Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe with stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, milk, and chicken broth.

Okay, confession time: the day after Thanksgiving, my fridge looks like it survived a food explosion. Containers everywhere. Foil-wrapped “mystery parcels.” And turkey—so much turkey. It’s like it multiplies overnight. Sound familiar?

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

One year, on day three (maybe day four, I lost track), I opened the fridge, sighed, and thought, if I see one more turkey sandwich, I’m calling for pizza. Out of frustration—or laziness, depending how you spin it—I grabbed everything in sight and layered it into a casserole dish. Turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, gravy, stuffing. Honestly, it looked like a toddler’s science project. But when I pulled it out of the oven, bubbling and golden, my husband said, “Whoa, this smells like Thanksgiving all over again.” And he wasn’t wrong.

That messy experiment turned into the Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe I now make every single year. And weirdly enough, my family sometimes gets more excited about it than the actual Thanksgiving dinner. Go figure.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe?

Here’s the thing—it doesn’t just reheat leftovers. It transforms them. It’s like giving your holiday dinner a second act. Turkey gets a sweet coat of cranberry sauce, potatoes act as a creamy blanket, gravy seeps into every corner, and the stuffing crisps on top like the encore we all needed.

And let’s be real—it’s way easier than cooking an actual holiday meal. You’re not spending hours basting or babysitting. You’re stacking, layering, and letting the oven do the work. I’ll admit, it’s not glamorous, but who cares? It’s delicious. And sometimes, that’s all that matters.

Ingredient Notes:

Let’s break down why each part of this Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe matters (and no, it’s not just fridge-cleaning):

Stuffing – Think of it as the crispy lid. Chicken broth keeps it from drying out into cardboard.
Mashed potatoes – They’re the cozy blanket that makes this whole thing work. Smooth them out like you’re frosting a cake. Imperfect swirls? Totally fine.
Turkey – Chop it small so it mixes well. Big chunks feel clunky here.
Cranberry sauce – The tart little kick that saves the dish from being too heavy. Don’t skip it, unless you’re anti-cranberry (no judgment, well maybe a little).
Gravy – The magic glue. Mixing with milk makes it pourable and helps it spread evenly.
Milk – Lightens up the gravy just enough.
Chicken broth – Keeps the stuffing topping moist enough to crisp instead of turning into a brick.

How To Make Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole?

Step 1: Heat it up.
Preheat your oven to 400º F. No oven, no casserole magic.

Step 2: Turkey + cranberry.
Spread the turkey on the bottom of a baking dish. Add cranberry sauce, stir it together, and smooth it out. Looks messy, but trust the process.

Step 3: Potatoes.
Spread mashed potatoes on top. Smooth them into the corners. If it looks like frosted cake gone wrong, you’re on the right track.

Step 4: Gravy mix.
Whisk the gravy with milk. Pour it over the potatoes. Don’t stress if it sinks weirdly—it’ll even out in the oven.

Step 5: Stuffing time.
Scatter stuffing over everything. Drizzle chicken broth over the top so it bakes crisp but not dry.

Step 6: Bake.
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then cover with foil and bake another 15. It should come out bubbling and smelling like a second Thanksgiving dinner.

Step 7: Eat.
Spoon it onto plates, ignore the mess, and enjoy.

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Storage Options:

This casserole is basically leftovers of leftovers, so yeah—it stores like a champ. Keep it in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat in the oven to keep the stuffing crisp. Microwave if you’re in a hurry (though it’ll lose crunch). Freezer-friendly too: just wrap it tight and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking again.

Variations and Substitutions:

This Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe isn’t strict—it’s more of a suggestion. Swap, mix, add as needed:

No cranberry sauce? Use green bean casserole or roasted veggies instead.
Want more flavor? Add shredded cheese between the potato and stuffing layers.
Out of turkey? Ham, chicken, or even roast beef can work.
No gravy left? Use cream of mushroom soup or make a quick béchamel.
Need veggies? Toss in roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, or corn.

What to Serve with Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole?

Honestly, this casserole could be the whole meal. But if you’re feeling extra:

Crisp salad – Something light to balance the richness.
Dinner rolls – Because carbs on carbs is never wrong.
Extra cranberry relish – For the cranberry lovers in the crowd.
Roasted veggies – Just to make yourself feel a little healthier.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make it ahead of time?
Yep. Assemble the day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when you’re ready.

Can I freeze it?
Totally. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Do I have to use all the leftovers listed?
Nope. Think of this as a template. Use what you’ve got. If it layers, it plays.

This Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe is proof that chaos can be delicious. It turns fridge clutter into something cozy and comforting—and dare I say, sometimes better than the actual Thanksgiving dinner. So tell me, do you still end up with way too much turkey, or is stuffing your leftover nemesis?

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Remember it later!

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Glazed Carrots With Brown Sugar And Butter

Delicious Crispy Chicken Crunch Casserole Recipe

Rich and Savory Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches