The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole: Turn Holiday Extras Into a Delicious New Meal
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Staring at containers of Thanksgiving leftover casserole ingredients filling your fridge? This simple recipe is your answer to turning those holiday extras into a brand new dinner that your family will love.
This easy Thanksgiving casserole brings together all your favorite holiday flavors—tender turkey, savory stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, and sweet cranberry sauce—in one warming dish. It’s the perfect day after Thanksgiving recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes in the oven.
No fancy cooking skills needed, just layer everything in a baking dish and let the oven do the work. This leftover turkey recipe is so good, you might find yourself making extra sides on Thanksgiving just so you have enough for this casserole!
Ingredient Notes and Tips
Shredded Turkey (2-3 cups): Use white meat, dark meat, or a combination. If your turkey is a bit dry, the gravy will moisten it up perfectly.
Cranberry Sauce (¾ cup): Homemade or canned both work great. The sweetness balances the savory layers beautifully.
Mashed Potatoes (2 cups): Even cold, lumpy leftovers work fine. They’ll smooth out as they warm.
Corn (½ cup): Adds a pop of sweetness and color. Canned, frozen, or leftover corn all work.
Gravy (1 cup): Turkey or chicken gravy keeps everything moist. Store-bought works if you ran out of homemade.
Herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary): These give it that classic Thanksgiving flavor. Fresh herbs are wonderful, but dried work just as well.
Stuffing (2 cups): Any kind works—cornbread, herb, or sausage stuffing all taste amazing.
Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): The melted cheese on top makes it extra comforting and adds a golden crust.
Pro Tip: Use ingredients that are no more than 3-4 days old for the best taste and safety.
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
This simple Thanksgiving casserole comes together in minutes with easy layering:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar size).
Start with the turkey layer. Spread the shredded turkey evenly across the bottom of your dish. This creates a protein-packed foundation.
Add the cranberry sauce. Dollop spoonfuls over the turkey and spread gently. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even.
Layer the mashed potatoes. Spread them over the cranberry sauce like you’re frosting a cake. A spatula works great here.
Sprinkle the corn across the potato layer for little bursts of sweetness.
Pour the gravy evenly over everything. It will seep down through the layers and keep everything moist.
Add the herbs. Sprinkle the thyme, sage, and rosemary across the top.
Top with stuffing. Break up any large chunks and spread it evenly. This creates a delicious crispy topping.
Finish with cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the entire casserole.
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes until it’s heated all the way through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How to tell it’s done: The edges should be bubbling, the cheese should be golden, and when you insert a knife in the center, it should feel hot to the touch.
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Variations to Try
Add More Veggies: Toss in leftover green bean casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts, or cooked peas. Just layer them in with the corn.
Swap the Potatoes: Use sweet potato casserole instead of mashed potatoes for a sweeter twist. Use our Boursin Mashed Potatoes for a touch of garlic and herbs. Roasted potatoes work too—just chop them up first.
Try Different Cheese: Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a blend of Italian cheeses work wonderfully.
Make it Crispy: Add crushed crackers, fried onions, or panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Individual Portions: Make this in ramekins or muffin tins for single-serving casseroles. Reduce baking time to about 20 minutes.
Fresh Herb Garnish: Top with fresh thyme, parsley, or chives right before serving for a restaurant-quality look.
How to Store Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Refrigerator: Let the casserole cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: This casserole freezes beautifully! Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then foil, or freeze the whole thing in a freezer-safe container. It will last up to 3 months. Add a label with the date so you remember when you made it.
Reheating: For refrigerated casserole, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. For the whole dish, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes. For frozen casserole, thaw overnight in the fridge first, then reheat. You can also reheat from frozen—just add 15-20 minutes to the baking time and keep it covered with foil.
How to Serve It
This post-Thanksgiving dinner idea is hearty enough to serve on its own, but here are some tasty ways to round out the meal:
Keep it Simple: Serve with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Add Crunch: Pair with dinner rolls or crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious gravy.
Fresh Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, roasted carrots, or sautéed green beans make great sides.
Soup Pairing: A light soup like butternut squash or tomato soup makes a cozy combo.
Garnish Ideas: Top with fresh herbs, a dollop of sour cream, or extra cranberry sauce on the side.
This casserole is perfect for casual family dinners when everyone’s tired of cooking elaborate meals. Just scoop it onto plates and enjoy!
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for more ways to use up those Thanksgiving extras? Try these delicious recipes:
- Hot Turkey Sandwich – Turn leftover turkey into a creamy comfort food classic
- Turkey a la King – easy one-pot meal that comes together in 20 minutes
- Stuffing Patties – Transform leftover stuffing into crispy fried patties
- Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll – A quick roll that highlights those holiday flavors wrapped in Brie
- Mashed Potato Patties – Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside
- Leftover Turkey Casserole – One of your favorites year over year
Ready To Make It?
This Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole is proof that sometimes the best meals come from what’s already in your fridge. It’s cozy, it’s easy, and it makes everyone happy when they’re tired of traditional holiday fare. Whether you make it the day after Thanksgiving or freeze your leftovers to enjoy this comforting dish weeks later, it’s a recipe you’ll want to keep in your collection year after year.
Did you try this recipe? We’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and rate this recipe with 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to let us know what you think. Did you add your own twist? Share your variations in the comments to inspire other home cooks!
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Equipment
- 7×11 Baking Dish or 9×9 (2.5 quart)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded turkey 2-3 cups
- ¾ cup cranberry sauce
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- ½ cup corn
- 1 cup gravy chicken or turkey
- ⅛ tsp dried thyme double if fresh
- ⅛ tsp dried sage double if fresh
- ⅛ tsp dried rosemary double if fresh
- 2 cups prepared stuffing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Add the turkey to the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer with the remainder of the ingredients.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes uncovered until heated through.
Notes
- You can add peas or/and green beans to the casserole.
- Instead of mashed potatoes you can use sweet potato casserole or roasted potatoes.
- You can top the casserole with fresh herbs, crispy fried onions, or crackers.
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.
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