Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julie Menghini

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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 Recipe (1)

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 onHow to Spatchco*ck and Carve your Thanksgiving Turkeyas 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:

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2)
  • 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.

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (3)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (4)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (5)
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (6)

Do you need some more leftover turkey recipe ideas?

You can substitute cooked turkey for any recipe that calls for chicken.

Pin this delicious turkey casserole recipe!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (7)

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

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (8)

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe

Author: Julie Menghini

Leftover Turkey Casserole repurposes leftover turkey and stuffing into one easy recipe. This one-dish casserole is quick, creamy, and delicious.

4.48 from 119 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword: leftover turkey casserole, turkey casserole recipe

Servings: 8

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.

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: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 22gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 1111mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 543IUCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg

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.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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

Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What is turkey tetrazzini made of? ›

It's a baked pasta recipe using a creamy, cheesy white wine sauce as the base. Cooked spaghetti, mushrooms, green peas, black olives, turkey, and bacon make up the bulk of the casserole and then it gets topped with panko breadcrumbs.

What to do with dry leftover turkey breast? ›

In addition to gravy, you can also save dry turkey with a little chicken (or even better, turkey) stock or broth. Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

Is turkey still good after 7 days in fridge? ›

Snyder points to the USDA FoodKeeper app for best guidance: The tool notes that refrigerated, cooked turkey should be eaten within 4 days. Eat frozen turkey leftovers within 6 months for premier quality.

Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›

If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

What does tetrazzini mean in English? ›

Tetrazzini in American English

(ˌtetrəˈzini, Italian ˌtetʀɑːtˈtsini) adjective. (often lc) served over pasta with a cream sauce, often flavored with sherry, sprinkled with cheese, and browned in the oven.

What is pasta called in turkey? ›

Erişte or Turkish Pasta are a type of noodle (or pasta) found in Turkey, Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan. The name has Persian origins, stemming from the word reshteh, meaning 'strips' – by which they're still known in Iran today. In Turkey, erişte are traditionally made in the autumn and eaten in the winter.

How to make leftover turkey juicy? ›

Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

Why does leftover turkey taste better? ›

What you're doing is allowing the cooking to continue, but what you're really doing is allowing the protein, the collagen, the various juices to sort of cool down and solidify and trap the flavor. As you wait, the aromas diffuse through this big bird and even the inside tastes better.

Why is my turkey tough and chewy? ›

Undercooked turkey can contain harmful bacteria, posing a risk to food safety. On the other hand, if you overcook a turkey it's going to be too tough and chewy! The best way to avoid this is by taking out the turkey right before the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can I eat turkey that is a week old? ›

In general, the refrigerator will slow the growth enough that cooked meat can be kept safely for 3-5 days, and the freezer enough that cooked meat can be stored for 2-3 months. If you've already kept the meat in the fridge for a week, it is already unsafe to eat. Freezing it now will not reverse that.

Is it OK to leave a frozen turkey in the fridge for a week? ›

So, for example, if you're cooking a 20-24-pound bird, you need to stick it in the fridge to thaw at least six days before you'll be eating it (so it has time to fully thaw), and no more than eight days before you'll be eating it (to stay within that two-day window).

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Can you use 5 day old turkey in soup? ›

Leftover turkey is good for 3-4 days after it has been cooked. Any time after that becomes a food safety issue.

How can you tell if turkey is spoiled? ›

Check if your turkey has a bad sour-smelling odor to know if it's spoiled. Toss out your ground turkey if it has a slimy texture. Get rid of ground turkey if it darkens or dulls to a dark gray color, a sure sign it's gone bad.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days mumsnet? ›

The leftover turkey can stay wrapped in the fridge for around 4-5 days, but keep checking to make sure it hasn't gone bad because people's fridge temps and hygiene is different.

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