Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe is the kind of cozy, low-effort dinner that turns post holiday extras into something truly crave-worthy. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking to clean out the fridge, this recipe brings familiar flavors together in a fresh, satisfying way.
If you have more leftovers, try my Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole or my Leftover Turkey Panini (Thanksgiving Panini). They are a great way to refresh and reboot your holiday dishes.
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Why this Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
This dish is completely customizable, super easy to make and so satisfying. It’s one of my favorite ways to turn holiday leftovers into an easy weeknight meal.
- 50 Minute Meal: This casserole is ready start to finish in under an hour including cook and prep time.
- Easy Ingredients: All easy to find ingredients, most you probably already have in your pantry.
- Family Friendly: Such a good casserole to enjoy with your family for a weekday dinner.
- Meat: Uses leftover turkey in a smart new way. Less prep, less waste, next‑day delicious.
- One‑Dish Dinner: Combine pasta, turkey, veggies, creamy sauce, bake – done.
What Type of Pasta Works Best for a Casserole Using Leftover Turkey?
I prefer to use penne, but you can also use another type of short pasta like egg noodles, orecchiette, cavatappi or shells.
Pro Tip to Make this Recipe
Sauté your mushrooms in butter before mixing them in. This step deepens their flavor, reduces excess moisture, and adds a rich, savory base to the casserole.
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Ingredient Notes to Make Pasta Turkey Casserole
You only need a few simple ingredients, and several are pantry staples!
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Leftover Turkey: Use leftover cooked turkey to make this recipe.
- Noodles: I’ve found that penne pasta works best in this recipe.
- Veggies: I use freshly sliced mushrooms and frozen peas in my recipe.
Variations To Make Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe
This satisfying pasta recipe is so easy to change up. I like to experiment with ingredients to make it work for different leftovers. Marinara sauce or alfredo sauce are excellent for this recipe.
- No Leftovers?: Use a package of ground chicken, ground beef or lean ground turkey to turn it into an easy ground turkey pasta dish.
- Noodles: Swap penne for gluten-free pasta, chickpea pasta, lentil pasta or another short pasta for the pasta bake.
- Soup: Use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken to switch up the pasta sauce. Thin it out with a little heavy cream if needed.
- Veggies: Swap peas for broccoli florets, bell pepper, spinach, mixed veggies.
- Chicken: Use shredded rotisserie chicken if you don’t have turkey, though turkey is the highlight.
- Parmesan Cheese on Top: Add sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese for a cheesier version. You can also add some parmesan cheese to the topping.
- Mexican twist: Try taco seasoning, corn, black beans; creamy tomato sauce use pasta or rice blend.
How to Make Turkey Penne Casserole
This recipe comes together in 4 easy to follow steps. This pasta with ground turkey recipe is so good, I make it every time I have a ton of leftovers.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep Dish and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain pasta water and set aside.
- Make Casserole Mixture: In a medium pan, melt the butter and sauté the mushrooms over medium heat. In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, mushrooms, cream of chicken soup, milk, turkey, frozen peas, some of the cheese and seasonings.
- Make Crisp Topping: In another bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Transfer turkey mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Top and Bake: Top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese, followed by the bread crumb topping. Bake for 25 minutes then broil for the last 5 minutes.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Healthy Dinner
Get dinner on the table even faster with a few make-ahead steps. This flavorful recipe is easy
- Pasta: Cook pasta in a large pot over high heat before. Store in an air tight container with just a little olive oil.
- Soup: Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery instead of cream of chicken. it is easy to make dairy free healthy recipes for this step.
- Veggies: Not a fan of peas? Try broccoli, spinach, carrots, or frozen mixed vegetables. Fresh garlic is wonder, add the garlic with the other vegetables.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is great, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend work too.
- Protein: Substitute cooked chicken or ground turkey if that’s what you have.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Skillet Pasta Recipe
Take this easy turkey recipe one step further make it in the slow cooker, on the stove or even as individual casseroles.
- Mini Casseroles: Use ramekins for individual portions. This is great for meal prep.
- Slow Cooker: Combine ingredients and cook on low for 3–4 hours, then broil topping separately.
- Stovetop Version: Skip baking and simmer everything in a large skillet, stir occasionally, then top with toasted breadcrumbs.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual servings.
- Use leftovers: Spoon into puff pastry for hand pies, or serve over toast or baked potatoes.
Common Questions- Can I Make an Easy Ground Turkey Pasta Version?
I love to use a melted butter and bread crumb topping. But you could make a similar topping with crushed crackers.
Yes! Cook the noodles to al dente as they will continue to cook while in the oven.
It is easy to use ground meat for this easy pasta dinner. Make sure to cook ground turkey first.
Yes, you can add reserve a little pasta water before draining and add the reserved pasta water to the casserole dish. Add a little Italian seasoning and chicken or turkey broth if you need to for a creamy finish.
Expert Tips for Making Turkey Noodle Casserole
- Broil at the End: Adds a crispy, golden topping. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Season to Taste: Add salt, pepper, or extra herbs like thyme or sage for stuffing-like flavor.
- Use Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle before serving adds color and freshness.
- Let it Rest: Cool for 5–10 minutes before serving to help the sauce thicken.
- Serve With: Serve with Best Caesar Salad, Crock Pot Red Potatoes with Rosemary or Jiffy Cornbread Casserole.
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Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Casserole
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Ingredients
Casserole:
- 3 cups Penne pasta
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 8 ounces Mushrooms, sliced
- 10.5 ounces Cream of chicken soup, 1 can
- 1 ⅓ cup Milk
- ½ teaspoon Dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3 cups Turkey, cooked
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish, optional
Topping:
- ½ cup Bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saute pan. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.
- In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, cooked mushrooms, soup, milk, seasonings, turkey, frozen peas, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine.
- Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
- To make the topping, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and stir in the bread crumbs. Sprinkle topping in an even layer on the casserole.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn oven settings to broil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Cream of Mushroom: You could also use a can of cream of mushroom soup in place of cream of chicken for extra umami flavor.
- Swap Out Veggies: If you aren’t not a fan of peas, we could also add your veggies instead. Broccoli or spinach would both be delicious in this casserole.
- Egg Noodles: To make Egg Noodle Turkey Casserole, swap the penne pasta for egg noodles.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.