How to Reheat a Casserole

Reheat casserole leftovers in the oven, preheated to 350 degrees F. It's a perfect balance—not too much heat to burn, but not so little that it'll dry out before warming through.

A cooked and refrigerated casserole only takes about 20-30 minutes until it's hot throughout. The exact amount of time varies based on the density of the casserole and specific ingredients.

If you've assembled your casserole ahead of time, but didn't bake it yet, follow the original recipe for cook time and double-check you're using the right temperature. However, you may need to add 10-15 minutes of cook time to a cold, refrigerated casserole. Just make sure to monitor the internal temperature of any meat for the best results.

Add a small amount of water or broth to the whole casserole before covering and reheating it. Make sure to drizzle the liquid evenly around the edges of the casserole and over the center, too.

Yes! To prevent an overcooked, dry casserole, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This eliminates any moisture loss when using the oven method—keeping everything nice and juicy.

However, the only exception to this rule is when you want your casserole topping to crisp up. For example, if you add crunchy fried onions to a green bean casserole, you can keep the foil off.

Nope! Always let your casserole come to room temperature, first. Putting ice-cold glass into a hot oven can cause the dish to shatter.

Always! Preheating the oven allows it to reach a temperature that is safe for cooking food. In fact, one of the most common mistakes home chefs make is not letting the oven preheat long enough.

When reheating single portions, you'll get the best results by using the microwave. However, remember to transfer the casserole leftovers to a microwave-safe dish before heating in 30-second intervals.

The general rule of thumb is yes. While you can bake from frozen, you generally get better results from letting the casserole thaw in the fridge for a day or so. Plus, it'll take less time in the oven, which means you'll get to eat sooner when dinner rolls around!