This Leftover Turkey Casserole is an easy way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a completely different meal. Tender pieces of cooked turkey are layered with stuffing and covered with a creamy mixture of condensed cream of chicken soup and milk before baking until hot and bubbly.
It’s especially useful the day after Thanksgiving, when the refrigerator is full of turkey and stuffing but nobody wants to eat the exact same plate again. Everything goes into one baking dish, making this a simple, comforting dinner with very little prep.
Why This Casserole Works So Well With Leftovers
Turkey and stuffing can become dry when reheated on their own. Here, the soup and milk mixture adds moisture while the casserole heats in the oven.
The result is softer stuffing, juicy turkey, and a creamy sauce that brings the two together. It’s also flexible enough to accommodate whatever amount of leftover turkey you have.
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- A baking dish
- Instant Read Thermometer
Ingredients
- 6 cups Cooked turkey cut into pieces
- 4 cups Pre-made bread stuffing
- 2 cans Low-sodium cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup Milk skim milk works fine
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F. Grease the baking dish with cooking spray.
- Put the turkey in the dish, then spread the stuffing over it.
- Mix the cream of chicken soup and milk in a bowl.
- Pour this mix over the stuffing and turkey in the dish.
- Bake for 40 to 60 minutes until it's bubbly and smelling delicious!
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- Let the milk and soup warm up a bit before mixing.
- If you don’t have turkey? Chicken works too!
- You can swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or celery.
- Add more or less turkey depending on what you like.
- Want to add veggies? Go for it!
- Got leftovers? Freeze them for later in a sealed container.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 500 kcal |
| Protein | 34g |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 968mg |
| Potassium | 477mg |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Calcium | 262mg |
How to Keep the Casserole From Drying Out
The creamy soup mixture is what keeps this casserole from becoming a dry collection of leftovers. Make sure you spread it evenly rather than concentrating it in one area.
If your stuffing is particularly dry, you can also make sure it is evenly distributed before pouring over the soup mixture.
Keep an eye on the casserole toward the end of the baking time. The recipe gives a range of 40 to 60 minutes because the exact time can vary depending on the depth and shape of the baking dish and how cold the leftovers are when they go into the oven.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
This casserole is intentionally flexible, making it perfect for the days after Thanksgiving.
- Use chicken: If you don’t have enough leftover turkey, cooked chicken works as a substitute.
- Change the soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup can replace the cream of chicken soup.
- Add vegetables: Peas, carrots, green beans, or other leftover cooked vegetables can be added to the casserole.
- Adjust the turkey: Use more or less turkey depending on how much you have available.
What to Serve With Turkey Casserole
Because this dish already contains turkey, stuffing, and a creamy sauce, you don’t need much alongside it.
A simple green salad or roasted vegetable makes a nice contrast to the rich casserole.
And if you still have leftover turkey gravy, spooning some over the finished casserole adds another layer of Thanksgiving flavor.
Make It With Thanksgiving Leftovers
This recipe is particularly useful because the ingredients can already be sitting in your refrigerator.
Instead of trying to recreate Thanksgiving dinner from scratch, simply layer the leftover turkey and stuffing, mix the canned soup with milk, and let the oven do the work.
It’s also a good way to use stuffing that has dried out slightly. The creamy sauce provides moisture as everything reheats.
Storing and Freezing Leftovers
Allow leftover casserole to cool appropriately, then transfer it to a sealed container and refrigerate.
The recipe also notes that leftovers can be frozen in a sealed container for later. For the best quality, portioning the casserole before freezing can make reheating individual servings more convenient.
When reheating previously cooked turkey casserole, heat it thoroughly and check that the center reaches 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes. The recipe notes that cooked chicken can be substituted for the turkey. - Can I use leftover homemade stuffing?
Absolutely. Homemade leftover stuffing works well in place of prepared stuffing. - Can I add vegetables?
Yes. The recipe specifically leaves room for adding vegetables. Leftover cooked vegetables are an easy way to add more variety to the casserole. - Can I use another cream soup?
Yes. Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup can be substituted for cream of chicken soup. - Why is my casserole dry?
The stuffing may have absorbed a lot of moisture, or the creamy mixture may not have been distributed evenly. Make sure the soup and milk mixture covers the casserole well before baking. - Can I freeze leftover turkey casserole?
Yes. The recipe notes that leftovers can be frozen in a sealed container for later use. - What temperature should the casserole reach?
Since this casserole contains previously cooked turkey, the center should reach 165°F when reheated.
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The Freshman Cook started as a place to keep track of recipes I wanted to make again. Somewhere along the way, it grew into a collection of meals that friends requested, desserts that disappeared too quickly, and weeknight dinners that made life a little easier.
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