If you’re anything like me, finding delicious ways to reinvent your holiday leftovers can sometimes feel like a challenge. That is why this Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe has become a tried-and-true favorite in my kitchen. It takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a luscious, cheesy, and utterly comforting meal that everyone will adore. Creamy, savory, and packed with tender turkey and hearty veggies, this dish is the perfect way to breathe new life into your leftover turkey while satisfying your craving for cozy comfort food.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet come together beautifully to create a dish that is rich in flavor, texture, and color. Each element plays a key role, from the sweetness of the leek to the melty, gooey cheese topping that pulls everything together in perfect harmony.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Provides the perfect base for sautéing and adds a rich, fruity note.
- 1 leek, roughly chopped: Offers a subtle onion flavor that’s milder and sweeter, brightening the dish.
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms: Adds earthiness and a wonderful meaty texture.
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed: Brings a punch of aromatic depth and warmth.
- 250 grams dry shells or macaroni pasta: The ideal shape to hold the creamy sauce and bits of turkey.
- 1 cup chicken/turkey stock: Infuses the pasta with savory richness as it cooks.
- 1 1/4 cups water: Keeps the pasta perfectly hydrated during cooking.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors wonderfully.
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper: Adds a subtle heat that balances the creaminess.
- 2 big handfuls fresh baby spinach leaves: Brings freshness and vibrant green color.
- 3 cups cooked turkey, roughly chopped: The star ingredient delivering tender, flavorful protein.
- 1 cup thickened cream: Creates the luscious, velvety sauce that binds the pasta and turkey.
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese: Offers a nutty complexity and melts beautifully.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives a creamy, stretchy finish with a golden brown crust.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 190°C (170°C fan forced) or 375°F. This ensures the bake will cook evenly once everything is assembled and ready to go. Having your oven hot and ready means the cheesy topping will get that glorious golden crust everyone loves.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped leek and sliced mushrooms and sauté them for about 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and become fragrant. Then, add the crushed garlic cloves and cook for another minute to bring out its aromatic flavor. This step builds the foundation of flavor for your bake, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Pan
Now, add your dry pasta, chicken or turkey stock, water, salt, and cracked black pepper straight into the pan. Stir everything together and let it cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be just shy of fully cooked with a little bit of bite left. If the liquid absorbs too quickly, feel free to add a splash more water—keeping the pasta tender is key.
Step 4: Add Spinach, Turkey, and Cream
Once the pasta is nearly perfect, stir in the fresh baby spinach, chopped cooked turkey, and the thickened cream. Then add two-thirds of your combined Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses and mix everything together. You want the cheese to melt into the creamy sauce, enveloping the turkey and spinach for that irresistible texture and taste.
Step 5: Bake It to Perfection
Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Transfer your pan to the oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. Look for a bubbling sauce beneath and a beautifully browned, golden cheese crust on top—that’s exactly what you want to see. This final bake melts all the flavors together and adds that delectable, gooey finish.
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Garnishes
For a fresh burst of flavor, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley or thyme leaves right before serving. A light dusting of cracked black pepper or a few chili flakes can add a nice touch of heat if you enjoy a little spice. These simple garnishes make the dish feel extra special and visually inviting.
Side Dishes
This pasta bake is hearty on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or some roasted seasonal vegetables adds freshness and balance to your plate. A tangy vinaigrette on the side complements the creamy pasta perfectly. Garlic bread or warm crusty rolls are other fantastic options to mop up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this bake family-style right out of the oven in the same pan for a rustic and welcoming look. Alternatively, portion it into individual ramekins and sprinkle the cheese topping for personal servings that make dinner feel extra cozy. It’s a great dish to bring to potlucks or casual dinner gatherings because it travels well and stays delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain the creamy texture and rich flavor. When ready to eat, leftovers reheat just nicely without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save portions for another time, this bake freezes well for up to 2 months. Simply place leftovers in a freezer-safe container or bag and label it. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat the pasta bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes or until it’s warmed through. Cover the dish loosely with foil to prevent the cheese from burning while keeping it moist. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway to ensure even heating.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta in this recipe?
Absolutely! While shells or macaroni work wonderfully because they hold the sauce well, penne, rigatoni, or fusilli can also be great alternatives. Just keep an eye on cooking times as some pasta shapes may cook faster or slower.
Is it possible to make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the turkey and add more vegetables such as roasted butternut squash, bell peppers, or zucchini. Consider using vegetable stock for cooking to keep the flavors balanced.
Can I use leftover chicken instead of turkey?
Definitely. Leftover chicken works just as well in this pasta bake and will provide the same comforting, protein-packed goodness.
What cheese combinations work best?
Gruyère and mozzarella make a fantastic pairing thanks to their meltability and flavor. You can experiment with cheddar or fontina if you prefer, but try to keep one cheese to provide a stretchy texture for that perfect bake.
How can I make the dish creamier or lighter?
For a creamier result, add a splash more cream or a little cream cheese to the mix. If you want it lighter, you can reduce the cream and substitute part of it with milk or a lighter cream alternative without losing too much richness.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe a try because it turns humble leftovers into something spectacular that everyone will love. It’s comforting, easy to prepare, and a wonderful way to celebrate those delicious turkey moments again and again. Trust me, once you make it, it will quickly become a beloved family favorite in your home too.
Print
Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Description
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake is a comforting and family-friendly dish perfect for repurposing cooked turkey. Combining sautéed leeks, mushrooms, garlic, tender baby spinach, creamy cheese, and pasta cooked in flavorful turkey stock, this casserole is baked to golden perfection, making it a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 leek, roughly chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 big handfuls fresh baby spinach leaves
Pasta and Liquids
- 250 grams dry shells or macaroni pasta
- 1 cup chicken/turkey stock
- 1 1/4 cups water (plus up to 1/2 cup more if needed)
Protein and Dairy
- 3 cups cooked turkey, roughly chopped
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 190°C (170°C fan forced) or 375°F to get it ready for baking the pasta bake later.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add the roughly chopped leek and sliced mushrooms, cooking them for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add the crushed garlic and sauté for another minute to develop the flavors.
- Cook the pasta: To the pan, add the dry pasta, chicken or turkey stock, 1 1/4 cups water, salt, and cracked black pepper. Stir and cook for about 12 minutes until the pasta is nearly cooked but still slightly firm. If the mixture is drying out, add up to 1/2 cup more water as needed.
- Add spinach, turkey, and cream: Stir in the fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped cooked turkey, and the thickened cream along with two-thirds of the combined shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. Mix well so the cheese melts and blends smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Sprinkle with cheese and bake: Scatter the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Transfer the oven-safe pan to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from oven and let cool slightly if needed. Serve warm for a delicious and hearty meal, perfect to enjoy as a family while making the most of your holiday turkey leftovers.
Notes
- You can substitute Gruyère with Swiss or cheddar cheese if preferred.
- If you don’t have turkey stock, chicken stock or vegetable stock can be used as an alternative.
- Make sure the pan is oven-safe before starting the recipe to avoid transferring contents midway.
- Adjust seasoning towards the end before baking if necessary.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the oven for convenience.
