Vegetable casseroles can be a healthy, convenient way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet. Whether you need to reheat a vegetable casserole you made in anticipation of a future meal, or reheat a leftover vegetable casserole, understanding how to heat the casserole to a safe, appetizing temperature will help you stay safe from potential food poisoning while enjoying your vegetable casserole. Before you reheat your casserole, learn the types of containers to use and strategies to employ when heating up your dish
In the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Using a hot, preheated oven will help your casserole reheat more quickly, saving you time and helping to keep the vegetables from drying out.
Move your casserole into an appropriate container, if necessary. Use an oven-safe container such as a glass casserole dish, a stainless steel pan, a ceramic dish or an aluminum pan.
Cover the top of the casserole dish with aluminum foil. Secure the sides tightly in order to keep the vegetable casserole from drying out. Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven. Close the oven door and set your oven timer for 10 minutes for a small casserole or 20 minutes for a large casserole.
Related LeafTv Articles
Check the internal temperature of the casserole when the timer rings. Remove the foil and use a digital or analog oven thermometer placed in the center of the casserole to ensure the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees. If the temperature is less than 165 degrees, remove the thermometer, close the oven door and heat for five more minutes. Check the temperature every five minutes until the casserole is thoroughly warm.
Use oven mitts to remove the vegetable casserole from the oven and serve.
In The Microwave
Look on the bottom of your vegetable casserole's dish. A microwave-safe dish is made of glass, microwave-safe plastic or ceramic. Look the words "microwave safe" on the container to ensure you can use it in the microwave. Avoid using foam containers, soft plastic, paper bags or plastic wraps, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Transfer the casserole to a microwave-safe dish, if necessary. Place the dish in the microwave oven and close the door securely. Set the oven timer for two to five minutes. Set a shorter time if you are reheating a small amount of vegetable casserole to avoid drying out the vegetables.
Remove the vegetable casserole from the oven when the timer beeps. Place a food thermometer into the center of the casserole, taking care not to touch the bottom or sides of the pan. If the temperature reads 165 degrees, you can safely eat the casserole.
Return the casserole to the oven if the temperature is lower than 165 degrees. Set the microwave timer for an additional 60 seconds, and press start. Recheck the temperature when the timer beeps again.
Tip
Stir the casserole midway through both microwave and oven reheating to distribute the vegetables and sauce evenly. If your casserole has a topping, such as bread crumbs or crushed crackers, cook the casserole in the oven for an additional five minutes without a foil cover to crisp the topping.
Warning
Avoid covering your vegetable casserole with plastic wrap during the microwaving process, due to the possibility of melting. Test several spots of a microwave-heated casserole, as some microwaves do not heat evenly.
References
Writer Bio
Diane Lynn began writing in 1998 as a guest columnist for the "Tallahassee Democrat." After losing 158 pounds, she wrote her own weight-loss curriculum and now teaches classes on diet and fitness. Lynn also writes for The Oz Blog and her own blog, Fit to the Finish. She has a Bachelor of Science in finance from Florida State University.