Description
This Korean-inspired reuben bake offers a hearty, cheesy, and tangy meal perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. It brings comforting deli flavors to your kitchen without the hassle, combining beef, kimchi, rye bread, and a gochujang-spiked dressing into one satisfying baking dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.3 lbs cooked beef pastrami or corned beef, thinly sliced
- 16 oz alcohol-free kimchi, well-drained and squeezed dry, roughly chopped
- 9 oz rye bread, crusts removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 9 oz shredded microbial rennet white cheddar cheese
- 5.3 oz shredded microbial rennet mozzarella cheese
- 0.75 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- Onion powder, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Toasted white sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Thinly sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
- Toasted sesame oil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven And Grease Dish: Preheat your oven to 190C (375F). Lightly grease a 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking dish.
- Whisk Dressing Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, gochujang, onion powder, garlic powder, fine sea salt, and black pepper until the dressing is thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the thinly sliced beef, chopped kimchi, and rye bread cubes to the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Mix In Half Cheese: Stir in half of the shredded white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses into the mixture, ensuring the cheese is well distributed.
- Transfer To Dish: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it into an even layer, pressing down lightly.
- Sprinkle Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the bake.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top, with edges slightly crisped.
- Remove And Rest Bake: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Let your delicious bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Serve And Garnish: Scoop generous portions to serve. Garnish each with toasted white sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onions, and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for extra aroma and visual appeal (optional).
Notes
Ensure kimchi is thoroughly drained and squeezed dry before mixing to avoid mushy results. If the cheese browns too quickly during baking, cover the dish loosely with foil. For dietary needs, skip the rye bread for a low-carb option, or increase beef for a high-protein meal. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: (1/8 of bake)
- Calories: 650 calories
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Korean-inspired, reuben bake, easy dinner, family-friendly, weeknight, cheesy, tangy, comfort food, beef, kimchi