If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting way to transform your extra turkey into a crowd-pleasing meal, this Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine tender pasta shells enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce bursting with fresh spinach, earthy mushrooms, and flavorful leeks, all baked to golden perfection. It’s the kind of dish that makes the most of those holiday leftovers while delivering a warm, satisfying dinner that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for any night of the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together beautifully to create a dish packed with flavor, creamy texture, and vibrant color. Each one plays a key role in turning ordinary leftovers into a magical meal everyone will love.
- Olive oil: The perfect base for sautéing vegetables, adding a silky richness without overpowering the flavors.
- Leek: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth, elevating the dish beyond your typical pasta bake.
- Sliced mushrooms: Bring an earthy, meaty bite that perfectly complements the turkey.
- Garlic: A punch of fragrant flavor that wakes up the entire dish.
- Dry shells or macaroni pasta: These shapes hold onto the creamy sauce wonderfully, ensuring every bite is luscious.
- Chicken or turkey stock: Adds savory depth and moisture, making this bake anything but dry.
- Water: Helps cook the pasta perfectly in the pan without sticking or clumping.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors into beautiful balance.
- Cracked black pepper: Adds a gentle heat that cuts through the richness.
- Fresh baby spinach leaves: Bursting with color and a fresh, mild earthiness that lightens the dish.
- Cooked turkey: The star ingredient, providing tender protein that’s ready to shine.
- Thickened cream: Creates the luxuriously creamy sauce everyone adores.
- Shredded Gruyère cheese: Nutty and melty, it adds layers of cheesy decadence.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives a stretchy, gooey topping that turns golden and irresistible when baked.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 190°C (170°C fan forced) or 375°F. This ensures it’s hot and ready to give your pasta bake a beautiful golden top once all the ingredients come together. Getting this step right means your dish finishes perfectly every time.
Step 2: Sauté Your Veggies
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped leek and mushrooms, cooking them gently for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Then add crushed garlic and sauté for another minute to infuse everything with that lovely aroma that signals the start of something delicious.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Sauce
Add your dry pasta, chicken or turkey stock, water, salt, and cracked black pepper to the pan. Stir everything together and simmer for about 12 minutes, until the pasta is just tender but still firm to the bite. Keep an eye on it—if the liquid starts to look low, add up to half a cup of water to keep everything moist and perfectly cooked.
Step 4: Mix in the Greens, Turkey, and Cheese
Now it’s time for those fresh baby spinach leaves and chunks of cooked turkey to join the party. Stir them in, then sprinkle in two-thirds of the combined Gruyère and mozzarella cheese. Mix well so the cheese starts to melt into a luscious, creamy sauce that wraps around every pasta shell and morsel of turkey.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Scatter the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top of the pan for that irresistible golden crust. Pop the whole pan into your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. You want that cheese bubbling and turning a perfect golden brown, signaling it’s ready to come out and be devoured.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, serve your Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe warm straight from the oven. This dish is a celebration of flavors and textures, from the crispy cheese topping to the creamy, cheesy sauce packed with tender turkey and fresh greens. It’s pure comfort food at its best, made even better because it’s so simple to prepare.
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this dish, add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a dusting of cracked black pepper right before serving. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a few chili flakes can also bring an exciting extra punch if you like a bit of heat. These small touches add freshness and a pop of color that make the pasta bake feel even more special.
Side Dishes
Pair this hearty bake with a crisp green salad to balance out the creamy richness, or offer roasted vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts for a cozy, well-rounded meal. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette also fits the bill perfectly, giving you something to mop up every last cheesy bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in small ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets to impress guests or family members. You can even layer the pasta bake in glass dishes to showcase all those vibrant colors and textures. Whether for a casual weeknight or a festive gathering, presentation makes this beloved recipe even more inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through, making for a quick and satisfying meal any time.
Freezing
If you want to keep this dish longer, it freezes beautifully. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers, and it will last for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain that creamy texture and delicious flavor.
Reheating
To reheat your leftovers, cover the bake with foil to avoid drying out and warm it in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions covered loosely to trap steam, stirring halfway to ensure even heat distribution. Adding a splash of cream or milk during reheating can bring back that luscious creaminess.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this bake?
Absolutely! While shells or macaroni work wonderfully here, penne, fusilli, or rigatoni are also excellent choices because they hold the sauce well. Just adjust cooking times as needed based on the pasta shape.
What if I don’t have Gruyère cheese?
You can substitute Gruyère with other melting cheeses like sharp cheddar, fontina, or even a mix of mozzarella and parmesan. Each will add its unique character but keep the dish deliciously cheesy.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply leave out the turkey and replace the stock with vegetable stock. You can add extra mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or even plant-based protein to keep the dish hearty and satisfying.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time before baking?
Definitely! Assemble the bake up to step 5, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
How can I add more veggies to this pasta bake?
Feel free to toss in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes during the sauté step. Adding frozen peas or sweet corn in step 4 works well too, packing extra nutrition and color into the dish.
Final Thoughts
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe has become a personal favorite because it turns simple leftovers into a heartwarming, delicious feast that feels like a special occasion. Whether you’re cooking for family, guests, or just treating yourself, this recipe brings together comfort, convenience, and incredible flavor in one joyful dish. Give it a try soon—you might just find your new go-to way to enjoy turkey any time of year!
Print
Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes baking + 12 minutes stovetop simmering
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious casserole perfect for using up cooked turkey. Featuring sautéed leeks, mushrooms, and garlic combined with pasta simmered in stock and water, then mixed with fresh spinach, turkey, and melted Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. Baked until golden and bubbly, this family favorite offers a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying meal ideal for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 leek, roughly chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 big handfuls fresh baby spinach leaves
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken or turkey stock
- 1 1/4 cups water (plus up to 1/2 cup more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 250 grams dry shells or macaroni pasta
- 3 cups cooked turkey, roughly chopped
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan-forced) or 375°F to prepare for baking the pasta dish later.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add leek and mushrooms and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add crushed garlic and sauté for another minute to develop flavor.
- Cook Pasta in Liquid: Add dry pasta, chicken or turkey stock, water, salt, and pepper to the pan. Let it cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost tender but still firm. Add up to ½ cup more water if needed to prevent drying out.
- Add Spinach, Turkey, and Cheese: Stir in the fresh baby spinach leaves, cooked turkey, and two-thirds of the combined Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. Mix well so the cheese melts and everything is integrated smoothly.
- Bake the Pasta Bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Place the pan uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the pasta bake warm. This dish is a hearty, comforting meal great for using up leftover turkey.
Notes
- If you don’t have fresh spinach, baby spinach works well too and can be substituted equally.
- Add extra water gradually while cooking pasta to ensure it doesn’t dry out and cooks evenly.
- This recipe works with leftover roasted turkey or cooked chicken as a substitute.
- Use an oven-safe pan to eliminate the need to transfer the mixture before baking, saving cleanup time.
- Gruyère cheese provides a nutty flavor, but you can substitute with a similar hard cheese if unavailable.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of thickened cream.
