An easy Turkey Stuffing recipe with sage, thyme and rosemary that you will want on your table this year and every year for Thanksgiving!
When it comes to Thanksgiving, it simply would not be complete without the turkey stuffing (or dressing!) on the table. Whether it’s stuffed inside of the turkey or baked in the oven, turkey stuffing is an essential part of what makes Thanksgiving so special.
Last year I shared my recipe for savory Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and lots of fresh herbs with you, so this year I decided to go back to the basics and share this more classic version that is quick and easy to make.
I’ve heard from some of you that making homemade stuffing from scratch is a little intimidating. I used to feel the same way years ago before I had ever tried making homemade turkey stuffing, only to discover that Turkey Stuffing is one of the easiest things you could possibly make! Promise!
This classic turkey stuffing recipe is made with simple ingredients! Here is a brief overview of what makes up this delicious Thanksgiving side dish. For the full list of ingredients and all measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Turkey stuffing casserole is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey and stuffing after the holidays. This comforting casserole combines seasoned stuffing, cubed turkey, and a simple cream soup sauce for an easy baked meal that feels like Thanksgiving 2.0.
Making turkey stuffing casserole is simple. With just a few ingredients and steps you can pull together a hearty and delicious meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Keep reading for tips on assembling this easy turkey casserole with stuffing.
Ingredients Needed
To make turkey stuffing casserole, you will need:
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Leftover cooked stuffing You can use store-bought seasoned stuffing mix or homemade stuffing made with bread cubes, broth, and seasonings. Cornbread stuffing, wheat bread stuffing, and gluten-free stuffing all work well
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Cubed cooked turkey, white or dark meat Leftover sliced turkey works too if you cut it into bite-size pieces Rotisserie chicken can be substituted.
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Cream of chicken, celery, or mushroom soup. The condensed soup acts as the sauce.
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Fresh parsley, scallions, or celery for flavor and color.
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Shredded cheddar cheese if you want a cheesy turkey casserole.
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Butter or oil for greasing the baking dish.
How to Make Turkey Stuffing Casserole:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish with butter or oil.
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In a bowl, mix cooked stuffing with minced parsley or scallions. This adds a pop of color and freshness.
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Transfer seasoned stuffing to prepared baking dish. Press into an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
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Top stuffing evenly with cubed cooked turkey. Arrange turkey pieces in a single layer if possible.
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Whisk condensed soup with some milk or water. Use a 10.75 ounce can of condensed cream of chicken, celery or mushroom soup plus 1/2 cup liquid whisked in. This will be the sauce.
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Pour soup sauce evenly over the turkey layer. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar on top.
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Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Uncover until heated through and cheese is melted. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
That’s all it takes to make this easy and delicious turkey casserole with stuffing! The creamy soup binds everything together for a comforting meal that feels cozy and celebratory.
Turkey Stuffing Casserole Variations
Once you master the basic turkey stuffing casserole recipe, try these tasty additions and tweaks:
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Mix in cooked vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or Brussels sprouts with the turkey layer.
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Add dollops of leftover Thanksgiving side dishes like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or cranberry sauce over the turkey before baking.
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Use jarred gravy instead of soup for the sauce. Pour turkey, chicken or vegetarian gravy over the turkey layer.
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Stir in cooked wild rice, quinoa, or wheat berries to the stuffing base for extra texture and nutrition.
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Top with crispy fried onions or crushed potato chips before baking for crunch.
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Make it southwestern-style by using cornbread stuffing and spicy roasted turkey. Top with shredded pepperjack cheese and sliced jalapenos.
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For Italian flavor, use spinach herb stuffing and turkey Italian sausage. Top with mozzarella and marinara sauce.
Turkey Stuffing Casserole Tips
Follow these tips for the best results when making turkey stuffing casserole:
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If reheating a fully cooked turkey specifically to use in this recipe, cube the turkey while still warm. It will be easier to cut.
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Underbake the stuffing initially when making it from scratch to use in casseroles. It will bake longer once assembled.
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For a moister casserole, cover with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking time, then uncover.
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Let the baked casserole rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days for food safety. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
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Casserole can be assembled up to a day ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator before baking. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
Simple Side Dishes
Serve your homemade turkey stuffing casserole with simple sides like:
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Tossed green salad with vinaigrette
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Roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli
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Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
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Dinner rolls
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Cranberry sauce
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Glazed carrots
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Roasted vegetables like cauliflower or butternut squash
A crispy green salad is the perfect complement to the rich flavors of turkey stuffing casserole. Tangy vinaigrette and crunchy veggies balance the creamy baked casserole.
Storing and Freezing Casserole
Leftover turkey stuffing casserole will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave as needed.
The baked casserole can also be frozen for longer storage. Let cool completely, then transfer leftovers to freezer bags or airtight containers. It will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Assembled but unbaked casseroles can be frozen too. Prepare the casserole as directed, but do not bake it. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake as directed. This is handy for having an emergency meal on hand for busy nights.
Satisfying and Simple
Turkey stuffing casserole brings together leftover turkey, stuffing and creamy soup for a satisfying meal that requires minimal work. Make it on the weekend for easy lunches during the week, or bake this comforting casserole when holiday leftovers need a new twist. This recipe pleases both kids and adults with its delicious combination of textures and flavors. Experiment with fun additions to discover new favorite versions. Enjoy this super simple turkey casserole all season long.
Best Bread For Stuffing
Using slightly old and dry bread will hold up better when combined with the other ingredients and baked, and prevents the stuffing from getting soggy and mushy. You can make homemade fresh bread from scratch to use for the stuffing, or you can buy a 1 pound loaf of bread from the grocery store. The key to good stuffing is to use at least day-old bread! In addition to using bread that is slightly old and stale, we bake it to dry it out even more.
At least one day in advance, cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Arrange on a baking sheet and allow to sit, uncovered on the counter, to dry out. Stale, dried out bread works the best! When you are ready to put your stuffing together, place the baking sheet of dried bread crumbs in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread starts to brown.
When you are making a meal for a holiday, it is so helpful to do as much prep ahead of time as you can. Here are some simple ways to save time on this stuffing by making it ahead of time!
- Dry your bread out up to two weeks in advance. This step doesn’t take much hands-on time, but since you want to use old bread anyways, is beneficial to do ahead of time.
- Prepare your stuffing casserole and pour it into a casserole dish. Rather than baking it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you are ready to bake it, take it out of the fridge, uncover it, and bake according to the recipe directions.
- If you want to prepare it more than two days in advance, prepare the stuffing and put it in a disposable or aluminum baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to three months. If you are freezing this recipe, I do not recommend putting it in a glass or ceramic baking dish due to the risk of it shattering in your oven when you go to bake it. You will need to add extra cooking time if you are baking the stuffing from frozen.
How to Make Turkey Stuffing
Here is a brief overview of how this classic turkey stuffing recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Brown the bread. Place the tray of cubed bread in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread starts to brown. Read more on what kind of bread to use below.
- Sauté the vegetables. Melt the butter in a large skillet and cook the onion and celery until soft and tender.
- Put the stuffing together. In a large bowl, mix together the toasted bread cubes, cooked vegetables, herbs, salt, pepper, and egg. Sometimes this is easiest to do with clean hands! Then add in the turkey broth and mix.
- Bake the stuffing. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared casserole dish – a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish works well for this. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After that, I always take the foil off and let the stuffing cook a little bit longer so that the top can toast up!
How To Make Turkey and Stuffing Casserole | How To Feed a Loon
FAQ
What are the three ingredients in a turkey casserole?
- Cooked turkey – Shred or chop turkey. …
- Bread Dressing (Stuffing if you like) Premade or leftover. …
- Cream of chicken soup – use low sodium since your leftovers have already been seasoned.
Should stuffing be cooked before stuffing turkey?
If you’re using raw meat, poultry or shellfish to make your stuffing, cook those first, add them to your stuffing mix and then immediately stuff your bird.Oct 23, 2024
How long to cook turkey casserole in the oven?
Heat the butter in a flameproof casserole dish, add the turkey and fry, turning from time to time, until it just starts to brown. Add the leeks, carrots, celery and stock, cover and cook in the oven for about 45 minutes.
What can I do with leftover turkey stuffing?
- 01 of 10. Thanksgiving Leftovers Monkey Bread. …
- 02 of 10. Loaded Turkey and Gravy Stuffed Potatoes. …
- 03 of 10. Delicious Turkey Soup with Deep-Fried Stuffing Balls. …
- 04 of 10. Leftover Turkey Cheesecake. …
- 05 of 10. Amish Turkey Casserole. …
- 06 of 10. Thanksgiving Egg Rolls. …
- 07 of 10. …
- 08 of 10.
What is a turkey stuffing casserole?
A turkey stuffing casserole is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey and stuffing after the holidays. This comforting casserole is creamy, flavorful, and full of tender turkey, vegetables, and stuffing. It’s an easy and delicious meal that the whole family will love. To make a turkey stuffing casserole you’ll need
What to do with leftover turkey stuffing?
This turkey stuffing casserole will give your family that exact feeling and more. Casseroles are not just reserved for Thanksgiving. You can enjoy them all year long. This leftover turkey casserole can be made with turkey breast and leftover stuffing.
How long does turkey stuffing take to cook?
Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted, 30 to 40 minutes. What is the difference between turkey stuffing and turkey dressing?
How long does turkey casserole with stuffing last?
Sprinkle with cheese: A little grated cheddar or pepperjack sprinkled on top before baking adds gooey stretch and cheesy flavor to this turkey casserole with stuffing, reminiscent of a turkey melt. Once your turkey casserole with stuffing has cooled, cover the pan tightly and store leftovers in the fridge for up to four days.
What can I substitute for gravy in a turkey & stuffing casserole?
Undiluted cream of chicken soup with a little water whisked in is a handy substitute for gravy to sauce this turkey and stuffing casserole. You can absolutely use jarred turkey or chicken gravy instead. Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the stuffing and parsley.
How do you make a turkey burger stuffed with sour cream?
Pour that golden, creamy sauce over the turkey and veggies, stir in some sour cream, and just keep stirring until it’s all coated well. Pour that into a large, deep baking dish. Spoon the cold stuffing on top of the turkey mixture, or use your hands, and break it up as you go.