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Home » Recipes » Leftover Turkey Casserole – Only 3 Steps!

Leftover Turkey Casserole – Only 3 Steps!

November 10, 2019 Updated: November 13, 2020 By Julie Menghini 47 Comments

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Two photo collage showing a close up of a turkey dressing casserole scooped out on a white plate on a gold napkin and a photo of the white baking dish of the casserole

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!

3/4 view of a turkey casserole in a white dish showing creamy turkey and dressing with a spoon dipping in.

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 USDA, refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold until then. They have a lot of handling tips that’s 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 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:

Top shot of Ingredients including shredded turkey, stuffing, chicken soup and milk
  • Cooked turkey – Shred or chop turkey. Use white, dark or a combination. Whatever you like.
  • Bread Dressing (Stuffing if you like)
  • 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.

There’s a video in the recipe card for your convenience.

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.

  • 3/4 view of cooked apple pie filling in a metal bowl with 3 fresh apples behind it sitting on a blue stripped towel.
    2
    Homemade Apple Pie Filling
  • Close up side view of Pineapple Cherry Fluff with another bowl in the background
    Pineapple Cherry Fluff
  • A whipped cream salad filled with fruit cocktail and cherries in a white bowl on top of a pink napkin
    Tropical Fruit Cocktail Salad
  • 3/4 angled of a molded Frozen Cranberry Salad sitting on a white plate over a red striped towel.
    Frozen Cranberry Salad

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!

Chunks of leftover turkey and dressing in creamy chicken soup on a white plate sitting on a gold napkin and a green striped napkin with the title \"Leftover Turkey Casserole\" over the top.

A few items you may need to make the perfect Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

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  • 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
Chunks of leftover turkey and dressing in creamy chicken soup on a white plate sitting on a gold napkin and a green striped napkin with the title "Leftover Turkey Casserole" over the top.
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5 from 13 votes

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

Leftover Turkey Casserole repurposes leftover turkey and stuffing into one easy recipe. This one-dish casserole is quick, creamy, and delicious.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 8
Author Julie Menghini
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cooked turkey cubed or shredded
  • 4 cups 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.
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. Please calculate your own nutritional information if you want it exact to what you make and use my calculations as a guide only.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1111mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 543IU | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 3mg
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.
Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @hostessatheart or tag #hostessatheart!

What is your favorite way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers? Are you the cook or the guest? Please share, you are my inspiration!

Main dishes· Recipes· Turkey

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Comments

  1. Brittany Turner says

    January 16, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    I made this tonight and didnt realize the stuffing had to be precooked fingers crossed it turns out ok ! It sounds awesome and I know we will like it .

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      January 17, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      I hope it turns out for you Brittany! We love this easy recipe.

      Reply
  2. Lisa rohloff says

    December 27, 2020 at 10:34 am

    Can you use mashed potatoes over the top

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      December 27, 2020 at 12:15 pm

      Absolutely, Lisa! That would be delicious!

      Reply
  3. Sharon White says

    November 30, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    I have this in my oven as we speak and am giving this five stars before we taste it! It is so quick and easy that I can put up my feet until it finishes cooking!! With the ingredients I know everyone will love it! Thanks for this exceptional recipe that I will be making with chicken after the thanksgiving leftovers are gone!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      December 1, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      Thank you Sharon for your sweet positivity. We love this recipe and hope your family did too.

      Reply
  4. Donna Adams says

    April 18, 2020 at 9:52 am

    Easy and true comfort food. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      April 19, 2020 at 10:18 am

      Thank you for stopping by Donna! We love easy comfort food especially when we can use up what’s already in the fridge.

      Reply
  5. Laurie says

    March 30, 2020 at 11:26 am

    Hi there, if I want to make this with fresh chicken breast would I have to cook the chicken first?

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      March 30, 2020 at 5:57 pm

      Yes, you would Laurie or you could use a rotisserie chicken from the store. Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  6. Kristen says

    November 30, 2019 at 10:32 am

    This looks great! I didn’t have any stuffing left however I have some boxed stuffing. Should I prepare the boxed stuffing on the stovetop first and then add it to the baking dish? or just add the ingredients straight away? Sorry if that is a silly question? lol

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      December 1, 2019 at 8:30 am

      Yes! That works great Kristen. That’s not a silly question at all and using the boxed stuffing and a rotisserie chicken makes it a meal you can make all year long.

      Reply
      • Lorrie Koenings says

        December 28, 2019 at 5:17 pm

        So prepare the stuffing first?

        Reply
        • Julie Menghini says

          December 29, 2019 at 8:25 pm

          Yes. I’ll clarify the instructions. Thank you!

          Reply
          • Nicole Burns says

            February 7, 2021 at 11:15 am

            I have the same question. Should you cook the stove top/stuffing first, if you don’t have leftover stuffing?

          • Julie Menghini says

            February 8, 2021 at 7:49 am

            Yes you should Nicole.

  7. Donna Porter says

    November 28, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    How much easier can a recipe be??? Now I now what to do with my left over turkey! I can not wait to try this tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 29, 2019 at 2:16 pm

      Thank you, Donna! It’s easy and so delicious!

      Reply
  8. Catherine A Smith says

    November 23, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    The turkey casserole look so good and I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 23, 2019 at 6:46 pm

      Thank you, Catherine!

      Reply
  9. Erin Parker says

    November 20, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    This is absolute PERFECTION in leftover form! Ours won’t last long, that’s for sure!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 21, 2019 at 7:56 am

      Thank you, Erin! We love this easy recipe!

      Reply
  10. Deb Clark says

    November 20, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    Mmmm! The perfect use of leftovers and so easy to make too. Printed and hung on the fridge. Perfect for next week!!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 21, 2019 at 7:56 am

      Thank you, Deb!

      Reply
  11. Jennifer Ann Stewart says

    November 19, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    I love that john cooks it on the grill! We usually deep fry ours so I am used to having my oven free. Plus we learned early on to make two because once we fry one we have it out while the second one cooks. That first bird gets picked almost clean and we enjoy the second one at dinner. But I love having lots of leftovers once I really pick all the meat off the bones. I am so looking forward to having this casserole after the holiday!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 21, 2019 at 7:53 am

      That’s a great idea, Jennifer! Two birds…more for me!

      Reply
  12. Brandi Burgess says

    November 18, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    So glad I found this recipe! I love trying new ways to use up my leftover turkey!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 19, 2019 at 10:16 am

      Thank you Brandi! We love it!

      Reply
  13. Madi says

    November 18, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    This is such a great way to use up extra thanksgiving turkey! Definitely trying it this year!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 19, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Thank you, Madi!

      Reply
  14. Doris Huddleston says

    November 18, 2019 at 10:29 am

    I will definitely be using this recipe the day after Thanksgiving this year. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 18, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you, Doris! It’s so easy and I hope you love it!

      Reply
  15. Nikki says

    November 18, 2019 at 9:59 am

    After all that cooking on thanksgiving, this is an easy dish to make with the leftovers! Will hit the spot after black friday shopping!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 18, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you Nikki!

      Reply
  16. Kathleen says

    November 17, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    I’m buying turkey ahead of time, just to make this recipe! WOW it looks fabulous!

    Reply
  17. Paula Flinn says

    November 17, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    This will be nice for the leftovers…we plan on having a lot….thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 17, 2019 at 9:09 pm

      Thank you Paula!

      Reply
  18. Michaela Kenkel says

    November 17, 2019 at 8:22 am

    I saw this one facebook last week, and wouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to make it! I bought a rotisserie chicken and made it for dinner this week! LOL. my family LOVED it! will be having it again the weekend after Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 17, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  19. Tony Platz says

    November 16, 2019 at 2:19 pm

    This looks good will try it this year.

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 17, 2019 at 12:59 pm

      We love it Tony! Let me know what you think!

      Reply
  20. Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls says

    November 16, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Such an easy leftovers recipe! I think it would be great with leftover green beans, corn, and mashed potatoes too.

    Reply
  21. Michele says

    November 16, 2019 at 10:35 am

    I can hardly wait for thanksgiving to make this again. I had chicken so I did a test run this week and wow…. It was crazy good comfort food. So warm, filling and full of all of the flavors that my family loves!

    Reply
  22. KarenM says

    November 15, 2019 at 8:57 am

    Printed for my after Thanksgiving feast! Love finding new ways to use up yummy Thanksgiving leftovers!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 15, 2019 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks, Karen! It is definitely one of our go-to recipes after the holidays. It’s great with chicken too!

      Reply
  23. kunstkitchen says

    November 10, 2019 at 10:54 am

    Very easy recipe for left overs. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie Menghini says

      November 10, 2019 at 6:23 pm

      Very easy! Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply

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