Delicious Turkey Casserole Recipes for Every Occasion

Turkey cаsseroles are a cozy , easy meal thats great for family time or to bring to a party . They use turkey and veggies in one pan , so you dont spend hours cooking or doing dishes , and it works with fresh or leftover meat .

The turkey itself is super flexible . You can use ground turkey , turkey breast , or bits from a holiday dinner , and it still tastes good . Mix it with rice or pasta , add some veggies and sauce , and dinner is ready in no time .

In this post well look at why turkey casseroles rock , what you need to make them , plus a bunch of classic and fun recipes to try . Youll also get tips to fix common mistakes , and answers to your top questions so your casserole turns out great every time .

Benefits of Turkey Casseroles

Turkey casseroles give you lots of protein , theyre low in fat , and full of vitamins like B6 and zinc . That makes them healthier than many other comfort foods , so you can feel better about serving them to your family .

Theyre also super versatile , you can change veggies or grains to match what you have on hand or to please picky eaters . And theyre perfect for potlucks because you just cover and transport them , no extra plates needed .

Best part is you can prep some parts ahead , stash it in the fridge , then bake when you get home . No need to scramble on a busy weeknight . Dinner is ready and nobody has to wait long .

Essential Ingredients for Turkey Casseroles

Youll usually start with cooked turkey – ground or shredded – and some starch like rice , pasta , or potatoes . Then pick a mix of veggies such as broccoli , green beans , or carrots .

For sauce you can use cream of mushroom or chicken soup , a bit of broth , and cheese if you want it richer . Herbs like thyme or rosemary add good flavor , but salt and pepper work too .

Breadcrumbs on top give a nice crust , and a drizzle of oil helps everything brown . Quality matters less than freshness here , so use what you got in the fridge .

Classic Turkey Casserole Recipes

3.1 Traditional Turkey Tetrazzini

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded turkey
• 8 ounces spaghetti , cooked
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F .
2. In a big bowl mix turkey , spaghetti , soup , broth , peas , half the cheese , garlic powder , salt and pepper .
3. Pour in a greased 9×13 dish .
4. Stir breadcrumbs with oil and rest of cheese , then sprinkle on top .
5. Bake 25–30 minutes or until bubbly and brown .

Advice:

• Add mushrooms or peppers if you like more veggies .
• Leftovers keep 3 days in an airtight container .

3.2 Turkey and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded turkey
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots , peas , corn)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F .
2. Mix rice , turkey , soup , broth , veggies , onion powder , salt and pepper in a bowl .
3. Put in a greased 9×13 pan and top with cheese .
4. Bake 30–35 minutes until cheese melts and it bubbles .

Advice:

• Serve with salad or garlic bread for a full meal .
• Reheat in microwave or oven until hot .

Creative Takes on Turkey Casseroles

4.1 Southwest Turkey Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded turkey
• 1 can black beans , drained
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 jalapeño , sliced (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F .
2. Mix turkey , beans , corn , salsa and cumin in a bowl .
3. Layer half the chips in a greased dish , add turkey mix , top with rest of chips and cheese .
4. Bake 25–30 minutes until cheese melts . Add jalapeños last 5 minutes .

Advice:

• Swap quinoa for chips to make it gluten-free .
• Top with avocado or sour cream for extra creaminess .

4.2 Turkey and Vegetable Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked penne
• 2 cups diced turkey
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup zucchini , diced
• 1 cup bell pepper , diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F .
2. Combine penne , turkey , tomatoes , zucchini , pepper , seasoning , salt and pepper in a bowl .
3. Transfer to a greased dish and sprinkle cheese on top .
4. Bake 30–35 minutes until cheese is bubbly .

Advice:

• Use any veggies you have on hand .
• Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for flavor .

Turkey Casserole Cooking Tips and Tricks

• Season turkey well : Season with salt , pepper and herbs before cooking to boost taste .
• Keep it moist : Add broth or creamy soup so turkey wont turn dry .
• Layer right : Start with starch , then turkey and veggies , finish with cheese or crumbs .
• Make-ahead : Assemble a day early and store in fridge , then bake when you want .

FAQs

• What can I use instead of turkey? Chicken , beef , or plant proteins like lentils work fine .
• Can I freeze these casseroles? Yes , freeze before or after baking ; eat within 2–3 months .
• How do I reheat them? Oven at 350°F until hot , or microwave covered with damp paper towel .
• Which sauces work best? Creamy soups or cheese sauces are classics , but tomato sauces give tang .
• How long do leftovers last? Store in fridge up to 3–4 days in an airtight container .

Conclusion

Turkey casseroles are a simple , tasty way to feed folks any day of the week . With lots of protein , easy prep , and endless mix-and-match options , theyre perfect for busy lives . Try the recipes above and make them your own for a warm , homey meal everyone will enjoy .

turkey casserole recipes

This comforting turkey casserole is an easy-to-make one-dish meal that combines turkey, vegetables, and creamy sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Perfect for using leftover turkey or for a cozy family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 9x13-inch baking dish
• 1 medium saucepan
• 1 cooking spoon
• 1 aluminum foil
• 1 oven

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or cubed Great for using leftover turkey.
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables Can include peas, carrots, corn.
• 1 cup cooked rice White or brown rice can be used.
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz can.
• 1 cup milk Can use low-fat for a healthier version.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided into two portions.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper To taste.
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded turkey, frozen mixed vegetables, cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, milk, half of the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Pour the turkey mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
• In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and the remaining shredded cheese. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
• Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the turkey casserole.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
• Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This casserole is a great way to use leftover turkey from a holiday feast.

You can customize the vegetables based on your preference, such as adding broccoli or green beans.

For a healthier version, you could use low-fat soup and milk.

Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.