Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

A close-up of a wooden spatula holding a slice of cheesy baked casserole with shredded meat, beans, and sauce, above a white baking dish.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

Leftover stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, turkey, and mashed potatoes layered in a 9x13-inch dish under sharp cheddar and baked at 375°F until the cheese melts and the center is hot. Everything goes in already cooked, so it takes 10 minutes to put together and serves 9.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Resting Time15

Total Time1

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: thanksgiving casserole, thanksgiving leftovers casserole

Servings: servings

Calories: 443kcal

Author: Sara Nelson

Ingredients

3 cups leftover stuffing or one 6-ounce box turkey-flavored stuffing mix, prepared
1 ½ cups leftover gravy or one 12-ounce jar turkey gravy divided
3 cups chopped or shredded leftover cooked turkey
14 ounces canned cranberry sauce whole or jellied
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes or one 24-ounce refrigerated container
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
nonstick cooking spray for the baking dish
aluminum foil for covering the baking dish

Optional Garnish

fresh sage chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375 °F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish in nonstick cooking spray.
Layer Stuffing: Spread stuffing evenly across bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add Gravy: Pour about ½ cup of gravy over stuffing to moisten it.
Add Cranberry Sauce: Spread cranberry sauce in an even layer on top of stuffing. If using jellied sauce, stir it with a fork first so it spreads.
Add Turkey: Evenly scatter chopped or shredded turkey over cranberry layer.
Top with Mashed Potatoes: Spoon mashed potatoes over turkey and, using a rubber spatula, gently spread them into an even layer.
Add Remaining Gravy and Cheese: Drizzle remaining gravy over potatoes, then sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top.
Bake Covered: Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes, until cheese is melted, edges are lightly golden, and the center reaches 165 °F on a food thermometer.
Cool and Serve: Allow casserole to cool for about 10-15 minutes so it can set a little. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed, then garnish with fresh chopped sage and serve.

Video

Notes

Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and use within 3 days, as long as you’re still within 3-4 days of when the Thanksgiving food was first cooked.

Freezer Storage: After baking, cool it completely, then wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating Instructions: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover the whole dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until the center is hot and steamy (165°F on a food thermometer). Add a little extra gravy if it looks dry.

Nutrition