Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day is basically my favorite answer to the classic problem of waking up after the holiday and staring at a fridge packed with little containers. You know the ones, a scoop of stuffing here, a bit of turkey there, and half a bag of shredded cheese that nobody remembers opening. I love leftovers, but I do not love eating five separate mini meals on five separate plates. This is the cozy, simple fix that pulls everything together into one hot, bubbly pan. It tastes like Thanksgiving all over again, but in the best low effort way.

What makes this Thanksgiving leftovers casserole different?

I have made a lot of “leftover bakes” over the years, but this one is the one I come back to because it is flexible without being random. The goal is not to make a kitchen sink casserole that tastes like confusion. The goal is to build clear layers, keep the texture right, and make sure every bite has something savory, something creamy, and a little crispy top action.

What makes this version special is the way it uses what you already have, but still feels intentional. Stuffing does the job of a base and a topping if you want it to. Mashed potatoes turn into a soft, creamy layer that holds everything together. Turkey stays juicy because it is tucked between warm layers instead of drying out on a plate in the microwave.

Also, it is a great “gateway casserole” if you are already a casserole person. If you like hearty bakes, you probably have favorites like a comforting ground beef and potatoes casserole for easy dinners. This is the holiday cousin of that, with less shopping and more nostalgia.

Here is the basic idea of what goes in, and you can swap based on what you actually have:

• Stuffing or dressing for that herby, savory bite
• Turkey or even ham if that is what your family did
• Mashed potatoes for creaminess and comfort
• Veggies like green beans, peas, corn, roasted carrots, or mixed veg
• Gravy plus a splash of broth if it is thick
• Cranberry sauce optional, but I love little pockets of sweet tart flavor
• Cheese optional, but honestly so good on top

One more thing, this is not just for Thanksgiving. If you have leftover baked pasta energy in your life, you will get it. It is the same comfort factor as this easy tuna casserole pasta bake, just with holiday flavors instead of noodles.

How to layer your leftovers casserole

I am going to walk you through my go to layering method. Think of it like building a lasagna, but way easier and nobody is boiling anything. You can use a 9×13 baking dish for a full family sized pan, or an 8×8 if you are working with smaller leftovers.

Step 1: Warm up the “wet” stuff first. If your gravy is cold and super thick, stir in a splash of turkey broth or chicken broth. You want it pourable so it spreads, not clumpy. If you do not have broth, a little water works, just add a pinch of salt if needed.

Step 2: Start with stuffing. Press a layer of stuffing into the bottom. If your stuffing is dry, drizzle a little broth over it so it bakes up tender. Not soaked, just lightly moistened.

Step 3: Add turkey and veggies. Spread chopped turkey in an even layer, then add veggies. If your veggies are already in a casserole like green bean casserole, you can spoon that right in. It is honestly perfect here.

Step 4: Gravy time. Pour gravy over the turkey and veg so it gets into the gaps. This is what keeps everything from tasting like reheated leftovers. It becomes one unified dish.

Step 5: Mashed potato layer. Drop mashed potatoes in spoonfuls and gently spread. If they are super stiff, stir in a little warm milk or broth first so they spread without tearing up the layers underneath.

Step 6: Top it off. You can do a thin layer of stuffing on top for crunch, or sprinkle cheese, or both. Sometimes I do cheese plus little nuggets of stuffing like croutons.

Baking: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes, then uncover for 10 to 15 minutes until the top is golden and everything is hot. If your leftovers were already warm, it will be faster. If everything was fridge cold, give it the full time.

If you like a casserole with a little “surprise” factor, try adding a few chopped pickled jalapenos or a spoon of salsa under the turkey layer. It sounds odd, but it gives a gentle kick like you get in a deliciously easy chile rellenos casserole vibe. Not traditional, but very fun.

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“I made this the day after Thanksgiving and my kids ate it without asking what was in it. That never happens with leftovers. The stuffing on top got crispy and the gravy kept everything moist. This one is staying in our yearly routine.”

Make Ahead & Storage

This is one of those recipes that actually behaves well when you make it ahead, which is a gift when you are tired from hosting or traveling. Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day can be assembled, covered, and parked in the fridge until you are ready to bake.

Make ahead options that actually work

If you want to prep it early, here is what I have learned the hard way:

Option 1: Assemble the whole casserole. Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When you bake, add 10 to 15 extra minutes since it is starting cold.

Option 2: Prep layers separately. If you are not sure how much of each leftover you have, keep them separate until you are ready. This keeps stuffing from getting too soft.

Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, but for the best texture, reheat in the oven or air fryer so the top gets a little crisp again.

Freezing: You can freeze it, but I recommend freezing before baking. Wrap the dish well, then thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. If your mashed potatoes are very buttery and creamy, they freeze better. If they are very milky, they can get a tiny bit grainy, but still totally edible.

And just a quick real life note, this casserole is great the next day, but it is also amazing the next next day. The flavors settle in, kind of like how a baked casserole such as a chicken cordon bleu casserole tastes even better after a night in the fridge.

Recipe Tips

These are the little things that make the difference between “fine” and “wow, this is actually really good.” I am not trying to turn you into a chef here, I just want your leftovers to taste like something you would serve on purpose.

My simple fixes for common leftover problems

If it seems dry: Add more gravy, or drizzle broth along the edges before baking. Stuffing is the biggest “thirsty” ingredient, so it needs a little moisture.

If it seems bland: Leftovers lose some punch after a night in the fridge. Sprinkle a little salt, black pepper, and a pinch of poultry seasoning between layers. Taste your gravy first before adding salt.

If your stuffing is already very soft: Put it only on top instead of using it as the bottom layer. Or mix it with a handful of crispy fried onions for texture.

If you want a crispy top: Bake uncovered for the last 10 to 15 minutes. You can even broil for 1 to 2 minutes, but watch it closely so it does not burn.

If you want a little tang: A thin layer of cranberry sauce between turkey and potatoes is surprisingly good. Not too much, just a few spoonfuls dotted around.

One more hosting tip: if you are serving this for a casual “friends leftovers lunch,” set out hot sauce, extra gravy, and cranberry sauce on the side. People love customizing their scoop.

Also, if you are already thinking about what to sip with leftovers, a festive drink can make it feel like a mini holiday redo. This deliciously easy Christmas punch for holiday cheer is obviously more December coded, but the idea is the same. Something fun in a glass makes leftovers feel like a plan, not just cleanup.

More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

I love Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day because it uses a little of everything, but sometimes you have a very specific leftover situation. Like you have tons of turkey but no mashed potatoes, or a mountain of stuffing and barely any meat. Here are a few ways to remix without feeling like you are eating the exact same plate again.

Easy leftover remix ideas

Turkey stuffing melts: Pile turkey and stuffing on rolls, add a little gravy, top with cheese, and broil until melty.

Mashed potato waffles: Mix mashed potatoes with an egg and a little flour, then crisp them in a waffle iron. Top with turkey and gravy.

Stuffing fried egg bowls: Warm stuffing in a skillet until it gets crispy, then top with a fried egg and a spoon of cranberry sauce.

Leftover soup: Simmer turkey, gravy, broth, and veggies. Add stuffing at the end like dumplings.

But if you are craving the easiest path, the casserole is still king. Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day is the one that makes the fridge look manageable again, and it is super forgiving if you are missing an ingredient or two.

Common Questions

Do I have to use stuffing?
Nope. If you do not have stuffing, use torn dinner rolls, leftover biscuits, or even cooked rice as the base. Just add a little broth so it does not bake up dry.

Can I make Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day without gravy?
Yes. Use cream of chicken soup thinned with a bit of broth, or make a quick sauce with butter, flour, and broth. Gravy gives the most Thanksgiving flavor, but you have options.

What temperature should it be when it is done?
You are just reheating cooked food, so you mainly want it hot all the way through. If you like numbers, aim for 165°F in the middle.

Can I add cheese?
Absolutely. Cheddar is my usual, but Swiss or mozzarella works too. Add it on top or between the potatoes and stuffing.

How do I keep the turkey from drying out?
Put turkey in the middle layers and cover it with gravy or sauce. Avoid putting turkey right on top where it bakes in direct heat.

A cozy way to wrap up the holiday

If you want a leftover plan that feels warm and easy, Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Next Day is the move. You layer what you have, add enough gravy to keep it cozy, and bake until it is bubbly with a crisp top. If you want to compare approaches, I have pulled ideas from recipes like Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole Recipe – The Pioneer Woman and this smart freezer friendly take on Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole (freezable!), and the best part is you can still make it your own. Give it a try once and I swear it makes the day after Thanksgiving feel like a treat instead of a cleanup chore. Let me know what you layered in yours, because I am always curious how other families do leftovers.