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Thanksgiving is wonderful, isn’t it? But after the big meal, you’re often left with a mountain of delicious turkey and sides. Don’t let those leftovers go to waste! My absolute favorite way to give them a second life is by turning them into this incredibly simple and comforting leftover turkey casserole. Trust me, it’s a game-changer that smells just as good the second time around. I remember those crazy days when life felt so hectic, and quick, satisfying meals were a lifesaver. This casserole brings that same feeling of homey goodness without all the fuss, just like my grandmother used to make when she wanted something hearty and easy. It’s one of those tried-and-true recipes that always hits the spot!
- Why You'll Love This Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Ingredients for Your Leftover Turkey Casserole
- How to Make Leftover Turkey Casserole: Step-by-Step
- Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Leftover Turkey
- Making Ahead and Storing Your Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Turkey Casserole
- Nutritional Information for Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Share Your Leftover Turkey Casserole Creations!
Why You’ll Love This Leftover Turkey Casserole
This isn’t just another way to use up turkey; it’s about making mealtime easy and delicious.
- Super Simple: Takes minutes to throw together after Thanksgiving.
- Quick & Easy: Dinner on the table fast, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Deliciously Comforting: All your favorite Thanksgiving flavors in one cozy dish.
- Waste Not, Want Not: Gives new life to your delicious leftovers!
Ingredients for Your Leftover Turkey Casserole
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magic happen! It’s really just a collection of all the yummy bits left over from your big feast. Don’t worry if you don’t have *exactly* these things; we’ll talk substitutions later!
Here’s what I usually grab:
- Cooked Turkey: About 4 cups, all shredded or diced up nicely.
- Leftover Veggies: Around 2 cups. Whatever you’ve got! Green beans, carrots, peas – they all work.
- Gravy: 1 cup of that delicious leftover gravy. This is key for moisture and flavor!
- Milk or Cream: Just a half cup to make it extra creamy.
- Salt and Pepper: A teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper, to taste.
- Cooked Noodles or Rice: About a cup so it’s nice and hearty.
- Shredded Cheese: Half a cup of your favorite – I love cheddar or Monterey Jack for this.
- Breadcrumbs (Optional): If you like a little crunch on top, grab about a quarter cup.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Casserole: Step-by-Step
Okay, so you’ve got all those lovely ingredients prepped and ready to go. Now for the fun part – turning them into a warm, bubbly casserole! It’s truly one of the easiest things you can do with your Thanksgiving leftovers, and honestly, putting together this leftover turkey casserole is almost as satisfying as the first Thanksgiving meal itself.
Preheating and Prep for Your Leftover Turkey Casserole
First things first, let’s get that oven all warmed up! Go ahead and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating, grab your trusty 9×13 inch baking dish. I like to give mine a quick spray of cooking spray, just to be extra sure nothing sticks. It’s a little thing, but it makes cleanup a breeze!
Combining the Leftover Turkey Casserole Ingredients
Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl. Toss in all that wonderful cooked turkey you’ve got, followed by your leftover veggies, cooked noodles or rice. Pour in that luscious gravy and the milk or cream. Give it all a good stir until everything is married together perfectly. You want every single bit of that turkey and veggie goodness to be coated in that savory gravy. This is where all the flavors start to get friendly for your amazing leftover turkey casserole.
Assembling and Baking Your Thanksgiving Classic
Once everything is mixed, pour that glorious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Now for the best part – the topping! Sprinkle that shredded cheese all over the top, making sure you get it all the way to the edges. If you decided to go with breadcrumbs for that extra crunch, sprinkle those on top of the cheese. Pop it into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be bubbly and golden brown.
Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Casserole
You know, making a truly fantastic leftover turkey casserole is all about a few little tricks. Even with just a few simple tweaks, you can take it from good to absolutely amazing. My own kitchen adventures have taught me that a little extra care goes a long way. For instance, if you’re finding your casserole a bit too thick, a splash more milk or cream can really do the trick. And if you’re out of gravy? Don’t panic! I’ve made a quick roux before, just like in this helpful guide, and it works like a charm. It adds that rich, creamy base that makes everything sing.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Leftover Turkey
You know, the beauty of this dish is how forgiving it is! That’s why it’s perfect for using up odds and ends from your Thanksgiving feast. If you happen to be all out of that precious leftover gravy, don’t you fret! A simple white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk works beautifully. Or, if you’re in a real pinch, a can of cream of mushroom soup (thinned with a little milk) can totally save the day. And those veggies? Well, use whatever you have! Peas, corn, carrots, green beans – they all add a lovely bit of color and texture.
Making Ahead and Storing Your Leftover Turkey Casserole
You know, one of the best things about this yummy leftover turkey casserole is that you can totally make it ahead of time! If you want to get a jump start, assemble the casserole (but don’t add the breadcrumbs or top with cheese yet) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then foil. Pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, just add the cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake as usual, adding a few extra minutes since it’s cold. And if you need to freeze it? Wrap it really well, and it’ll keep for about 2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Make Turkey Casserole
Got questions about whipping up this tasty dish? I totally get it! This recipe is pretty flexible, but a few little things can make a big difference. Let’s dive into how to make turkey casserole the best it can be!
Can I use Fresh Turkey Instead of Leftovers?
Absolutely! If you don’t have Thanksgiving leftovers handy, just cook up some fresh turkey. You’ll want to shred or dice about 4 cups of it. Make sure it’s cooked through before adding it to the casserole mixture. It’s just as delicious!
What are the Best Vegetables for Leftover Turkey Casserole?
The beauty of this casserole is you can use pretty much any leftover cooked veggies you have! Peas, carrots, corn, green beans, even roasted Brussels sprouts – they all work wonderfully. Just mix in about 2 cups total. It’s a great way to make sure nothing goes to waste!
How to Make Your Leftover Turkey Casserole Creamier
For an extra creamy casserole, you can swap out the milk for heavy cream, or even add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the gravy mixture. If you’re out of gravy entirely and using a cream soup base, using full-fat soup will always give you a richer result.
Nutritional Information for Leftover Turkey Casserole
Just a heads-up, the nutrition facts for this casserole can really change depending on exactly what you toss in! But, as a general idea, one serving will give you roughly 350 calories, about 15g of fat, and a solid 30g of protein. Remember, these are just estimates, especially after Thanksgiving when ingredient amounts can vary!
Share Your Leftover Turkey Casserole Creations!
I just love hearing how you all get on with my recipes! If you made this yummy casserole, please leave a comment below telling me what you thought. Did you try any fun new veggie combos? And if you snap a pic, tag me on social media – I’d be absolutely thrilled to see your delicious creations!
PrintLeftover Turkey Casserole
A simple and comforting casserole to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey and sides.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- 2 cups cooked vegetables (like green beans, carrots, peas)
- 1 cup leftover gravy
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cooked noodles or rice
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked turkey, cooked vegetables, noodles or rice, gravy, milk or cream, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- If using, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use any leftover vegetables you have on hand.
- If you don’t have leftover gravy, you can make a simple white sauce or use a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg