If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing way to transform your leftover turkey into something spectacular, this Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe is about to be your new best friend. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender turkey, fresh spinach, and comforting pasta all baked to golden perfection. This recipe effortlessly turns those holiday leftovers or any extra turkey into a warm, satisfying family meal that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential, creating a balance of creamy, savory, and fresh flavors with textures ranging from tender turkey to crunchy browned cheese on top. Each one plays its part to deliver a satisfying pasta bake experience everyone will love.
- Olive oil: Adds a lovely depth of flavor and helps sauté the vegetables perfectly.
- Leek: Offers a subtle onion-like sweetness that softens and melds beautifully into the dish.
- Mushrooms: Bring an earthy richness and meaty texture.
- Garlic: Infuses the bake with its warm, aromatic punch.
- Dry shells or macaroni pasta: The perfect shape to hold onto the creamy sauce and bits of turkey.
- Chicken or turkey stock: Provides a savory base that enhances the pasta’s flavor.
- Water: Keeps the pasta perfectly tender while cooking.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing all elements together.
- Cracked black pepper: Adds a little kick and complexity.
- Fresh baby spinach leaves: Adds freshness and vibrant green color, while slightly wilting into the creamy pasta.
- Cooked turkey: The star ingredient, adding protein and heartiness.
- Thickened cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously rich and velvety.
- Gruyère cheese: Melts beautifully with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Provides that irresistible gooey, stretchy texture topping the dish.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F) or 170°C if you’re using a fan-forced oven. It’s important to get your oven hot and ready for that final golden finish that makes a pasta bake irresistible.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat, then add the chopped leek and mushrooms. Cook them for 2-3 minutes until they’re soft and aromatic. Toss in the crushed garlic and sauté for another minute to release its wonderful fragrance. This base sets the tone for a deeply flavorful dish.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Sauce
Now add the dry pasta along with the chicken or turkey stock, water, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook this mixture for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be nearly cooked but still firm in the center. If it looks like it’s drying out, don’t hesitate to add up to half a cup more water to ensure it’s perfectly tender and saucy.
Step 4: Add the Greens, Turkey, and Cheese
Gently fold in the baby spinach leaves, chopped turkey, and two thirds of your combined cheese. Stir everything together until the cheese melts into the creamy mixture and the spinach wilts slightly. This step makes your bake rich, creamy, and packed with wholesome bites of turkey.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of your pasta mixture, then pop the whole pan into the oven. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese topping turns beautifully golden brown and tempting. The bubbling edges tell you it’s ready to dive into.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Bring your Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe straight to the table while warm and comforting. It’s a dish made for sharing, full of hearty flavors and creamy textures that feel like the ultimate comfort food.
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a handful of crispy fried onions on top adds a splash of color and a delightful crunch. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also brighten the richness, giving each mouthful a lovely lift.
Side Dishes
Serve this pasta bake with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette for balance. Roasted vegetables like carrots or asparagus also complement the creamy bake delightfully, bringing an extra layer of texture and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in small oven-safe ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets. It makes the meal feel personal and special. Pair it with crusty garlic bread for dipping and you’ve got a feast worthy of any family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors continue to meld together, making it even tastier the next day.
Freezing
If you want to save some for a future meal, freeze the bake in a suitable container for up to two months. Just be sure it cools completely before freezing to maintain the best texture and flavor when reheated.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and bubbly. Cover with foil to prevent drying, removing it near the end to crisp up the top again, restoring that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While shells or macaroni are ideal for trapping the creamy sauce, you can substitute with penne, fusilli, or any pasta shape you have on hand. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely. Swap the turkey for hearty veggies like roasted butternut squash or mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of chicken or turkey stock to keep the flavors rich and satisfying.
Can I prepare this recipe without an oven-safe pan?
If you don’t have an oven-safe pan, cook everything in a regular skillet, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese topping and baking.
How do I know when the pasta is perfectly cooked before baking?
Aim for the pasta to be “al dente” during the stovetop cooking step — tender but still firm in the centre. It will finish cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking it beforehand.
What cheese can I use if I don’t have Gruyère?
Emmental or a mild sharp cheddar are fantastic alternatives that melt well and offer lovely flavor. You can also experiment a bit with what you enjoy in your cheesy bakes.
Final Thoughts
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe is a warm hug on a plate, turning simple ingredients and yesterday’s turkey into a dish brimming with comfort and flavor. It’s easy, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a hungry family or crowd with minimal fuss. Trust me, once you try it, it will become a favorite way to enjoy turkey leftovers your family won’t forget.
Print
Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes baking + 12 minutes stovetop cooking
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake is a comforting and family-friendly dish perfect for using up leftover turkey. It combines sautéed leeks, mushrooms, garlic, and spinach with tender pasta, creamy cheese, and flavorful turkey, all baked to a golden perfection. Quick to prepare and full of rich flavors, this bake offers a satisfying meal for six servings.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 leek, roughly chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 big handfuls fresh baby spinach leaves
Pasta and Liquids
- 250 grams dry shells or macaroni pasta
- 1 cup chicken/turkey stock
- 1 1/4 cups water (plus up to 1/2 cup more if needed)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Protein and Dairy
- 3 cups cooked turkey, roughly chopped
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) or 170°C if using a fan-forced oven. This ensures it’s ready for baking the pasta dish to golden perfection.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the leek and mushrooms for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add crushed garlic and cook for another minute to release the aroma.
- Cook Pasta Mixture: Add the dry pasta, chicken or turkey stock, water, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Simmer for about 12 minutes until the pasta is nearly cooked but still slightly firm. Add up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary to keep it from drying out.
- Add Spinach, Turkey, and Cheese: Stir in the fresh spinach leaves, chopped turkey, and two-thirds of the combined Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses. Mix thoroughly until the cheese melts into the creamy sauce.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy this hearty, comforting meal that perfectly utilizes leftover turkey for a satisfying family dinner.
Notes
- You can substitute the Gruyère cheese with cheddar if preferred.
- If you don’t have turkey stock, chicken stock works just as well.
- Add extra vegetables such as peas or carrots for more color and nutrition.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lighter version, replace cream with half-and-half or a low-fat cream alternative.
