This Turkey Casserole is all about bringing warmth and ease to your dinner table. With tender turkey, pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs, it’s the kind of comfort food that makes you want seconds. Each bite has a little crunch from the topping and plenty of flavor from the seasonings, making it a dish you’ll come back to whenever you need something filling and fuss-free.
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For me, this turkey casserole is just right for holiday leftovers or any time when you want an easy, filling dish that doesn’t need a lot of attention. You can make it in advance, pop it in the oven, and just enjoy it. Perfect for family holidays, game days, or even a casual weeknight meal, it brings a bit of comfort and plenty of flavor with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Turkey Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
This turkey casserole comes together easily when you follow my simple steps.
Prep the Oven and Cook the Pasta
Get your oven preheated to 350°F (180ºC). Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but take it out 2-3 minutes before it’s fully cooked. This keeps it firm for baking.
Sauté the Veggies
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, and minced garlic.
Cook for about 7 minutes, letting the onions soften and the mushrooms brown lightly.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Breakfast Casserole
∙ Cheeseburger Casserole
∙ Four Cheese Ravioli Casserole
∙ Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
∙ Sweet Potato Casserole
...and much more!
Mix Up the Casserole
In a large bowl, combine the cooked veggies, cream of chicken soup, milk, oregano, Swiss cheese, and shredded or diced turkey.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix it all together until combined.
Prep the Topping
For the crispy topping, combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter in a small bowl. Stir to make sure the crumbs are well-coated.
Assemble and Bake
Lightly grease your baking dish, then spread the turkey mixture evenly into the dish. Sprinkle the buttery breadcrumb topping across the top.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until the topping is golden and crisp.
Garnish and Serve
Take the casserole out and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil for a pop of color, and serve it warm!
Easy Turkey Casserole Recipe
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 3 cups elbow or bows pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cups mushrooms sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 ⅓ cups milk
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese shredded
- 3 cups cooked turkey shredded or diced
- Fresh basil to serve
Toppings:
- ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, draining it 2-3 minutes before it’s fully done to keep it firm. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180ºC).3 cups elbow or bows pasta
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add the onions, mushrooms, and garlic, cooking for around 7 minutes until the veggies soften and onions turn translucent.2 tablespoons butter, 1 onion, 2 cups mushrooms, 2 garlic cloves
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked veggies, cream of chicken soup, milk, oregano, shredded Swiss cheese, and turkey. Season with salt and pepper and mix until everything is well combined.2 cups condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 ⅓ cups milk, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese, 3 cups cooked turkey
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with melted butter, stirring until the crumbs are coated.¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs, ¼ cup butter
- Lightly grease a baking dish, then pour in the turkey mixture. Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the casserole. Bake for 15 minutes or until the topping is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil if you'd like, and serve warm.Fresh basil
Video
Notes
- Firm Pasta: Stop cooking the pasta a little early to keep it from getting too soft in the casserole. This keeps each bite hearty.
- Flavor Twist: Swap mushrooms with bell peppers or zucchini if you want a different flavor profile.
- Cheese Boost: Try Gruyere or a mix of Swiss and mozzarella for a richer, creamier casserole.
- Soup Substitute: Out of cream of chicken? Cream of mushroom works well and adds an earthy flavor.
- Extra Crunch: Mix panko breadcrumbs with the regular ones if you love a super crispy topping.
- Oven Position: Place the casserole on the middle rack for an evenly browned topping.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley or basil just before serving can brighten up the flavors and look.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Breakfast Casserole
∙ Cheeseburger Casserole
∙ Four Cheese Ravioli Casserole
∙ Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
∙ Sweet Potato Casserole
...and much more!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
I’ve gathered some tips to make this turkey casserole a success every time.
- Firm Pasta: Stop cooking the pasta a little early to keep it from getting too soft in the casserole. This keeps each bite hearty.
- Flavor Twist: Swap mushrooms with bell peppers or zucchini if you want a different flavor profile.
- Cheese Boost: Try Gruyere or a mix of Swiss and mozzarella for a richer, creamier casserole.
- Soup Substitute: Out of cream of chicken? Cream of mushroom works well and adds an earthy flavor.
- Extra Crunch: Mix panko breadcrumbs with the regular ones if you love a super crispy topping.
- Oven Position: Place the casserole on the middle rack for an evenly browned topping.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley or basil just before serving can brighten up the flavors and look.
How to Store Leftover Turkey Casserole
To keep your casserole tasting fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, you can use the oven or microwave for best results.
If you’d like to freeze it, this dish holds up well for up to 2 months. Just transfer the cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container, label it with the date, and freeze.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm it up in the oven until heated through to bring back that comforting, just-baked flavor.
What to Serve with Turkey Casserole
This turkey casserole is a meal in itself, but pairing it with a few simple sides can make it feel even more special.
A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing crunch and balances out the richness of the casserole. Roasted veggies like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts also work well and add a pop of color to your plate.
And don’t forget some crusty bread or a warm dinner roll to soak up every last bit of the creamy sauce! For a little extra flavor, add a spoonful of cranberry sauce on the side—it gives just the right hint of sweetness to round out each bite.
