11 Turkey Casserole Recipes That Will Make You Thankful for Your Leftovers

Turkey casserole is a fantastic dish to serve when you have leftover turkey breast on hand. Whether you make a cornbread crust or layer in some poblano peppers and tortillas, turkey meat is a super versatile ingredient that makes any dish feel just a little bit more hearty and comforting. The next time you're tempted to reach for your go-to chicken casserole recipe, consider turkey, instead. You don't even have to wait for Thanksgiving — turkey casseroles are a crowd-pleasing dish all year long.

If you’ve got leftover turkey in the refrigerator, this hearty dish is a great way to repurpose it. Cubed or shredded turkey combines with green peas, Monterey jack cheese and spaghetti for a casserole that’s too good to pass up. This dish is particularly perfect if you have guests staying with you for a few days after the big meal — whip it up in less than an hour and your family will never know it’s leftovers in disguise.

Leftover turkey gets transformed into a bubbling, cheesy pasta casserole with just enough kick from pickled jalapenos in this inventive recipe. Not your typical holiday leftovers—flavors like ground cumin and jalapeno brighten up this dish with zesty, bold and vibrant flavor. Serve with a sprinkle of chopped scallions.

Thanksgiving leftovers were made to be piled into a casserole. This recipe is a one-pot way to use them all up—everything from the stuffing to the cranberry sauce gets used. And don’t worry if the quantities don’t match up exactly—this recipe is super versatile and totally customizable, so it’ll taste just as great no matter what you have on hand.

Everybody loves leftover turkey and stuffing sandwiches, but what about second-day pot pies? These cute little treats are an inventive way to repurpose leftovers, and the crispy, buttery crunch makes for a great complement to the creamy filling. Ready in under an hour, your family will be begging you to make these all year round—leftovers or not.

Traditional Gullah-Geechie cooking is all about one-pot meals, and this comforting rice casserole is the perfect example of that. Instead of broccoli, which you'll commonly find in casseroles, this recipe employs a combination of shredded Brussels sprouts, carrots and red bell pepper for color and flavor. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftovers, repurposing them into an inventive and nourishing new meal.

When there’s leftover turkey and stuffing to be eaten, there’s only one way to do it: pile it into a casserole dish! This fun and flavorful recipe puts the tastiest leftovers to good use, but it tastes just as good when made fresh. If you’re whipping up a hearty holiday meal and want to make sure you have a little extra on the table to please hungry guests, this makes a fantastic side dish.

This recipe calls for cooked turkey breast, but you could easily swap in rotisserie chicken or ground turkey if you don’t have any leftovers in the refrigerator. Simply toss the cooked turkey breast with sautéed mushrooms, corn, shallots and butter then layer in a casserole dish with tortillas. A homemade poblano pepper sauce holds it all together and adds creamy texture and fiery flavor.

Why let leftovers go to waste when you can repurpose them into a perfectly-decadent casserole. Cornbread stuffing acts as the base layer, which then gets topped with roasted vegetables and roasted turkey breast. Next, pour a mixture of eggs, milk, turkey gravy and hot sauce over the dish, then bake until golden brown and set.

This turkey tetrazzini recipe is loaded with flavor and texture. Cooked turkey breast combines with thick, chewy egg noodles and hearty mushrooms to create a one-pot meal that’s perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions alike. Top the whole thing with breadcrumbs and parmesan before going in the oven to create a golden, crispy crust.

If you’re looking for a quick way to get a hot plate of leftovers on the table, let this turkey and sweet potato casserole become your go-to. The recipe is as simple as it gets: start by mixing cooked sweet potatoes with brown sugar, milk and cinnamon, then layer into a casserole dish. Next, simmer turkey and onions in chicken stock, then ladle on top of the sweet potato mixture. Bake until bubbly, then sprinkle with walnuts and parsley before serving.