Easy Turkey Casserole Recipe
My daughter and son-in-law made a trip down from Virginia in June. It was a quick three day visit but still great to see them. They came down for their grandson’s 5th grade awards day and we can’t miss that. Hard to believe my great-grandson with be starting middle school in a few weeks!
Noah received so many awards in every category from honor roll, art, sports, STEM and tons more. This is our four generation picture. Me, the old one, my daughter next to me, my granddaughter on the end and my great-grandson looking so proud.
I wanted to have something quick and easy to eat when they arrived so since I had a turkey in the freezer I decided that would be perfect. (Plus it gave me a chance to clean out the freezer to get to it. LOL) I cooked it the day before they arrived, sliced it and had it ready for sandwiches since they were arriving late in the afternoon. A quick and easy meal but had lots of leftovers. But I’m good at making a different meal out of leftovers.
I froze the leftover knowing I would come up with a plan. Since Lia and her dad were coming for dinner the following week the plan was to make a turkey casserole! It was so easy and made a large pan with, you guessed it, more leftovers!
I cut the slices of turkey in smaller pieces and boiled up some egg noodles. In a large baking pan I added the cooked noodles, the cut up pieces of turkey, some frozen peas and carrots, dried cranberries and a can of chicken rice soup to add broth to my mixture. I topped it off with crushed Ritz crackers, something I learned a long time ago from my grandmother then I sprinkled it with shredded cheese. Since everything was already cooked, I only had to heat it up. I put it in the over at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. It smelled so good while it was heating up. While it was in the oven, I made some garlic bread from some frozen Italian bread I had in the freezer.
Dinner was delicious and I made up individual meal portions, gave some to Lia’s dad and froze a few more for other meals.
Do you like to make meal portions from leftovers to freeze for a quick dinner? They are my favorite.
I admire the way you get creative with leftovers! And what a lovely 4-generation picture!! A beautiful family of love. I’m glad you got to spend time with them. Your great-grandson looked so proud, and like a sweetheart. I love how earnest and sweet kids can be in their pictures.
Thanks Jeanine, as soon as the ceremony was over he washed his hair and get it back to “normal” LOL I love being creative with leftovers. I usually just add what I have hanging around. I call them my one pan wonder..I wonder what I’ll be adding to the pot!
Smells like early Thanksgiving 🙂
Casseroles are great, you can use all kinds of ingredients and leftovers, and you can prepare it, so when the guests arrive, in the oven they go!
That’s the idea Tamara! I’ve made this with chicken, salmon and even tuna. It’s my one pan wonder…. wonder what I’ll put in it! LOL
Cooking for one isn’t hard when you realize that if you make a big batch you can make freezer meals. One cooking time, lots of meals!
Yes Anna, that’s why I like to make a dish that I can freeze in individual meals. Quick and easy!
I love recipes that turn leftovers into a completely new meal rather than something we feel obliged to eat again! This looks like the sort of simple, comforting dinner that would be very welcome after a busy day. I’m not a turkey fan, but I love the love we can share around a table! And congrats to your great-grandson! 🤗
The cool thing about this meal is, I’ve used chicken, tuna, and salmon so it’s a very versatile meal Dani.
It all looks good! Do you cook from a recipe or are you someone who can throw something together? I usually cook from a recipe and I envy those who can just throw things together and have it turn out great
Thanks Barbara, I don’t use a recipe I just toss things in the pan or dish. If something it to dry, I’ll add some kind of liquid, either broth, milk, water depending on what I’m making. Lia is the same way when she makes cakes or cookies. She adds her ingredients then adds water if too think or more flour and sugar if too soupy.