Leftover Turkey Casserole – Only 3 Steps!
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Leftover Turkey Casserole repurposes leftover turkey and stuffing into one easy recipe. This one-dish turkey casserole is quick, creamy, and delicious. With only 3 steps it’s on your table in a jiffy!
Leftover Turkey Casserole is a great way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers especially when everyone is screaming “not more turkey! This turkey casserole recipe is also a great fix for a turkey that ended up dry.
I just love Thanksgiving. All of that delicious food and sitting around the table with the people we love.
I have John’s family over every year, and even though it’s not a big group I still cook like I’m feeding a hundred. Can you relate?
I don’t mind because I WANT the leftovers! John’s always a big help because he cooks the bird on the grill which frees up my oven.
Here’s our tutorial on How to Spatchcock and Carve your Thanksgiving Turkey as well as some easy tips for making Thanksgiving stress-free!
It wasn’t all that long ago that my 96-year-old father-in-law declared that he liked my Turkey Dressing better than his wife’s dressing. He’s such a soft-spoken man that I didn’t know he was that brave even though he served in WWII and the Korean War.
I always make extra dressing to make sure I have plenty left to make this Leftover Turkey Casserole. After all of the cooking, I do in preparation for Thanksgiving, I want something quick, easy and delicious.
How long is leftover turkey good for?
According to CDC, refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold until then. They have a lot of handling tips that are very helpful as well.
It’s important to use your leftover turkey and stuffing as soon as possible. Most leftovers can be kept for three to four days in the fridge. If you have more food than you plan to eat within four days, freeze it within two hours after it’s cooked.
When you’re ready to eat your leftovers, reheat them to an internal temperature of 74 C (165 F), measured by a digital food thermometer. Use frozen leftovers within 1 to 2 months.
I don’t use a lot of canned ingredients, but this turkey casserole recipe is the exception. I grab two cans of cream of chicken soup when I’m grabbing all of the other ingredients that I need for the Holiday.
Leftover Turkey Casserole Ingredients:
- Cooked turkey – Shred or chop turkey. Use white, dark or a combination. Whatever you like.
- Bread Dressing (Stuffing if you like) Premade or leftover. Not the dry croutons.
- Cream of chicken soup – use low sodium since your leftovers have already been seasoned.
- Milk – I used skim but any is fine and found that it blends easier with the soup when it’s room temperature.
VARIATIONS & TIPS FROM THE COOK:
- This recipe works well with cooked chicken whether you bake it or buy a rotisserie chicken at the store.
- Turkey breasts are on sale and easy to freeze around the holidays. The leftovers will work great here.
- If you don’t have any leftover dressing you can use a small box of “Stove Top Dressing”.
- Add veggies! You will need to use vegetables that don’t have to cook very long such as frozen corn, peas, or green beans or saute them before you put this turkey casserole recipe together.
- Cream of Mushroom or Celery soup works well if that’s what’s in your cupboard.
- You can make a smaller amount if you don’t have a lot of leftovers or if you’re cooking for just a few. Use a smaller container and use only one can of soup.
- Bake this recipe in two freezable containers. Eat one and freeze the other for a rainy day.
What can you serve with Leftover Turkey Casserole?
If you have any leftover cranberry sauce, that would be amazing. Keep it simple! Here are a few ideas for you.
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Do you need some more leftover turkey recipe ideas?
You can substitute cooked turkey for any recipe that calls for chicken.
- Turkey a la King
- Turkey Chowder with Corn
- Homemade Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
- Turkey Salad Sliders
- Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Pin this delicious turkey casserole recipe!
A few items you may need to make the perfect Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
- Instant Read Thermometer – I use an instant-read thermometer for this recipe, for grilling, and even baking bread! I couldn’t function without one.
- Baking Dish – I’ve got this one and love it. It comes with a lid that makes taking and refrigerating my treats a lot easier.
If it’s more recipes for Thanksgiving leftover recipes you’re looking for, here are some great ones
- Baked Potato Cakes
- Fried Dressing Patties
- Deep-Fried Cornbread Dressing Balls
- Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches (Prime rib)
- Hot Turkey Sandwich
If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked turkey cubed or shredded
- 4 cups pre-made bread stuffing
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup low sodium
- 1 cup milk I used skim
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cover the bottom of the baking dish with the cooked turkey. Crumble the dressing over the top of the turkey.
- Mix the canned soup with the milk and pour over the dressing and turkey.
- Bake until bubbly, 40 to 60 minutes.
Video
Notes
- The milk blends easier with the soup when both are at room temperature.
- Chicken can be substituted for Turkey.
- Cream of Mushroom or Celery can be substitued for Chicken soup.
- You can use more or less turkey. Just make sure that it covers the bottom of the dish you use. The more you use the thicker the casserole will be.
- You can add vegetables to a variation to this dish.
- Leftovers can be frozen in an air-tight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
What is your favorite way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers? Are you the cook or the guest? Please share, you are my inspiration!
Hello,
Can you use cooked leftover rice instead of dressing?
I haven’t but I think that’s a GREAT idea, Paul.
Hi Julie — Hope you had a great holiday. I fixed the leftover turkey and dressing casserole, though it was with Swanson canned chicken breast chunks and Stovetop Stuffing mix — delicious. I divided the ingredients into two 8-inch pans — put the soup sauce on one, turkey gravy on the other. Hands down, the gravy was the winner — so much more flavor. My grandson almost licked the pan!!
If using stove top stuffing do I cook the stuffing first?
Yes, this recipe calls for already made stuffing.
I used your recipe. However. Instead of laying down the turkey first. I put a layer of mashed potatoes first. My kids even ate it lol.
That sounds delicious, Shaunte! It’s easy comfort food.
I didn’t see in the directions to stir it together. Assumed the liquid mixture would seep down through dressing and turkey. It didn’t and was very dry. I mixed it after cooking and it’s edible.
Not sure what I missed?
Hi Lori. Did you use leftover dressing or dressing croutons that hadn’t been cooked?
@Julie Menghini, do you use cooked stuffing or dry?
You want cooked Stephine.
Would it taste ok adding cheese to it as well??
I think a good cheddar would be delicious in this recipe, Ashley!
This is the best recipe that I have found to use leftover turkey with stuffing included! Super easy to throw together and I made it with homemade condensed cream of chicken soup, I don’t like can soups. I ate the leftovers without even warming up.
Almost makes me want to do another turkey with stuffing so that I can make this again, almost.
Thank you for this recipe!
Thank you, Barbara! We really love this recipe too and make it throughout the year with chicken.
Reluctantly tried this recipe, however, it was outstanding. Far better than the same old “egg noodles and cheese” casserole. Will definitely use this one again.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! I always make a big meal just so we can make this recipe. Thank you.
If making into 2 small pans how long to cook them ?
I’d cook it the same amount of time, Donna. Since everything is already cooked, your casseroles are done when they bubble on the edges.
We used your Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe for our Thanksgiving meal this year. It was absolutely wonderful!! So delicious and satisfying!! Thank you for this great recipe!! It will become our new tradition each Thanksgiving!!!
SO YUMMY! Such a great way to use the turkey!
Thank you!
This is such a great idea!! Can’t wait to make this with all the leftovers! So happy I saw this recipe 🙂
Thank you, Kathryn. So easy and delish.
I agree! I’m looking forward to making this!
Thank you, Linda! It’s so easy and delicious!
Can this be made in a crockpot?
I’ve never done it, Sandee and your dressing may become very soft. However, I don’t know why you couldn’t do it and heat it for 4 hours. If you try it please stop back and let me know how it goes. Our readers may be interested in this question as well. Thank you!
Does this get covered while baking?
Great question, Rebecca! I cover it for the first 30 minutes and then uncover it.
@Julie Menghini, perhaps this should’ve been mentioned in the directions as I didn’t see this til after I put it in the oven.
What didn’t you see, Rebecca?
Can this be cooked in a air fryer
I’ve never done so but I read that setting your air-fryer to 325F and cooking it for 3 to 5 minutes works well.
Can I use almond milk
Instead
Yes, you can. You can actually include any liquid.
How about frozen biscuits on top almost like a pot pie. I’m gonna try it and see what happens.
I like the way you think, Jeanne. Let me know how it comes out.
Fantastic recipe, super easy and tasty, thank you.
Thank you! I’m making this one tonight too!
If I use gravy rather than soup, do I still add the milk?
Great question, Lisa! You can use the gravy and don’t add additional milk unless you feel the consistency is thicker than the milk would be or that you don’t have enough gravy.
After combining all the ingredients do I have to bake it before freezing or can I freeze it in a glass casserole pan and save it in the freezer and cook/reheat for another time?
You don’t have to bake it first. You could go either way but if you’re not going to eat any of it just bake it when you’re ready to eat it.
Can you use canned vegetables?
I believe that would work Linda. Just be sure to drain them first. Great idea!
Enjoyed the recipe But it was a bit dry. Would probably prepare the stuffing before putting it on the turkey then put the soup and milk.
This recipe uses already made stuffing Alice. I hope you’ll give it another try.
So it’s in the oven now, but quick question. Wanted enough food for a pot luck so I doubled it. I used an uncooked turkey tenderloin but sliced it thin and laid on top if the dressing. Will that cook in the allotted time? It looks so plain on top think I’ll top with a little smoked Gouda cheese.
I’ve never made this with raw meat Marie, but since you sliced it thin it should be fully cooked by the time the casserole is hot and bubbly. I would test the meat with an instant-read thermometer to make sure it’s at 165F. Stop back and let me know how it worked. The Gouda is definitely taking it to a new level too!
Do you bake covered or uncovered?
Great question, Tara! I bake it uncovered and will add foil if it gets to brown but that doesn’t usually happen.
I would give this 10 stars if I could!!!! Thank you for sharing this
Thank you, Joann! We always look forward to this recipe after Thanksgiving!