Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

If you like the idea of a cozy layered bake, our Sausage Stuffing Casserole and Swiss Chicken Casserole are two more worth bookmarking.

The edges of the stuffing get lightly crisp in the oven while the mashed potato layer stays creamy under the melted cheddar, and the cranberry sauce adds a thread of sweetness that cuts right through the savory gravy — this is Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole doing exactly what it should, turning what’s already in the fridge into something everyone actually wants to eat again.

It’s the kind of dish you can put together the morning after the holiday, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake — no extra shopping, no starting from scratch. It also travels well, so it makes a natural addition to a family gathering the weekend after Thanksgiving. And because every component is already cooked, the oven just needs to bring it all together and melt that layer of sharp cheddar on top.

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A baked casserole topped with melted cheddar cheese and sprinkled with chopped herbs, in a white rectangular dish, surrounded by rolls, green beans, and stuffing on a marble surface.

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Table of Contents

💛 Why you’ll love this recipe

10 minutes to prep — layer everything into a 9×13-inch baking dish and the oven handles the rest.
Every classic leftover in one pan — stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and sharp cheddar all go into one dish.
Savory with a touch of sweetness — the cranberry sauce layer adds brightness that keeps the dish from feeling too rich.
Flexible with what you have — works equally well with store-bought gravy, refrigerated mashed potatoes, or rotisserie chicken in place of turkey.
Reheats well for quick meals — serves 9, so there are plenty of portions left for lunches and dinners through the rest of the week.
Make-ahead and freezer friendly — assemble it up to a day ahead and refrigerate, or freeze the baked casserole for up to 2 months.

➡️ Ingredients

Six bowls on a white surface containing leftover stuffing, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, cheddar cheese, and cooked turkey, each labeled with text.

⏲ How to make this recipe

A white baking dish filled with golden-brown stuffing sits on a light surface, with bowls of shredded turkey and mashed potatoes nearby. A green cloth is partially visible in the lower left corner.

A white baking dish filled with stuffing topped with brown gravy sits on a white surface. Nearby are bowls of shredded turkey and mashed potatoes, and a folded green cloth.

A white baking dish filled with a layer of cranberry sauce over stuffing, next to bowls of shredded turkey and mashed potatoes on a light countertop.

A white baking dish filled with shredded cooked chicken on a layer of stuffing. Surrounding the dish are a bowl of mashed potatoes, a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, and a measuring cup of gravy.

A white baking dish is half topped with mashed potatoes and half with shredded chicken over a red sauce. Surrounding the dish are bowls of grated cheese, mashed potatoes, and a measuring cup of gravy.

A white baking dish filled with a smooth layer of mashed potatoes sits on a white surface. Nearby are a glass measuring cup with gravy and a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese. A green cloth is partially visible.

A white baking dish filled with a creamy mashed potato layer topped with light brown gravy. A small bowl of shredded cheddar cheese sits beside the dish on a white surface.

A white baking dish filled with shredded cheddar cheese over a creamy layer, surrounded by green herbs, a light green cloth, and a small white pitcher of gravy on a white surface.

A casserole dish filled with a cheesy baked casserole, with a wooden spoon lifting a portion. Surrounding the dish are green beans, stuffing, dinner rolls, and a beige sauce. A green striped towel is nearby.

👉 Easy ingredient swaps

Turkey — Shredded rotisserie chicken works just as well as leftover turkey in this casserole.
Stuffing — No leftovers? A prepared box of turkey-flavored stuffing mix is a direct substitute, right from the recipe.
Mashed potatoes — Instant mashed potatoes or a 24-ounce container of refrigerated prepared potatoes both work fine.
Gravy — A 12-ounce jar of turkey gravy is a straightforward swap if you don’t have leftover homemade.
Cheese — Mozzarella or Monterey Jack melt well here if you’re out of sharp cheddar.

✨ Variations

Add leftover vegetables — Stir in a cup of green beans, peas, or corn between the turkey and potato layers for more color and texture.
Crispy topping — Scatter crushed Ritz crackers or crispy fried onions over the cheese just before the final uncovered bake for extra crunch.
Creamier mashed potato layer — Stir a few spoonfuls of sour cream or cream cheese into the mashed potatoes before spreading them across the dish.
Swap the protein — Leftover roast chicken or any cooked poultry you have on hand works in place of turkey if that’s what’s in your fridge.

〰️ How to serve

Roasted vegetables, steamed green beans, or a simple salad alongside — something fresh balances the richness of the casserole.
Our Fresh Green Bean Casserole is a natural companion if you still have green beans from the holiday.
For dessert, Easy Apple Crisp, Applesauce Coffee Cake, or Pumpkin Cranberry Bread all fit the post-Thanksgiving table.
The recipe calls for seasoning at the end, so keep salt and pepper on the table, and have fresh sage ready if you’d like to garnish before serving.

💬 FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes — assemble all the layers in the baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When baking from cold, add about 10 extra minutes to the covered bake time to make sure everything heats through before you remove the foil.

Can this casserole be frozen?

Yes. Let the baked casserole cool completely, then wrap the dish tightly in foil or transfer portions to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat covered at 350°F until the center reaches 165°F.

How long do leftovers keep in the refrigerator?

Store the baked casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. Because the filling is built from already-cooked Thanksgiving leftovers, keep track of when those original sides and turkey were first made — the total time from first cooking through to when you eat the casserole should stay within 3 to 4 days.

How do you know when the casserole is done baking?

Bake covered at 375°F for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes. You’re looking for fully melted cheese with lightly golden edges around the dish. Once it comes out of the oven, let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes so the layers set and it’s easier to scoop and serve.