10 Casseroles That Use up Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey 

By Melanie Fincher
September 23, 2020

Everyone loves Thanksgiving leftovers, but after a day or two you start to want anything except turkey. These comforting casseroles turn bland and boring turkey into completely new creations. From classic turkey tetrazzini to new, creative casseroles, these are guaranteed to get you out of the post-holiday slump. Here are 10 casseroles made with leftover turkey. 

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Turkey Tetrazzini II

Credit: Amanda
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There's no doubt about it, turkey tetrazzini is the ultimate Thanksgiving leftover food. It's creamy and cheesy, and sure to get you out of your post-holiday slump. Reviewer ISHKABIBBLEMOM says, "This is a good comfort food...super easy to put together. Just what I needed to use up my turkey leftovers but it made a LOT. I'd advise baking it in a 9x13 baking dish or dividing it between two smaller dishes and freezing one for later."

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Chef John's Turkey Noodle Casserole

Credit: Tyla Ward
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"This delicious casserole is for leftover leftovers. I don't know about you, but after a few days of eating Thanksgiving leftovers, no matter how tasty they originally were, I want something that makes me forget there's even turkey in it," says Chef John. "Since ingredients like garam masala, spicy cheese, and peppers aren't typically used in the meal, they work wonderfully here to disguise the last of a holiday bird."

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Turkey Casserole

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"This is delicious cheesy goodness in a turkey casserole," says reviewer Deb C. Pimento peppers give this casserole a mild bite. 

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Thanksgiving in a Dish


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Leftover mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing are all given new life in this Thanksgiving casserole. "Love that it used up my holiday leftovers," says reviewer melissa. "I added cranberry sauce slices between the turkey and the potatoes."

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Wild Rice and Leftover Turkey Casserole

Credit: Rebekah Rose Hills
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This basic recipe uses wild rice and cream of mushroom soup to turn turkey into a creamy, comfort-food casserole. 

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Turkey Tamale Pie

Credit: Chef John
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"Even if your turkey is perfectly cooked, the reheated leftovers can be a little dry and uninteresting," says Chef John. "This tamale pie will rescue the last remnants of your bird in a significantly more exciting and flavorful way than the usual soup."

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Green Turkey and Cheese Casserole

Credit: bd.weld
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This simple casserole requires just three ingredients: cooked turkey, cheddar cheese, and spinach. "Surprisingly delicious; I added some scallions to really give this dish some extra flavor," says reviewer Dorlene. "I loved the crispness of the spinach."

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Thanksgiving Leftover Stuffed Shells

Credit: Soup Loving Nicole
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 "I made this for our family Thanksgiving Leftover Cook-Off. It is cheesy, baked stuffed shells using leftover turkey, stuffing, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, grated Swiss cheese, and leftover gravy. Very easy, but very rich," says recipe creator Ellen Bancroft Ziegler. 

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Gobbler Cobbler

Credit: Bibi
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Put leftover turkey and veggies to use in one casserole. The biscuit-like topping makes this the ideal cold-weather casserole. 

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Turkey Divan

Credit: bikerfamily
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This creamy and cheesy casserole is elevated with just a touch of white wine. "I think this recipe will be a 'go to' for all our Thanksgiving leftover needs," says reviewer Nancy926.

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