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:
![Top shot of Ingredients including shredded turkey, stuffing, chicken soup and milk](https://hostessatheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Copy-of-Landscape-Feature-680x453-1.png)
- 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!
What is your favorite way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers? Are you the cook or the guest? Please share, you are my inspiration!
Can you make this ahead of time and put in frig overnight, then cook the next day?
Yes, you can, Carol! Thank you for your question! Just bake it until it’s bubbly.
Could you use left over gravy instead of canned soup?
Absolutely! That would even be better IMHO.
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 .
I hope it turns out for you Brittany! We love this easy recipe.
Can you use mashed potatoes over the top
Absolutely, Lisa! That would be delicious!
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!
Thank you Sharon for your sweet positivity. We love this recipe and hope your family did too.
Easy and true comfort food. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for stopping by Donna! We love easy comfort food especially when we can use up what’s already in the fridge.
Hi there, if I want to make this with fresh chicken breast would I have to cook the chicken first?
Yes, you would Laurie or you could use a rotisserie chicken from the store. Thank you for stopping by!
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
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.
So prepare the stuffing first?
Yes. I’ll clarify the instructions. Thank you!
I have the same question. Should you cook the stove top/stuffing first, if you don’t have leftover stuffing?
Yes you should Nicole.
@Julie Menghini, so how many boxes of stuffing should I use?
This uses already made and leftover dressing. If you don’t have leftover dressing I would guess that one box is plenty. You want enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish. Also, you can always use a smaller baking dish if you have less. You just may have more of the other ingredients. It will still e delicious.
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!
Thank you, Donna! It’s easy and so delicious!
The turkey casserole look so good and I can’t wait to try it.
Thank you, Catherine!
This is absolute PERFECTION in leftover form! Ours won’t last long, that’s for sure!
Thank you, Erin! We love this easy recipe!
Mmmm! The perfect use of leftovers and so easy to make too. Printed and hung on the fridge. Perfect for next week!!
Thank you, Deb!
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!
That’s a great idea, Jennifer! Two birds…more for me!
So glad I found this recipe! I love trying new ways to use up my leftover turkey!
Thank you Brandi! We love it!
This is such a great way to use up extra thanksgiving turkey! Definitely trying it this year!
Thank you, Madi!
I will definitely be using this recipe the day after Thanksgiving this year. Thanks!
Thank you, Doris! It’s so easy and I hope you love it!
After all that cooking on thanksgiving, this is an easy dish to make with the leftovers! Will hit the spot after black friday shopping!
Thank you Nikki!
I’m buying turkey ahead of time, just to make this recipe! WOW it looks fabulous!
This will be nice for the leftovers…we plan on having a lot….thanks!
Thank you Paula!
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!
Thank you!
This looks good will try it this year.
We love it Tony! Let me know what you think!
Such an easy leftovers recipe! I think it would be great with leftover green beans, corn, and mashed potatoes too.
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!
Printed for my after Thanksgiving feast! Love finding new ways to use up yummy Thanksgiving leftovers!
Thanks, Karen! It is definitely one of our go-to recipes after the holidays. It’s great with chicken too!
Very easy recipe for left overs. Thanks!
Very easy! Thank you for stopping by!