Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole is a hearty, delicious bake made with all your favorite holiday leftovers, including Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Turkey cheese and more. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn holiday leftovers into a warm, creamy dinner everyone will actually be excited to eat.
We love this because it layers all those Thanksgiving favorites into one simple casserole. It’s perfect for the day after Thanksgiving, busy holiday weekends, or anytime you want a delicious meal using turkey and potatoes.
Serve it with Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Rolls, Green Salad, or Roasted Vegetables for an easy meal that makes the most of your holiday leftovers.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Uses Holiday Leftovers: This casserole gives leftover turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes a delicious second life.
- Easy Family Dinner: Everything bakes together in one pan for an easy meal with minimal cleanup.
- Comfort Food Favorite: Creamy layers and melted cheese make this a dinner everyone loves.
- Golden Cheesy Finish: A layer of cheddar cheese bakes into a bubbly topping everyone will enjoy.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes (6 medium, peeled and cut into chunks): Creates a creamy topping that makes the casserole hearty and comforting. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes both work well. Or use leftover Mashed Potatoes.
Stuffing
- Stuffing cubes (6 cups, unseasoned): Forms the flavorful bottom layer and absorb the broth without becoming mushy.
- Poultry seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds classic Thanksgiving herb flavor.
- Rubbed sage (¼ teaspoon): Brings warm, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with turkey.
- Chicken broth (1 cup): Moistens the stuffing while adding extra savory flavor.
Turkey
- Cooked turkey (4 cups, cubed): Adds tender protein and is the perfect way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Use leftover Roast Turkey or purchase thick slices from the deli to cube.
Casserole Sauce
- Condensed cream of chicken soup (2 (10.75-ounce) cans, undiluted): Creates a creamy sauce that brings the casserole together. Or use Cream of Mushroom Soup or Cream Soup Substitute
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Adds savory flavor throughout the filling.
- Sour cream (¾ cup, divided): Adds creaminess and a slight tang to both the turkey layer and mashed potatoes.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): Makes the mashed potato topping extra rich and creamy.
- Pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds gentle warmth and balances the richness.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all of the flavors.
- Cheddar cheese (1 to 1½ cups, shredded): Melts into a golden, bubbly topping that finishes the casserole perfectly. Freshly shredded cheese melts best.
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cube 6 potatoes and place in a large pot covering with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for an additional 12-15 minutes (or until tender).
STUFFING. While potatoes are cooking, combine 6 cups stuffing cubes, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon sage in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of broth and pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
TURKEY. In another large bowl, combine 4 cups cubed turkey, 2 cans cream of chicken soup,1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ cup sour cream. Spoon over the stuffing mixture.
POTATOES. Drain potatoes and mash in a large bowl. Beat in 4 ounces cream cheese, ½ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ½ cup sour cream, then spread over turkey mixture.
BAKE. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Spread each layer evenly so every serving has stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, and cheese.
- Freshly shredded cheddar always melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving so it slices more easily.
- You can use leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner for each layer, or follow the recipe to make the different layers from scratch.
Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
Stuffing
- 6 cups stuffing cubes, unseasoned
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1 cup chicken broth
Turkey
- 4 cups cooked turkey, cubed
Casserole Sauce
- 2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup sour cream, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1-1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for an additional 12-15 minutes (or until tender).
- While potatoes are cooking, combine stuffing cubes, poultry seasoning, and sage in a large bowl. Stir in broth and pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- In another large bowl, combine the turkey, soup, garlic powder, and ¼ cup sour cream. Spoon over the stuffing mixture.
- Drain potatoes and mash in a large bowl. Beat in the cream cheese, pepper, salt, and remaining sour cream, and spread over the turkey mixture.
- Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 30-35 minutes. ENJOY!
Notes
- Leftover mashed potatoes can be used instead of making a fresh batch to save even more time.
- Spread each layer evenly so every serving has stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, and cheese.
- Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving so it slices more easily.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container(s) in the fridge for about 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Complete The Meal
Side Dishes
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
17 mins
Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
2 hrs 40 mins
Sauteed Green Beans
12 mins
Sweet Cornbread
40 mins
Desserts
Apple Pie Recipe
3 hrs 45 mins
Pumpkin Bars
45 mins
Pumpkin Dump Cake
1 hr 5 mins
Pumpkin Cobbler
1 hr 20 mins
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Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
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Chicken Tetrazzini
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This recipe was first shared November, 2020.
This turned out amazing! I used leftover stuffing, so that made it easier. Also, I used one can of cream of chicken soup and one can of cream of broccoli soup (what I had in hand). The potatoes were creamy and delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
This is one of our favorite recipes-perfect for left overs that doesn’t taste like a left over. Yum!!
Can always appreciate a new way to use up those never-ending thanksgiving leftovers!
Whats the butter for?
Super creamy and good!
I’m confused, why is the video in the middle of this post for another recipe?