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If you’re tired of eating the same leftovers from the holidays, here’s a laid-back way to toss them all into one tasty dinner. No need to reheat one dish at a time. Just pile all those classic Thanksgiving flavors into one big, cozy bake. Makes old favorites feel new again and you don’t pitch out any food.
Reasons to Try This Casserole
Leftovers aren’t a hassle when you throw them all together in this dish. Forget using a bunch of pans on the stove—just grab one baking pan and have dinner set in no time. Toss in whatever you’ve got in the fridge. It’s fast (about half an hour) and helps you make dinner from food that’s already paid for. No one will miss out on their favorite tastes.
What's Needed
- Broth or Butter: Add ¼ cup to keep stuffing soft as it bakes
- Stuffing: Got 2 cups leftover? That’s perfect for a crunchy finish. Breadcrumbs work too
- Milk: Any kind, just ¼ cup, helps thin the gravy out a bit
- Gravy: About 1 cup—turkey or chicken gravy makes it all come together
- Corn: Toss in a cup for sweetness and bright color. Any roasted veggies are fine here
- Mashed Potatoes: You’ll want about 2 cups for a smooth, fluffy layer
- Cranberry Sauce: Use a cup if you like a punch of sweet and tart, or swap in fruit jam
- Turkey: 2 cups shredded meat—turkey, chicken, whatever’s left in your fridge
Easy Steps
- Top & Bake
- Layer on the stuffing next. Drizzle broth across the top. Pop on some foil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until it’s all nice and bubbly.
- Pour on Gravy
- Mix the gravy with milk so it’s smooth, then pour over your other layers.
- Add the Layers
- Start with turkey, then spoon cranberry sauce over that. Next spread on mashed potatoes, finishing with corn.
- Crank Up the Oven
- Get your oven going at 400°F. Grab your 8x8 pan so it’s ready to fill.
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Where This Idea Came From
This dish got its start from seeing the fridge stuffed with Thanksgiving extras and wanting a lazier fix. Instead of reheating lots of little leftovers, why not pile them all in a pan? Turns out, everything blends together even better the next day in the oven. It’s just plain good.
Why Folks Love It
At our house, this bake gets almost as much hype as the big Thanksgiving meal. All the best flavors in a single pan, fast. Kids love the piled-up layers. Grownups appreciate not letting anything go to waste. Leftovers get even yummier for lunch the next day.
Make It Different Every Time
Switch it up based on what’s left—you love potatoes? Make a double layer. Got a ton of stuffing? Stack it thick. Tuck in some green bean bake or sweet potatoes between layers if you want. Each family puts their own spin on it, and that’s part of the fun.
Save More, Waste Less
Using your leftovers smart means spending less and tossing out less too. Stretch your grocery dollars while making sure good food doesn’t head for the trash. You can skip cooking or shopping for a day or two. It helps your wallet and it’s easier on the planet.
Frequently Asked Stuff
Leftover turkey’s fine for about 4 days in the fridge. Keep all your extras sealed up tight until you’re ready to make this dinner. Got a lot to use up? Sandwiches or turkey salad are easy. Date your containers so you know what to eat first. If anything looks or smells off, just toss it out to play it safe.
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Common Questions
- → What if I want to use chicken instead of turkey?
Rotisserie chicken is awesome here! Just pull it apart and swap it in for turkey. Everything still works together, taste-wise.
- → No cranberry sauce left?
No worries—use berry jam, orange marmalade, chunky apples with cranberries, or applesauce with a dash of lemon. Sweet balances out all the savory stuff!
- → Need to make it dairy-free?
Sub dairy-free milk in your mash, switch gravy to stock, and be sure to check the stuffing blend—lots are already dairy-free. Where you’d use butter, try olive oil instead.
- → Can I make it ahead?
You sure can! Get the whole thing set up, pop it in the fridge for up to a day, and just bump the bake time by 10–15 minutes when you’re ready. If you want stuffing fresher, wait to add it until baking time.
- → Want a crunchier top?
Take the cover off the last 10 minutes. You could sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs, use crushed potato chips, or mash some with your stuffing. Even a pat of melted butter helps with that golden crunch.
- → How long will it keep?
Stays tasty for about 3–4 days in the fridge. It’s at its best within the first couple days for texture.
- → Can I freeze portions?
Totally! Wrap each serving up tight and stick it in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before heating again.
- → What if my casserole seems dry?
No biggie—just add more gravy or some broth. Sometimes leftovers soak up all the moisture, so pour as much as you want until you like the texture.
- → No stuffing left—what else can I use on top?
Cornbread crumbs, fried onions, crushed crackers or extra mashed potatoes all work great as a topper!
Final Thoughts
Crunched for time? Turkey Shepherd's Pie is another easy fix. Just toss turkey and gravy in a dish, spread mashed spuds up top, and bake 'til bubbling. You’ll squeeze even more meals out of those holiday extras!