Thanksgiving is over, and you’ve got a fridge stocked with stuffing, turkey, potatoes, and probably enough cranberry sauce to last a lifetime. But before you throw together another plain old turkey sandwich, here’s a game-changer: Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole.
This cozy casserole layers all your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers with a little cheesy, creamy twist (looking at you, cranberry mayo). It’s like Thanksgiving in one bite, and it’s the ultimate way to keep the holiday magic going for just a bit longer.
Besides this one dish recipe, I am always looking for ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers, like this Leftover Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict or this Mexican take with Turkey Tostadas that I think you will love!
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Why You'll Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole
No Waste: Perfect for using up every bit of leftover goodness from your Thanksgiving table without getting bored of the same flavors.
Comfort Food: The layers of turkey, stuffing, and potatoes baked together make it super hearty and satisfying.
It’s Unexpected: This is not your average leftover recipe—it's unique enough to make everyone excited about eating leftovers.
Ingredients
Besides your normal turkey thanksgiving leftovers, you will need cheese and mayo for the sauce. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.
- Mashed potatoes
- Turkey
- Leftover stuffing
- Whole berry cranberry sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
See recipe card below for full ingredient amounts.
How To Make Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole
Stuffing Layer
Spray a 9x9 baking dish with olive oil spray and layer with leftover stuffing.
Turkey Layer
Spread leftover turkey over top of the stuffing mixture.
Cranberry Mayo
Stir together the cranberry sauce and mayonnaise until well combined.
Cranberry Layer
Spread the cranberry mayonnaise over top of the turkey layer.
Final Layer
Spread a layer of mashed potatoes over top of the cranberry layer, top with more leftover stuffing and cheese.
- Spoon leftover stuffing into the prepared casserole dish, packing it into the bottom of the pan to cover the bottom completely.
- Add a layer of leftover turkey over top of the stuffing.
- In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup of mayonnaise and cranberry sauce.
- Spread cranberry mayo over top of the turkey layer.
- Combine the remaining mayonnaise, the leftover mashed potatoes and cheese in large bowl. Evenly spread the potato mixture on top of the turkey mixture, then top with remaining 2 cups stuffing.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until heated through. Allow the leftover turkey casserole to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
Turkey: If you’re out of turkey, any cooked protein works! Try shredded chicken, ham, or even crumbled sausage.
Stuffing: No leftover stuffing? Use a prepackaged box of Stove-Top stuffing instead!
Cheese: sub any of your favorite cheeses for the mozzarella. Cheddar or Gruyere are great choices.
Variations
Make it Spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce over the cranberry mayo for a bit of kick.
Add some crunch: Sprinkle the top of the casserole with French Fried Onions.
Add Veggies: Green beans, roasted carrots, or any leftover roasted veggies make a tasty addition.
Top Tip
Use Room Temperature Leftovers: Cold leftovers can take longer to heat through, so let everything sit out for a few minutes before assembling.
Equipment
8' square baking dish,
Large mixing spoon
Mixing bowls
Storage
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
To reheat: warm leftovers in a covered oven safe dish at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Serve with
Serve leftover Thanksgiving casserole with a leafy green salad or air fryer brussels sprouts.
Related Recipes
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Leftover Thanksgiving Casserole
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Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover stuffing divided
- 4 cups leftover cooked turkey coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Spray 8-inch baking dish with no-stick cooking spray. Spoon in 2 cups stuffing, then top with turkey.
- Combine ¼ cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with cranberry sauce; evenly spread over turkey.
- Combine remaining ½ cup Mayonnaise, potatoes and cheese in large bowl. Evenly spread on turkey, then top with remaining 2 cups stuffing.
- Bake 40 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired, with dried cranberries.
Pamela Moore says
My family loves this casserole so much that they asked me to make it a second time from the same original thanksgiving meal leftovers this year instead of having me make my wonderful turkey soup with the last of the turkey. LOVE LOVE LOVE this casserole! I make it with some alterations— twice the cranberry-mayo, all the stuffing on the bottom (none on top), additional cheese on the top. We love the way the cranberry-mayo layer keeps the turkey moist and plump, and love the tangy flavor it imparts. Every bite is delicious!
Laurel says
Making this tomorrow for the weekend. I regularly roast whole turkey breasts and we just can't eat so much at one time so this is a terrific way to use us the leftover meat! Thank you so much for the idea!
Shelby Law Ruttan says
Hi Laurel, thanks for stopping by and for trying the recipe. I hope you love it also! Shelby
Jessica Blackburn says
I haven't seen if we're supposed to cover lightly or bake un covered for this recipe.
I've covered it lightly for the first 20 minutes. It's still in the oven.
I'll post when the casserole is finished with how Ive done it the best way I can.
Thank you for sharing. I did make a few changes due to the fact I'm a left handed person so a lot of times I do things differently.
Ttysoon,
Jess
Shelby says
Hi Jess, I did not cover my casserole when baking. I hope it turned out well for you, it is a really delicious (to us!) recipe. 🙂 BTW, I'm left handed too 🙂
Kristi Kellberg says
This turkey casserole looks so yummy! This is a great way to use up all the Thanksgiving leftovers. I'm going to try it
with my Hellmann's mayonnaise.
Nancy Wallner says
This looks so yummy!! I am going to make it tonight.
erica s says
This looks SO good! I love the idea of mellowing out the cranberry sauce with mayo - and Hellman's is the best!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Oh, this is a fabulous idea for those Thanksgiving leftovers! 🙂 I think this just made it on my dinner plan for the weekend.
Sandra says
This casserole looks delicious! Let's skip Thanksgiving dinner and go straight to the leftovers! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah says
I would never thought to add the mayo! Sounds like a perfect way to kick up the leftovers a notch!
Glenn says
Well, that is a delightful looking casserole and a great way to use leftovers up. I just hope we have some!
Shelby says
🙂 Glenn, I have a feeling you will get some snow considering where you live....but I wouldn't cry if we didn't. lol I am loving the fact I haven't had to refill my furnace yet!