Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole is a no-waste, easy-to-make dish that transforms your holiday leftovers into a flavorful and cozy meal. The layers of stuffing, turkey, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and melted cheese come together to create a hearty dish that is both comforting and satisfying. It’s perfect for the days following Thanksgiving when you’re looking to make the most of what you already have. Drizzle with gravy and serve with cranberry sauce for that complete Thanksgiving experience all over again!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cooking spray
- 3 cups leftover stuffing
- 4 cups chopped leftover roasted turkey
- 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables (or use mixed veggies, onions, celery, and/or carrots)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
Directions
- Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the leftover stuffing evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the leftover turkey, vegetables, and mayonnaise. Spoon this mixture over the stuffing and spread it evenly.
- Mix the leftover mashed potatoes and shredded Cheddar cheese together. Spread this mixture over the turkey layer.
- Sprinkle paprika over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the top is golden and bubbly.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 10
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Vegetables: If you don’t have leftover vegetables, you can use frozen mixed vegetables or sauté some onions, celery, and carrots for a fresh option.
- Cheese Options: Feel free to switch the shredded Cheddar with a different type of cheese such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a variation in flavor.
- Add Gravy: For extra richness, drizzle some leftover gravy over the casserole before baking or serve it on the side.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I make this casserole with non-leftover ingredients?
Yes! If you don’t have leftovers, you can make the casserole with fresh stuffing, roasted turkey, and mashed potatoes. Be sure to season them to taste.
2. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, this casserole can be frozen before or after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 40-50 minutes.
3. What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
If you prefer, you can replace mayonnaise with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
4. Can I add more vegetables?
Yes! You can add any leftover vegetables like green beans, corn, or even peas to the casserole for extra flavor and texture.
5. How can I make this casserole spicier?
To add a bit of spice, consider mixing in some diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes with the turkey and vegetable mixture.
6. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. When ready to cook, bake it as directed.
7. Is there a way to make this casserole lighter?
To lighten the dish, you can use reduced-fat mayo, turkey breast (instead of dark meat), and lower-fat cheese. You could also replace the mashed potatoes with a cauliflower mash.
8. How do I make sure the casserole doesn’t dry out?
Make sure to cover the casserole with foil while baking for the first 20 minutes to keep the moisture in. Then, uncover for the remaining baking time to allow the top to brown.
9. What should I serve with this casserole?
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you could serve it with a side of cranberry sauce, a fresh salad, or even some dinner rolls.
10. Can I make this casserole in a smaller dish?
Yes! You can adjust the recipe to fit a smaller baking dish. Just reduce the ingredients and bake accordingly.
Conclusion
This Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole is the perfect way to enjoy all your holiday favorites in one dish. With its comforting layers of stuffing, turkey, vegetables, and cheesy mashed potatoes, it’s a great way to repurpose your leftovers into something new and exciting. Quick to assemble and absolutely delicious, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite that you’ll look forward to making year after year.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole is the ultimate way to repurpose your holiday leftovers into a hearty, comforting meal. With layers of stuffing, turkey, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and melted cheese, it’s a delicious and satisfying dish that turns your Thanksgiving favorites into a flavorful casserole.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
3 cups leftover stuffing
4 cups chopped leftover roasted turkey
2 cups leftover cooked vegetables (or mixed veggies, onions, celery, carrots)
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
⅛ teaspoon ground paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread the leftover stuffing evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the leftover turkey, vegetables, and mayonnaise. Spoon this mixture over the stuffing and spread evenly.
- Mix the mashed potatoes and shredded Cheddar cheese together. Spread this mixture over the turkey layer.
- Sprinkle paprika over the top.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and golden on top.
Notes
If you don’t have leftover vegetables, you can use frozen mixed vegetables or sauté fresh onions, celery, and carrots.
For different flavor profiles, swap the Cheddar cheese for mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
Drizzle leftover gravy over the casserole before baking for extra richness, or serve on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
