After a big holiday meal, there’s always that moment. You open the fridge and see containers of delicious memories. The turkey, the gravy, and of course, the stuffing. What if I told you there’s a wonderful way to bring them all back for an encore performance? Not just warmed up, but reborn into something cozy and amazing.
This recipe is all about that. It’s one of my absolute favorite stuffing recipes because it’s less about starting from scratch and more about creative comfort. We are taking all those fantastic flavors and layering them into a simple, hearty casserole that tastes like a second holiday. It’s the best way to tackle leftovers.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is a champion of no waste cooking. It feels so good to use up every last bit of that holiday feast you worked so hard on. It’s practical, budget friendly, and honestly, just plain smart. You get a whole new meal without a big trip to the grocery store.
It is also unbelievably easy to put together. Seriously. If you can layer things in a dish, you can make this. There are no complicated steps or fancy techniques. It is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen hero with minimal effort. Perfect for a busy weeknight.
The flavors are just incredible. Think about it. You have savory turkey, rich gravy, tart cranberry, and wholesome green beans all under a golden blanket of stuffing. Each bite is a little different, giving you that full holiday plate experience in a single spoonful. It’s pure comfort food.
I also love how flexible it is. This is one of those leftover stuffing recipes that is more of a guide than a strict rulebook. Don’t have green beans? Use corn. Have some leftover mashed potatoes? You can use those too. It’s all about using what you have.
And let’s talk about the visual. When this casserole comes out of the oven, it’s a sight to behold. The top is beautifully golden brown and a little crispy. You can see the colorful layers peeking out from the sides of the dish. It looks just as good as it tastes.
Finally, it’s a huge time saver. Assembling this dish takes just a few minutes, especially since everything is already cooked. Then you just pop it in the oven. It gives you a fantastic, home cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen all over again.
Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. We are using ingredients that you likely already have waiting in your fridge. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need.
- 3 cups cooked turkey, roughly chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup gravy
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 4 cups cooked stuffing
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
A little note on the components. For the turkey, both light and dark meat work beautifully here. Just make sure it’s chopped into pieces that are easy to eat. The gravy is key for moisture, so don’t be shy with it. Homemade is great, but a good quality jarred gravy works just fine in a pinch.
When it comes to the cranberry sauce, either jellied or whole berry will do. I personally love the little pops of fruit from whole berry sauce, but the smooth sweetness of jellied sauce is also wonderful. It provides a lovely tart contrast to the savory elements.
For the stuffing, any kind of leftover stuffing or dressing will work. This is the heart of so many stuffing recipes. If you don’t have any leftovers, you can quickly make a box of stovetop stuffing recipes. It’s a fast and easy substitute that tastes great.
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to turn those leftovers into something spectacular? Let’s walk through the process together. It’s as simple as layering and baking.
Step 1: Prepare Your Casserole Dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, grab a casserole dish. A 9×13 inch dish is usually a good size. Give it a quick spray with some nonstick cooking spray. This little step makes serving and cleanup so much easier later on.
Step 2: Layer The Turkey And Gravy
Now for the foundation of our casserole. Spread your chopped turkey evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle it with a little salt and pepper to taste. Next, pour the gravy all over the turkey. Use a spatula to gently spread it out, ensuring all the turkey is nicely coated. This keeps everything moist and flavorful as it bakes.
Step 3: Add The Cranberry And Green Beans
Time for some color and sweetness. Dollop the cranberry sauce over the gravy and turkey layer. You don’t need to spread it perfectly. Having little pockets of cranberry sauce is a delicious surprise in each bite. Then, add your cooked green beans in an even layer. This adds a nice bit of texture and a touch of green.
Step 4: Top With Stuffing
Here comes the best part. Take your leftover stuffing and gently spread it over the other ingredients. This will become our golden, delicious crust. Be gentle so you don’t completely mix all the layers together. It’s the star of our leftover stuffing recipes for a reason.
Step 5: Dot With Butter And Cover
To get that perfectly browned and crispy top, we need a little butter. Cut your two tablespoons of butter into small pieces and dot them over the surface of the stuffing. This will melt as it bakes, adding richness and helping it brown. Finally, cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection
Place your covered casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. This initial baking time is to heat everything through and get it all steamy. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Place the uncovered dish back in the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s steaming hot and the stuffing on top is a beautiful golden brown.
How To Store Leftovers
So, you have leftovers of your leftovers? No problem at all! Storing this casserole is simple and it reheats wonderfully for another easy meal.
First, let the casserole cool down to room temperature. It’s not safe to put a piping hot dish directly into the refrigerator. Once it’s cool, cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or transfer it to an airtight container.
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can either microwave individual portions or place the entire casserole dish back in the oven at 350 degrees until it’s heated through. Covering it with foil while reheating in the oven can help keep it moist.
This dish also freezes quite well. For the best results, wrap the cooled casserole securely in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed until hot and bubbly.
Tips
Want to customize your casserole or make it even better? Here are a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your stuffing recipes.
If you don’t have leftover stuffing, don’t worry. A box of your favorite stuffing mix, like Stove Top, works perfectly. Just prepare it according to the package directions before adding it as the top layer. Many great stovetop stuffing recipes are quick and easy.
Feel free to swap out the vegetables. Leftover corn, peas, carrots, or even brussels sprouts would be delicious in this casserole. It’s all about using what you have on hand.
For a cheesy twist, sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the stuffing before baking. The cheese will get melted and bubbly, adding another layer of savory goodness.
If your gravy is very thick, you might want to thin it out with a little bit of chicken or turkey broth. This will help ensure the casserole stays nice and moist as it bakes.
This is a great make ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole a day in advance, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add about 10 minutes to the initial covered baking time to make sure it gets hot all the way through.
Remember that all turkey dressing recipes are a little different. Some are more moist than others. If your stuffing seems a bit dry, you can drizzle a little extra broth over it before baking to help it steam up nicely.
Conclusion
There you have it. A simple, delicious, and satisfying way to breathe new life into your holiday leftovers. This casserole is more than just a recipe. It’s a method for reducing food waste, saving time, and enjoying the comforting flavors you love all over again. It proves that leftovers can be just as exciting as the main event.
Whether you’re looking for new leftover stuffing recipes or just a cozy meal for a chilly evening, this dish is a winner. It’s a warm hug in a casserole dish, bringing together all the best elements of a festive meal in a brand new way. I hope you enjoy these stuffing recipes as much as my family does!
FAQ
Can I Use Different Meat?
Absolutely. This recipe is fantastic with leftover roasted chicken or even holiday ham. The layering concept works well with many types of cooked meat, so feel free to experiment with what you have.
What If I Don’t Have Any Gravy?
If you’re out of gravy, a can of condensed cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup is a great substitute. Just thin it out with a little milk or broth until it reaches a gravy like consistency before pouring it over the turkey.
How Do I Know When The Casserole Is Done?
The best way to tell is by the visual cues. The casserole should be bubbling around the edges and steaming hot when you pull it from the oven. The stuffing on top should be a lovely golden brown color. For complete certainty, you can use a food thermometer to ensure the center has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I Prepare This Casserole Ahead Of Time?
Yes, this is an excellent make ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake it. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold dish.
Is This Similar To Other Turkey Dressing Recipes?
While it uses dressing as a key ingredient, this recipe is more of a complete meal in one dish. Many traditional turkey dressing recipes are side dishes. This recipe takes that wonderful side dish and makes it the star topping for a hearty, layered casserole. It’s a creative way to use the stuffing itself.
Leftover Stuffing Casserole
Transform holiday leftovers into a cozy and hearty casserole. This recipe layers savory turkey, rich gravy, tart cranberry, and green beans under a golden stuffing crust, offering a delicious second holiday meal with minimal effort.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread chopped turkey evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour gravy over the turkey, spreading gently.
- Dollop cranberry sauce over the gravy and turkey layer. Add cooked green beans in an even layer.
- Gently spread leftover stuffing over the other ingredients.
- Cut two tablespoons of butter into small pieces and dot them over the surface of the stuffing. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until steaming hot and the stuffing on top is golden brown.
Notes
Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months wrapped in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight before reheating.
If you don’t have leftover stuffing, a box of your favorite stuffing mix (like Stove Top) prepared according to package directions works perfectly as a substitute.
Feel free to customize with other leftover vegetables like corn, peas, carrots, or brussels sprouts.
For a rich, cheesy twist, sprinkle a cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the stuffing before baking.
If your gravy is very thick, thin it with a little chicken or turkey broth to ensure the casserole remains moist.
This dish is excellent for making ahead. Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time when baking from cold.
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