The Genius Way Ree Drummond Upgrades Reuben Sandwiches

If you've ever eaten a Reuben sandwich then you know how delicious they are. If you haven't tried one, then you're simply missing out on one of the most iconic sandwiches out there. For those not in the know, a Reuben sandwich combines sliced corned beef and melted Swiss cheese, along with a generous drizzle of Thousand Island dressing and a heap of sauerkraut all piled on two slices of rye bread, as noted by Belly Full. Both sides of the bread are then slathered in butter and cooked in a hot skillet or on a griddle (similar to the way you'd cook a grilled cheese sandwich).

The one drawback — if you can even call it that — to the Reuben sandwich is that it can be a bit messy to eat. With something this delicious and texturally perfect, some may wonder how it could be upgraded. But leave it to a Food Network chef to find a way to upgrade a classic... and even make it a bit neater in the process.

Writer, entrepreneur and Food Network chef Ree Drummond, also known as The Pioneer Woman, has recently shared a way she upgrades a Reuben sandwich with a simple cooking method. A Food Network recipe explains how Drummond puts her Reuben sandwiches together, and rather than cooking them up in a skillet or on a griddle, she cooks them in her waffle maker. The end result is something that Drummond calls a "Reuben Wafflewich," a product that marries the best parts of a sandwich and a waffle in one delicious dish.

But, besides the catchy name (and, obviously, the marvelous, caramelized flavors), you may wonder if there's any other reason to place a sandwich in a waffle maker. According to Leite's Culinaria, using a waffle iron to cook a grilled cheese or other hot sandwiches means you don't have to stand at the stove and spend a lot of time tending to the sandwich, as it seals the bread to help everything stay together. Additionally, the dimpled surface of the waffle iron allows for pockets of crispy, buttery, gooey goodness that the flat surfaces of griddles or skillets just can't replicate. The next time you're craving a Reuben, break out the waffle maker and enjoy the delicious upgrade.