Ultimate Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake: A Delicious & Easy Post-Thanksgiving Meal

As the holiday season winds down, many of us find ourselves with an abundance of Thanksgiving leftovers. While a classic turkey sandwich has its charm, there comes a point when you crave something new, yet equally comforting. Enter the **Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake**, a sensational casserole designed to transform your Thanksgiving turkey (or even chicken!) into an entirely new culinary experience. Imagine twirling your fork through tender noodles coated in a rich, garlicky cream sauce, studded with sweet peas and savory mushrooms, all crowned with melted, bubbly white cheddar cheese. It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying meal that perfectly complements a chilly evening, especially after a marathon Black Friday shopping spree!

Reinventing Leftovers: Beyond the Sandwich

Turning Thanksgiving leftovers into something truly spectacular can feel like a challenge. We all love the nostalgic charm of a classic turkey sandwich (perhaps even a “moist-maker” for the *Friends* fans out there!), but variety is the spice of life, especially when you’re looking at day two or three of turkey. This **leftover turkey pasta bake** offers a delicious departure from the usual, offering a hearty and immensely satisfying meal that feels both familiar and excitingly fresh.

What could be better than returning home after a long day of holiday errands or hitting the stores for early sales, to a warm, bubbling dish of cheesy pasta? This casserole features perfectly cooked egg noodles, generously coated in a luxurious, creamy sauce that we’ve expertly “hacked” into a semi-homemade masterpiece. We combine the convenience of store-bought alfredo sauce with the rich tang of ricotta cheese, creating a flavor profile that tastes like it took hours to prepare, but comes together in a flash. Topped with a generous layer of classic American white cheddar, this dish truly embodies the spirit of comfort food dreams.

One of the best aspects of this **easy turkey pasta bake** is its reliance on pantry staples. Beyond your cooked turkey, you’ll likely only need to pick up a container of ricotta and a couple of jars of your favorite alfredo sauce. This makes it an incredibly convenient option for a quick weeknight dinner, allowing you to whip up a delicious meal in no time, without the fuss of an extensive grocery run.

The Perfect Balance: Semi-Homemade & Utterly Delicious

This year, as we prepare for Friendsgiving, we’re already anticipating the joy of transforming those delicious turkey remnants. While a turkey sandwich will definitely make an appearance, by the time day three rolls around, a different kind of comfort is in order. This **creamy turkey casserole** gives off wonderful chicken tetrazzini vibes, with its delectable combination of soupy, cheesy noodles, but without the need for breadcrumbs. It’s a rich, hearty bake that truly satisfies.

A personal philosophy for holiday leftover recipes is to keep things simple without sacrificing flavor. You won’t find any canned cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups in my cheesy turkey casserole. Instead, we embrace the smart shortcut of using high-quality store-bought alfredo sauce. After all the effort of preparing a holiday feast, the last thing anyone wants is to spend another hour making sauce from scratch, even if alfredo is one of the easiest sauces to whip up. Of course, if you’re feeling ambitious and have the time, homemade alfredo sauce would undoubtedly elevate this dish even further. But for those busy post-holiday moments, convenience is king, and I promise, the flavor will not disappoint!

I won’t judge your culinary shortcuts if you won’t judge mine! 😆 The goal here is deliciousness with minimal fuss, and this **leftover turkey recipe** delivers precisely that.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Turkey Pasta Bake

Crafting this incredible **turkey pasta bake** requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create this ultimate comfort dish:

• Egg noodles: These delicate, broad noodles are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce, providing a tender bite. You can also experiment with other pasta shapes like pappardelle or even penne if you prefer.
• Butter: The foundation for sautéing our vegetables, adding richness and a beautiful golden color.
• Mushrooms: Baby Bella mushrooms are highly recommended for their earthy flavor and meaty texture, which perfectly complements the turkey and creamy sauce. Sliced thin, they cook down beautifully.
• Prepared alfredo sauce: Our secret weapon for a quick and flavorful sauce base. Opt for a brand you love for the best results.
• Shredded or diced turkey (or chicken): This is where your Thanksgiving leftovers shine! Whether you have dark or white meat, ensure it’s cooked and ready to be incorporated. This also works wonderfully with pre-cooked shredded chicken breasts or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for those who don’t have leftover turkey.
• Chicken or turkey stock: Adds depth and helps to thin out the sauce to the perfect consistency, ensuring it’s rich but not overly heavy.
• Ricotta cheese: A game-changer! Ricotta adds an unparalleled creaminess and a subtle, tangy richness that elevates the store-bought alfredo sauce, making it taste truly gourmet.
• Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder and dried basil provides aromatic depth, while a hint of red pepper flakes adds a gentle warmth and kick.
• Peas: Frozen peas, defrosted, offer a pop of vibrant color and a burst of natural sweetness, cutting through the richness of the sauce.
• White cheddar cheese: This sharp, melty cheese creates an irresistible golden-brown crust on top, adding a savory, tangy finish to every bite.

Expert Tips for the Best Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake

To ensure your **creamy turkey pasta bake** turns out absolutely perfect every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Don’t overcook the noodles: This is crucial for a pasta bake! Cook your egg noodles a minute or two less than the package directions suggest. They should be very al dente. Since they will continue to cook and absorb moisture in the oven with the sauce, veggies, and turkey, undercooking them initially prevents them from becoming mushy and ensures they maintain a pleasant chew.
• Embrace the ricotta: The addition of ricotta cheese is a secret weapon in this recipe. It doesn’t just add a layer of incredible creaminess; it transforms the entire flavor profile of the store-bought alfredo sauce. Ricotta contributes a subtle tang and a luxurious richness that makes the sauce taste remarkably homemade, as if you spent hours perfecting it yourself. Don’t skip this ingredient – it makes all the difference!
• Utilize leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken: This recipe is designed to be incredibly versatile. While it’s ideal for **Thanksgiving leftover turkey**, don’t fret if you don’t have any! It works equally well with pre-cooked shredded chicken breasts or a convenient shredded rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store. This flexibility means you can enjoy this comforting pasta bake any time of year.
• Shred your own cheese for superior melt: Resist the temptation of pre-shredded cheese! While convenient, pre-shredded varieties are often coated with anti-caking agents like cellulose or potato starch, which can prevent them from melting smoothly and evenly. For that perfectly bubbly, golden-brown crust and ultimate creaminess, take a few extra minutes to shred your own block of white cheddar cheese. You’ll notice a significant difference in both texture and flavor.
• Harness the power of garlic powder: To achieve bold, robust garlicky flavor without the extra prep time of mincing fresh garlic, my trick is to use garlic powder. It integrates seamlessly into the sauce, providing an intense and consistent garlic punch that permeates every bite of the creamy alfredo. It’s an efficient way to boost flavor and cut down on your time in the kitchen.

And there you have it! A straightforward, utterly delicious, and incredibly satisfying **leftover turkey pasta bake**. My Midwestern heart can’t pass up the opportunity to share a good turkey noodle casserole recipe, especially one featuring savory mushrooms and a rich, creamy sauce. The best part? You achieve a gourmet taste without having to make everything from scratch. It’s the perfect blend of homemade goodness and everyday convenience.

Prepare to enjoy endless forkfuls of this warm, creamy, and cozy noodle bake – it’s truly a delight for the senses and a welcome reprieve after the holiday rush!

Yield: 6 servings

Easy Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake ( or Chicken!)

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
30 minutes

Total Time
35 minutes

Creamy leftover turkey pasta bake is the perfect casserole to make with your leftover Thanksgiving turkey or chicken! Twirling a fork in a garlicky cream sauce with peas is just the kind of meal you want to have after Black Friday shopping!

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cooked egg noodles or pappardelle (see notes)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound baby Bella mushrooms, thinly sliced 
• 1 ½ jar (22 ounces total) prepared alfredo sauce
• 1 ½ cups turkey or chicken stock
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder AND dried basil
• ⅛ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup defrosted peas
• 2 cups shredded or diced turkey or chicken
• 1 ½ cup shredded (or diced) white cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. PREP: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a nonstick 13×9  baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
2. SAUTE: Heat the butter in a large saucepan and saute the mushrooms over medium-high heat until they brown; about 7-9 minutes. Then, stir in the alfredo sauce, chicken stock, and ricotta cheese. Season with garlic powder, basil, and red pepper flakes. When the sauce is smooth and heated through, stir in the peas and turkey (or chicken.) Then, fold in the prepared egg noodles and stir to combine.
3. BAKE: Add the prepared turkey pasta mixture to the baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Bake the turkey pasta bake for 15-18 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. You could also give it a minute under the broiler at the end to help it along. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley on top if desired and serve!

Have you made this recipe?

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