Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole is a warm, comforting way to transform your holiday leftovers into a brand-new meal. Combining mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and green beans, it’s an easy dish that saves time and reduces food waste. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.

A white plate holds a layered serving of a Thanksgiving meal. The bottom layer is creamy mashed potatoes with a smooth texture and light beige color. On top of this is a layer of green beans, a mix of whole and cut pods in a muted green shade. Surrounding the green beans and mashed potatoes is a layer of golden brown stuffing with a crumbly, slightly chunky texture. Sitting on the stuffing is a dollop of bright red and glossy cranberry sauce with visible pieces of whole cranberries, adding a shiny, juicy contrast. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a soft light enhancing the food's colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups mashed potatoes
  • 1 ½ cups turkey gravy (divided)
  • 2 cups turkey (shredded)
  • 2 cups stuffing
  • 1 cup green beans (drained)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons butter (divided into pats)
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 9×13 or 9×9 baking dish and set it aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with 1 cup of turkey gravy. Spread this mixture evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle the shredded turkey over the mashed potatoes, then pour the remaining ½ cup of gravy evenly on top.
  4. Step 4: Layer the stuffing and green beans over the turkey. If the stuffing seems dry, add up to ¼ cup of chicken broth to moisten it.
  5. Step 5: Dot the top with the pats of butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm with cranberry sauce on the side. Enjoy your delicious Thanksgiving leftovers in a new way!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts or crispy fried onions on top before baking.
  • Use leftover turkey breast and dark meat together for richer flavor.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, stir a splash of cream or milk into the mashed potatoes before spreading.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a layered serving of a casserole dish resting on two stacked white plates. The bottom layer is creamy white mashed potatoes with a smooth, thick texture. On top of this is a mix of tender green beans and shredded poultry in a light-colored sauce, showing a soft but slightly chunky texture. The next layer is a golden-brown crispy stuffing with visible herbs and small bits of bread, adding a crunchy texture. At the very top sits a bright red cranberry sauce, glossy and thick with whole cranberries, adding a vibrant pop of color. The plate is on a white marbled surface, with a white dish of extra cranberry sauce and a portion of the same casserole in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes! Substitute the turkey with cooked vegetables like mushrooms or roasted squash, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and vegetarian gravy.

What can I use instead of stuffing?

You can replace stuffing with cooked rice, quinoa, or breadcrumbs seasoned with herbs for a similar texture.

Print

Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole Recipe

A comforting and easy Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole that transforms your holiday scraps into a delicious layered dish. Combining mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, stuffing, and green beans, this casserole is baked to perfection and served with tangy cranberry sauce for a cozy meal.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base Layer

  • 2 ½ cups mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup turkey gravy (divided from total)

Protein Layer

  • 2 cups shredded turkey
  • ½ cup turkey gravy (remaining)

Vegetable & Stuffing Layer

  • 2 cups stuffing
  • 1 cup green beans (drained)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth (optional, to moisten stuffing)

Topping

  • 4 tablespoons butter (divided into pats)

Serving

  • 1 cup cranberry sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a 9×13 or 9×9 baking dish to prevent sticking and set it aside.
  2. Prepare Mashed Potato Layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with 1 cup of the turkey gravy until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish to form the base layer.
  3. Add Turkey and Gravy: Sprinkle the shredded turkey evenly over the mashed potato layer. Pour the remaining ½ cup of gravy over the turkey to keep the dish moist and flavorful.
  4. Layer Stuffing and Green Beans: Evenly spread the stuffing over the turkey layer, then add the drained green beans on top. If your stuffing feels dry, gently pour up to ¼ cup of chicken broth over the stuffing and beans to add moisture.
  5. Top with Butter and Bake: Place small pats of the butter evenly across the top of the casserole to melt during baking, adding richness. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
  6. Serve with Cranberry Sauce: Remove from oven and serve hot with cranberry sauce on the side for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Enjoy your comforting Thanksgiving leftovers casserole!

Notes

  • Use leftover turkey gravy for authentic flavor, or substitute with a store-bought turkey or chicken gravy.
  • If stuffing is very dry, do not skip adding chicken broth to prevent dryness in the casserole.
  • Feel free to add other leftover vegetables for extra texture, such as roasted carrots or peas.
  • Use a 9×9 dish for a thicker casserole; a 9×13 dish will yield thinner layers and shorter baking time.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven until warmed through.

Keywords: Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey casserole, leftover turkey recipe, comfort food, holiday casserole, mashed potato casserole, stuffing casserole

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating