After a busy holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s a dilemma to deal with plenty of leftover roast turkey. Do you know that you can transform the leftovers into a hearty, comfort meal like Turkey Casserole for an unforgettable meal?
Also known as Turkey Pasta Casserole, this dish combines turkey with pasta, vegetables, and cheese. What you’ll get is a savory, rich meal that’s a perfect comfort food during weeknight dinners, potlucks, and any special occasion.
Rich, Creamy, And Oh-So-Dreamy Pasta Casserole
Leftovers on Thanksgiving Day might be my favorite part about the meal. This turkey casserole is perfect for using up our leftover turkey meat.
Instead of throwing away your leftover Thanksgiving turkey, you can transform it into a new, exciting meal. Throw in some of your leftover vegetables, cheese, and pasta, and you have a hearty meal that comforts your soul during the colder months.
The best part is this pasta recipe is quick and easy to make. You only need to combine all ingredients in a baking dish, then bake for 20 minutes. This makes the baked pasta perfect for a busy weeknight when your family craves a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
If you want more casserole main dish recipes, I recommend Layered Cheesy Slow Cooker Mexican Casserole With Ground Beef and Easy Chicken And French Onion Soup Casserole.
Ingredients Needed
To make a delicious turkey casserole, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Turkey: I use my roasted turkey Thanksgiving leftovers when making this casserole dish, as they already come seasoned with flavors. To provide different textures, I use both the tender dark and lean white meat. You can also opt for pre-cooked turkey breast that’s available in your local deli.
- Pasta: To ensure that the sauce and meat meld together with the pasta, look for short, sturdy shapes with a large surface area or grooves like penne, rotini, and fusilli. Try mixing many types of pasta for different textures.
- Mixed vegetables: For your convenience, choose frozen mixed vegetables at your local grocery store. We’ll be adding a creamy sauce, so you want a mix of firm vegetables like carrots, corn, and peas that stay in shape after baking.
- Cheddar cheese: You’ll want a high-quality cheddar cheese that melts well on the casserole. Check the ingredients and make sure that you don’t find any preservatives. For a well-balanced flavor, choose mild to medium cheddar.
- Parmesan cheese: For maximum flavor, purchase a block of Parmesan that you can grate yourself. You can choose pre-grated Parmesan for convenience, but make sure that it’s high-quality so as not to compromise the flavor.
- Broth: Turkey broth is the ideal, but chicken broth is a great alternative. You can make bone broth for a richer taste, but this can be tasking. For your convenience, choose ready-to-use liquid broth with fewer preservatives and lower sodium.
- Lemon juice: A freshly squeezed lemon juice is your best choice for that bright, refreshing flavor. To yield two tablespoons of lemon juice, use a medium-sized lemon.
- Breadcrumbs: If you want a crispy crust for your casserole, choose Panko breadcrumbs. You can make fresh breadcrumbs from leftover bread, but store-bought breadcrumbs are more convenient. Choose plain or seasoned to suit your preference.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Turkey Casserole
You can easily make a flavorful turkey pasta casserole with these steps.
Mix To Make The Casserole
- In a large bowl, combine shredded turkey, cooked pasta, frozen vegetables, and grated cheddar.
- Stir in broth and lemon juice for the sauce.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the turkey mixture.
Get Ready To Bake
- Transfer the casserole into a baking dish.
- Spread the mixture out evenly.
Add The Toppings
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the casserole for a crispy finish.
- Add some Parmesan on top.
Bake The Casserole
- Place the casserole in a preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese topping is golden and melted.
- Serve to enjoy!
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Success
- To ensure that the pasta doesn’t become mushy after baking, cook the pasta al dente or slightly firm.
- Shred the turkey to allow it to distribute throughout the casserole evenly.
- Reduce the salt if you use broth with high sodium.
- Season the turkey, whether it’s leftover or fresh, with some herbs and spices if it tastes plain.
- increase the oven’s temperature from 360 to 375 degrees F during the last 5 minutes to achieve a crispier top.
Variation Ideas
- You can make this turkey pasta casserole recipe from scratch. Use fresh cooked turkey for the best flavor or frozen cooked turkey if you’re tight on the budget.
- For a different twist, you can try ground turkey. Cook the meat with garlic, onions, and herbs for flavor before adding to the mix.
- If you want to make this casserole dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- I use frozen vegetables, but you can chop fresh vegetables at your own discretion. Use spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or any vegetables of your choice. Just saute the vegetables with some butter before adding to the mix.
- This baked pasta dish requires dried pasta but you can use fresh pasta, like fresh egg noodles, if you want it softer, but you need to cook them in a shorter time.
Storing Leftovers
What I like about this casserole recipe is you can make a large batch ahead of time. You can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. But first, cool the casserole to room temperature to prevent the dish from getting mushy.
Freezer: Store the leftovers in a freezer-safe, airtight container. If you’re using the baking dish, double-cover it with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Before you reheat in the oven for 45 minutes, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Refrigerator: Cover the casserole in a baking dish with an airtight lid or tightly wrap the portions with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can reheat the stored leftovers in a preheated oven covered with aluminum foil for 15-20 minutes. For a quicker option, microwave the dish covered with a paper towel in 2-minute intervals.
More Turkey Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Easy Baked Turkey Pasta Casserole
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb roasted turkey, shredded
- 1 lb cooked pasta
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, carrots, peas, corn, etc.
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Set your oven to 360°F (180°C).
- In a large bowl, combine shredded turkey, cooked pasta, frozen vegetables, grated cheddar, broth, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, and stir until everything is evenly mixed.1/2 lb roasted turkey, 1 lb cooked pasta, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice, Salt and pepper
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan over the pasta mixture for a crunchy, cheesy topping.1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Broth: Use chicken, turkey, or even vegetable broth for extra flavor. You can also add a splash more broth if the pasta seems dry.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a mix of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs will give a crispier topping.
