenly distributed in the bowl. Unless you have an inverter microwave, chances are you’ll be left with some cold spots if you don’t distribute the casserole well enough.
- If you need to cover the container, do not use plastic or other unsafe materials. Instead, use another container of the same type or a ceramic plate to cover the top.
- Most of today’s microwaves are very smart and have automatic cooking programs that take all the guesswork out of reheating. In either case, you can microwave on high for the first 2-3 minutes, and then you can turn the heat down as needed.
- Reheating a casserole in the microwave is very quick, so after 2-3 minutes, check your casserole and turn the pieces over. If you think it’s not hot enough, add another 30 seconds and continue until it’s done.
- To reheat the casserole without overcooking, don’t leave it in the microwave too long without pausing and checking. You risk burning some ingredients (especially the cheese).
- Take out the casserole and serve it.
The only problem with reheating a stew in the microwave is space. Of course, a small microwave won’t fit an entire casserole, but depending on your microwave model you may have problems with even smaller portions.
If you want to reheat only part of your casserole but are concerned about space, you can try reheating your casserole in a large skillet.
How to reheat casserole in a skillet
Reheating a casserole in a skillet is a great way to make sure everything goes as planned. Pans are versatile as you can choose the right size for the amount of casserole you want to reheat.
Also, reheating something in the pan requires you to be there at all times, so it’s very hard to mess it up.
If you have a portion of stew that is too small for the oven, but too large for the microwave, the skillet may be the solution for you.
Here are the steps to reheat a casserole in a skillet:
- Take the casserole out of the fridge at least 20 minutes in advance. To reheat a frozen casserole, you need to thaw it or take it out a few hours in advance.
- Use cooking spray or add a tablespoon of water or olive oil to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat until it starts to boil. It is better to choose a pan with a lid, to be able to cover the casserole when necessary.
- Place the amount of casserole you need in the pan and distribute it evenly.
- You can move the pieces from time to time. The combination of water and the lid will keep your casserole hydrated.
- If the olive oil is completely absorbed by the pan or if the water evaporates, you risk burning the bottom of the pan. Add more oil or water as you see fit to make sure it doesn’t overcook.
- Reheating the casserole in a skillet is very quick, so keep stirring for a few minutes until it’s hot enough to serve.
Along with the oven, the skillet is the safest way to reheat a casserole, however it requires some culinary skill and a bit of patience as you have to be present throughout the entire process.
Can you reheat a casserole?
Yes you can, in fact, a large casserole can serve more than a few meals if you store and reheat it properly.
You can choose the method you prefer to reheat a stew between the oven, the microwave and the stove. Each one suits different needs, for example, if you want to reheat a large amount of stew, the oven is your best choice.
For a small amount or a single serving, you can choose the microwave or the skillet. Both methods are fast and do not require a lot of effort. These are great ways to reheat a breakfast casserole.
The ingredients of the casserole also have an influence: a casserole made with ingredients that lose moisture easily, such as eggs, potatoes or meat, should be reheated with the help of aluminum foil (oven), a ceramic plate (microwave) or a lid (pan).
You should also be careful to reheat the stew without overcooking it, because some ingredients, like cheese, could burn or release a lot of fatty oil if overcooked.
Follow our step-by-step guide on how to reheat casserole and you’ll be sure to enjoy your delicious casserole for days to come.