Marry This Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole is an easy and hearty recipe, which is made with leftover stuffing and leftover turkey. It’s the perfect way to use up holiday leftovers, ready in about an hour.
Jump to RecipeThanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe Ingredients
All your holiday favorites in one dish.
- Salted butter, for the baking dish
- 4 cups leftover stuffing
- 4 cups chopped skinless leftover turkey (or use rotisserie chicken)
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped leftover green beans
- 1 1/2 cups leftover gravy
- 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese (about 2 oz.)
- Cranberry sauce, for serving
How To Make Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Layering for the perfect bite.
- Prep the Oven and Dish: Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425ºF. Generously butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Create the Stuffing Layer: Crumble your leftover stuffing into the prepared baking dish and gently pat it down to create an even crust on the bottom.
- Add Turkey and Green Beans: Scatter the chopped turkey and green beans evenly over the stuffing layer. Pour the leftover gravy all over the turkey and green beans.
- Prepare the Potato Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the leftover mashed potatoes and the egg yolk. Mix until they are smooth and well combined. The egg yolk will help the top get golden and crusty.
- Top and Bake: Spread the mashed potato mixture evenly over the turkey layer. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese all over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until the top is golden brown and bubbling, about 20 to 25 more minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving with cranberry sauce.
Recipe Tips
Make the most of your leftovers.
- What if my stuffing is very dry? If your leftover stuffing seems dry, you can moisten it with a few splashes of chicken broth before patting it into the baking dish. This will prevent the bottom layer from being too crumbly.
- Can I use different leftovers? Absolutely! This casserole is very flexible. Feel free to add a layer of leftover corn, roasted Brussels sprouts, or swap the turkey for leftover ham.
- How to prevent the top from browning too quickly? If you notice the cheese on top is getting too brown before the casserole is heated through, you can loosely place the foil back on top for the remainder of the baking time.
- My gravy is very thick, what should I do? Leftover gravy often thickens in the fridge. You can warm it gently in a saucepan or the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it to a pourable consistency before adding it to the casserole.
What To Serve With Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
It’s a meal in itself!
This casserole combines all the best parts of a holiday meal into one dish, so it doesn’t need much else. The best accompaniment is:
- A generous dollop of leftover cranberry sauce to provide a sweet and tart contrast.
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
How To Store Leftover Casserole
Saving the leftovers of your leftovers.
- Refrigerate: Cover the cooled casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer individual portions to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole. Cover it tightly in a freezer-safe dish and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Nutrition Facts
An estimated breakdown per serving.
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this is a great casserole to assemble a day in advance. Prepare all the layers in the baking dish, cover it tightly with foil, and store it in the refrigerator. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it’s heated all the way through.
Absolutely! Leftover mashed sweet potatoes would be a delicious and slightly sweeter topping. Prepare them with the egg yolk just as you would with the regular mashed potatoes.
If you’re short on leftover gravy, you can easily supplement it. Use a good quality jarred gravy or quickly whip up a packet of gravy mix according to the package directions to get the 1 1/2 cups needed for the recipe.
Try More Recipes:
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes45
minutes550
kcalA genius and delicious way to transform Thanksgiving leftovers into a single, hearty casserole with layers of stuffing, turkey, and cheesy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Butter for the dish
4 cups leftover stuffing
4 cups chopped leftover turkey
1 1/2 cups chopped leftover green beans
1 1/2 cups leftover gravy
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1 large egg yolk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Cranberry sauce, for serving
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Press the stuffing into the bottom of the dish to form a crust.
- Layer the turkey and green beans over the stuffing, then pour gravy over the top.
- In a separate bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with the egg yolk until smooth.
- Spread the potato mixture over the turkey layer and sprinkle with cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool slightly and serve with cranberry sauce.
Notes
- If your stuffing is dry, moisten it with a little chicken broth before layering.
- This recipe is highly adaptable to whatever leftovers you have on hand.
- Ensure the casserole is fully heated through before browning the top.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before cutting to help it set.
