Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
This comforting Leftover Turkey Casserole is a perfect way to repurpose your cooked turkey and vegetables into a creamy, cheesy dish. Packed with hearty cornbread chunks, tender turkey, and mixed vegetables all baked in a rich mozzarella and gravy sauce, it’s an ideal family-friendly meal to enjoy any time of the year.
- Author: Natalie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 cup turkey gravy
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cornbread, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3 cups chopped cooked turkey meat
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped frozen green beans
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Melt the butter and make roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 1/4 cup flour and whisk continuously for 1 minute to create a smooth roux base for the sauce.
- Add liquids and cheese: Slowly whisk in 1 cup turkey gravy, 1 cup whole milk, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Assemble the casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine 3 cups of cornbread chunks, 3 cups chopped cooked turkey, 1/2 cup frozen peas, 1 cup chopped carrots, and 1 cup chopped frozen green beans evenly. Pour the prepared gravy mixture over the ingredients, making sure everything is coated well.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish with foil or a lid and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the covering and bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown the top and achieve a slightly crispy texture on the surface.
Notes
- Ensure the turkey is pre-cooked and chopped for easy assembly.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the milk slightly or add more flour to the roux.
- Frozen vegetables can be substituted with fresh vegetables, but adjust baking time as needed.
- Leftover cornbread works perfectly in this recipe, saving time and adding great texture.
- Covering the casserole during the majority of baking keeps the moisture in, preventing dryness.
Keywords: leftover turkey, casserole, turkey recipe, cornbread casserole, baked casserole, comfort food, Thanksgiving leftovers