Turkey Noodle Casserole Turns Leftover Turkey Into a Cozy Crowd-Pleaser (2024)

Kid-Friendly
Egg Noodles
Leftover Turkey

Rich with a savory Gruyere and mustard sauce, it’s the perfect leftover turkey recipe.

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated November 09, 2023

11 ratings

Making This Turkey Casserole Recipe Your Own

Swap out the tarragon with some sage, thyme, or rosemary.
Throw in some leftover vegetables, like mushrooms, peas, or carrots.
Try an Emmental, raclette, Jarlsberg, cheddar, or Swiss cheese.
Replace the vermouth with more broth instead.

Saving and Serving Turkey Casserole

You can make this turkey casserole in advance and store it in the fridge right in the ceramic or metal casserole dish to go directly from the refrigerator to the oven.

You can also freeze the casserole before you put it in the oven. Then, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake. You can also go directly from the freezer to the oven. It just takes about twice as long to heat it up.

How to Freeze Lasagna and Other CasserolesREAD MORE:

Just be sure to wrap your casserole a couple of times with heavy-duty foil before freezing. Be nice to your future self and label and date your casserole too! Then, you'll know what's in that mystery dish and remember to eat it within three months for the best results.

How to Freeze Lasagna and Other CasserolesREAD MORE:

Sides to Serve With Turkey Casserole

Waldorf Salad
Cold Pea Salad
Creamed Spinach
Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower
Arugula Salad With Beets and Goat Cheese

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Turkey Noodle Casserole

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time80 mins

Total Time100 mins

Servings6to 10 servings

Ingredients

Salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups sliced shallots or thinly sliced onions
2 cups diced celery
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces egg noodles
1/3 cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup cream or sour cream
2 cups chicken or turkey stock
2 teaspoons dry tarragon
See Also
Alison Roman’s Ricotta-Stuffed Shells with Burrata, Mushrooms, and Herbs — Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison
6 ounces grated Gruyere cheese
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
3 cups coarsely chopped cooked turkey
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish, optional

Method

Preheat the oven, and boil water:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Start heating 4 quarts of water for the pasta. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the water (1 tablespoon for every 2 quarts of water).
Cook the shallots and add flour:
Melt butter in a large, thick-bottomed (5-quart) pot on medium heat. Add the shallots and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the flour and cook over low heat, stirring, for about 3 minutes.
Cook the noodles firmer than al dente:
Put the noodles into the boiling water. Follow the package directions and cook the noodles for 2 minutes less than the range given on the package.
The pasta should be a bit firmer than al dente. So, for example, if the package instructions say bring to a boil and cook for 6 to 10 minutes, add the pasta to the hot water, return the water to a boil and cook it for 4 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, continue on with the recipe.
Start the sauce:
Into the saucepan with the butter, shallots, celery, and flour, add the dry vermouth and let bubble for a minute. Then, stir in the milk, cream, and stock. Add the tarragon.
Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Drain and rinse the pasta:
By the time the sauce is done, the pasta will be ready. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking.
Add the cheese, mustard, and turkey to the sauce:
Add the grated cheese and mustard to the pot. Stir until the cheese is melted. Add the chopped cooked turkey to the pot.
Add salt to taste (depending on if you are using salted stock or not, or salted butter or not, that could be no added salt to as much as a teaspoon added). Add freshly ground black pepper.
Add the pasta, lemon juice, and transfer to casserole dish:
Now it's time to add the cooked pasta to the pot. If the noodles have stuck together, rinse them in the colander with a little water to separate them. Add the noodles to the pot with the turkey.
Stir in the lemon juice and adjust the seasonings to your taste.
Transfer the mixture to a buttered 3-quart casserole dish.
Top with the panko and melted butter:
Sprinkle the top with panko and drizzle 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the top.
Bake until golden:
Bake the casserole at 375°F on the middle rack of the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it is bubbling, and the top is golden.
If you can wait, let the casserole cool a bit before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if using.
Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
375	Calories
19g	Fat
26g	Carbs
23g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 10
Amount per serving
Calories	375
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 10g	50%
Cholesterol 99mg	33%
Sodium 474mg	21%
Total Carbohydrate 26g	9%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 4mg	20%
Calcium 269mg	21%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 429mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Turkey Noodle Casserole Turns Leftover Turkey Into a Cozy Crowd-Pleaser (2024)

FAQs

How many days is leftover turkey good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

Keep Reading ›

What is turkey tetrazzini made of? ›

Try this American classic turkey casserole—turkey Tetrazzini—a hearty pasta bake that includes sautéed mushrooms, a cheesy creamy sauce, leftover turkey, peas, and egg noodles.

Get More Info Here ›

How do you reheat turkey casserole? ›

Leftover turkey casserole will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat the casserole: If reheating an entire casserole, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20 minutes).

Explore More ›

How long is turkey safe to eat after Thanksgiving? ›

How long do the turkey and trimmings stay safe in the refrigerator or freezer? The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later.

Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Can I freeze cooked turkey after 3 days? ›

If your turkey has been properly handled, you can refrigerate and eat it for up to four days. If you are planning to freeze it, it's best to freeze it within one day of cooking for optimal texture and taste. However, leftover turkey can be frozen after three days and it will be fine.

Learn More ›

How do chefs reheat turkey? ›

To reheat, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Keeping the turkey in the roasting pan, pour a bit of stock (chicken, turkey, or veggie stock or broth will work) over the meat to moisten it. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the turkey is warmed through.

Show Me More ›

How do you reheat a casserole without drying it out? ›

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

Find Out More ›

How do you keep turkey moist when reheating in the oven? ›

Place the turkey pieces in a baking dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons of stock and/or butter. Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Can I eat 11 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Keep Reading ›

Can dogs eat turkey? ›

Is Turkey Good for Dogs? Yes, when cooked and prepared properly—and given in very small portions—turkey can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs. Make sure it is fully cooked; has no skin, bones, or fat; and is not cooked with any other ingredients or seasonings.

Learn More ›

Can you eat turkey that is a week old? ›

Cooked turkey and other leftovers can be kept in the fridge safely for about three to four days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FoodSafety.gov say. But after that time, "the risk of food poisoning goes up," the Mayo Clinic notes, pointing to the growth of bacteria in refrigerated leftovers.

Learn More Now ›

Can you eat turkey 5 days after cooking? ›

Cold, cooked turkey meat will keep in the fridge for up to four days, but always use your best judgement. Always reheat cold turkey until it's piping hot, not just warmed through. Only reheat cooked turkey once.

See Details ›

Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for 6 days? ›

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a 'best-by' or 'use by' date on the manufacturer's label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date.

Know More ›

How long after Thanksgiving is it safe to eat the ham? ›

Those popular spiral-cut hams or any store-wrapped cooked ham will last three to four days in the fridge. Cooked country hams will last a bit longer, up to a week. Do: Wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. If you choose to freeze, it will be good for one to two months.

Read On ›

How long can a butterball turkey stay in the refrigerator? ›

If you are not confident about the temperature of your refrigerator, cook or freeze the turkey within 4 days of purchase. Storage of Leftovers: Carve leftover turkey into slices before refrigerating to speed cooling. Refrigerate carved leftovers within 2 hours of eating. Use leftover turkey within 3 days.

Get More Info Here ›