This cheesy and satisfying Leftover Turkey Casserole is a tasty way to make the most of holiday extras, with simple ingredients you probably already have!
This creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole with pasta noodles is a tasty way to use up left over holiday food!
There's something especially satisfying about turning Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers into something entirely new. But in our house we're not a fan of a Bridget Jones style turkey curry.
Instead, our post-holiday go to is this Leftover Turkey Casserole. Simply take leftover turkey and transform it into a creamy, comforting dish that's easy to throw together.
It's the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table on a chilly night, with a warm, cheesy bite and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
The taste is everything you'd want from comfort food: creamy, cheesy, and savory, with the freshness of mixed vegetables and a hint of garlic from the cream of mushroom soup.
The breadcrumb-Parmesan topping gets golden and crunchy in the oven, adding just the right amount of texture.
It's a bit like a turkey pot pie meets pasta bake, and it's a perfect solution when you're looking to give leftovers a fresh spin.
I love recipes like this that make the most out of leftovers, especially after a big holiday. Making this casserole is pretty straightforward, even if you're a beginner cook, with a few easy steps and ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen.
But you don't have to wait for the holidays to enjoy this dish. You can cook up turkey breast cutlets especially for this dish too!
Serve it up with Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts for a super festive meal!
Jump to:
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- It's an easy way to use up leftover turkey.
- This leftover Turkey Casserole recipe is very versatile - use up any veggies.
- No turkey? No problem! Try it with shredded chicken breasts instead.
- You only need simple everyday ingredients to turn turkey into a new meal.
- The filling is creamy and cheesy, from shredded cheddar and cream of mushroom soup.
Ingredients
- Leftover turkey: use shredded leftover roasted turkey.
- Pasta: Cook up your favorite pasta to bulk out the casserole. Have leftover mac and cheese from Thanksgiving dinner? Throw that in instead!
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This forms the base of the sauce. Feel free to swap to cream of chicken soup instead.
- Frozen mixed vegetables: Frozen mixed vegetables are really handy to use in this casserole, but you can swap or add, chopped brussels sprouts, chopped carrots or other leftover vegetables.
- Cheese: I use sharp cheddar, but gruyere is great too.
- Breadcrumbs: Use dried plain or Italian breadcrumbs. If you have leftover bread or rolls that are going a bit stale, you can whiz them in a food processor to make your own breadcrumbs.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
How to make leftover turkey casserole
If you're wondering how to make this Leftover Turkey Casserole recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain well (or use leftover plain cooked pasta or leftover mac and cheese).
Lightly shred the cooked turkey into pieces.
Place the frozen mixed vegetables into a colander and run under hot water for a minute or two to thaw slightly. Drain well. Alternatively, add it to a microwavable bowl and defrost it in the microwave.
Add the shredded cooked turkey into a large bowl along with the cooked pasta, and stir in the vegetables and grated cheddar.
Pour in cream of chicken soup and add salt and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly.
Place the mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Stir the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan together in a small bowl.
Top the turkey and pasta with the parmesan breadcrumbs.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until it's all hot and the breadcrumbs turn golden.
Variations
- Switch up the type of pasta you use for a different texture to your casserole.
- Try adding cream of chicken or cheese soup instead of cream of mushroom.
- Add finely chopped fresh vegetables instead of frozen.
- Stir in some dried Italian herbs to the sauce for more flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a simple side salad or steamed green beans for a balanced meal. Try it with Buttered Cabbage, Arkansas Green Beans, or Melted Leeks.
- Top with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, for extra flavor and color.
- This casserole also pairs well with a warm slice of bread or garlic bread for an extra cozy touch. Make a batch of Outback Steakhouse Bread.
FAQ
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends eating (or freezing turkey) within 4 days. Ensure that it is cooled, wrapped well, and stored in the refrigerator.
📖 Recipe
Leftover Turkey Casserole
Equipment
- Bowl
- Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- ½ pound roasted turkey
- 1 pound cooked pasta
- 15 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup grated cheddar
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- salt and pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain well (or use leftover plain cooked pasta or leftover mac and cheese).
- Lightly shred the cooked turkey into pieces.
- Place the frozen mixed vegetables into a colander and run under hot water for a minute or two to thaw slightly. Drain well. Alternatively, add it to a microwavable bowl and defrost it in the microwave.
- Add the shredded cooked turkey into a large bowl along with the cooked pasta, and stir in the vegetables and grated cheddar.
- Pour in cream of chicken soup and add salt and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Place the mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Stir the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan together in a small bowl.
- Top the turkey and pasta with the parmesan breadcrumbs.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until it's all hot and the breadcrumbs turn golden.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Shadi says
I have everything I need for this dish, can’t wait to make it this weekend! My family is going to love this!
Phoebe says
Yum! This dish is so flavorful! That bread crumb topping takes it over the top!