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Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to use up your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey leftovers?

You could make a sandwich, or maybe a soup. But why not try something a little different this year and make a creamy casserole instead?

This recipe is perfect for using up any leftovers, and it’s so easy to put together.

You’ll love the rich and creamy flavor, and the best part is that it’s ready in just 30 minutes. So give this casserole a try – your family will love it!

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!
Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Why you will Love this Turkey Casserole

  • Great way to use up leftover turkey!
  • Hearty casserole dish that will fill your tummy.
  • Comfort food that will fill your heart
  • Simple recipe you can pull together in no time!
Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

What is the Best Pasta to Use to Make this Casserole?

The best pasta to use for this casserole is a short noodle:

  • Penne
  • Cavatappi
  • Fusilli
  • Rotini
  • Rigatoni
  • Ziti
  • Gemelli
  • Macaroni

Avoid long or flat pastas like spaghetti or lasagna. The short pastas typically hold onto creamy, cheesy sauces better and are better suited to casseroles.

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Variations on this Creamy Turkey Casserole

This is a really great basic recipe for a casserole but you can change things up, try this!

Use Chicken – Don’t wait for the holidays! This recipe works well with leftover chicken too!

Or Ham. Cooked ham is great here too, just cube it and throw it in.

Or Ground meat. No leftovers but love this dish? Ground turkey, chicken, or beef works too. You can even use sausage meat. This casserole is very versatile.

Use Leftover Veggies – Swap the frozen peas for leftover green beans,

Swap the Mozzarella – Try using a different cheese, or mix of cheeses to change the flavour. Cheddar, Havarti, or Pepper Jack are just a few delicious choices!

Add Bacon. Everything tastes better with bacon, and this casserole is no exception! Add cooked, crispy bacon to the top of the casserole.

Use cream of mushroom. Cream of mushroom works really well here too if that is what you have on hand.

Make it spicy. Throw in some chopped jalapenos or red pepper flakes!

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

How to Store Creamy Turkey Casserole

Store leftover turkey casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To freeze the leftovers, transfer them into a freezer bag or container and seal it well. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the leftovers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

To reheat, place in a 350 degree F oven in a casserole dish covered with foil until warmed through, about 25-30 minutes.

Ingredients for Turkey Casserole

About the Ingredients for Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole

Pasta – I used penne but any short pasta works. Make sure it is cooked to al dente and not beyond for best results.

Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter, if you use unsalted you may need to adjust the amount of additional salt.

Mushrooms – Just white or brown button mushrooms.

Soup – Cream of chicken soup gives the best flavour but you can use cream of mushroom in a pinch.

Milk – Whole milk will give the best flavour, but you can use any milk fat percentage you have on hand.

Seasoning – We use basil, garlic powder, onion powder and salt to season this casserole.

Cheese – Mozzarella cheese, you can definitely use more cheese if desired.

Turkey – Time to use up leftover turkey! You can use whatever you have left, a combination of white and dark meat is perfect for this dish.

Frozen Peas – You can also use frozen mixed vegetables.

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Looking for More Delicious Ways to Cook Turkey?

Check out some of my favourite ways to cook turkey!

Another way to use up leftover turkey is with a delicious homemade turkey soup. This one makes a flavourful bone broth in your slow cooker.

This Creamy Turkey & Corn Chili is a delicious twist on the classic dish. Turkey chili paired with a creamy sauce, corn and beans makes for a flavourful family meal.

This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is a healthy, flavourful gluten-free meal that can be made in one pot for your whole family to enjoy!

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

How to Make Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole

Yields: 6 servings | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 ⅓ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 cups cooked turkey
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Topping:

  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13” casserole dish and set aside.

Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside.

Sauteeing mushrooms in a pan.

Melt butter in a medium saute pan. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.

Pasta, turkey, peas, cheese and seasonings in a large bowl.

In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, cooked mushrooms, soup, milk, seasonings, turkey, frozen peas, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.

Assembling the casserole in the baking dish.

Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.

Mixing together the ingredients for the topping.

To make the topping, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and stir in the bread crumbs. Sprinkle topping in an even layer on the casserole.

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn oven settings to broil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole
Yield: 6 Servings

Creamy Leftover Turkey Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 ⅓ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 cups cooked turkey
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

For the Topping:

  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13” casserole dish and set aside.
2. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a medium saute pan. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.
4. In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, cooked mushrooms, soup, milk, seasonings, turkey, frozen peas, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
5. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
6. To make the topping, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and stir in the bread crumbs. Sprinkle topping in an even layer on the casserole.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn oven settings to broil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 494Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 889mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 33g

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Looking for a new way to use up leftover turkey? This delicious creamy leftover turkey casserole recipe will satisfy your whole family!

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