Craving comfort food? This Turkey Stuffing Casserole combines a savory turkey and vegetable filling with a classic, herby stuffing topping, all baked into one delicious meal. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy holiday flavors any day of the year.

Easy Turkey Stuffing Recipes Casserole Style

Do you ever get a craving for those cozy, comforting flavors of a big holiday meal, but on a regular Tuesday night? I know I do. The thought of savory turkey and flavorful, herb filled stuffing is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But the idea of cooking a whole bird can feel like a lot of work.

What if I told you there’s a way to get all that goodness in one simple dish? This is one of those Turkey Stuffing Recipes that truly delivers. It’s a fantastic Turkey Stuffing Casserole that brings together a rich, saucy turkey filling and a traditional stuffing topping. It is the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out.

Jump To:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Honestly, there are so many reasons to adore this dish. First and foremost, it is pure comfort in a pan. The combination of seasoned ground turkey, tender vegetables, and a soft yet slightly crisp stuffing layer is just so satisfying. It feels like a hug in food form.

Another great thing is the simplicity. You are not juggling multiple pots and pans for hours. Everything comes together in a straightforward way, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something special without a huge amount of effort. It’s one of the most approachable Oven Stuffing Recipes around.

It is also incredibly versatile. This recipe is a fantastic starting point. You can easily add your own favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own. It is a forgiving dish, which is always a plus for home cooks of all skill levels.

And let’s talk about the make ahead potential. You can assemble the entire casserole ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat. This is a huge help for meal planning or if you’re preparing food for guests. It takes the stress out of dinner time.

Finally, it’s a crowd pleaser. Kids and adults alike seem to love this dish. It has familiar flavors that everyone enjoys, making it a reliable choice for family meals. It embodies the spirit of the Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes Best known for bringing people together, but in a much simpler format.

Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s gather up all our ingredients. The beauty of these kinds of stuffing recipes is that they use a lot of kitchen staples. Here is what you will need, broken down into two parts for clarity.

For the Turkey Filling

2 tablespoons EVOO
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds ground turkey, at room temperature and patted dry
About 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 small potato, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons flour
2 to 2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock
1/2 cup organic frozen peas

For the Stuffing

6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
3 to 4 ribs celery with leafy tops, chopped
2 small apples, such as Macintosh or Honeycrisp, chopped
1 large fresh bay leaf
1 onion, chopped
About 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (if not in poultry seasoning)
1 bag traditional seasoned stuffing mix, like Pepperidge Farm
About 3 cups turkey or chicken stock
Butter, for dotting casserole

Step By Step Instructions

Alright, let’s walk through this together. We’re going to build this amazing Turkey Stuffing Casserole from the ground up. I promise it is easier than it looks. We will start with the rich and savory base.

Step 1: Create The Turkey Filling

First, grab a large, deep skillet. Place it over medium high heat and add your olive oil. Once the oil shimmers a bit, drop in the butter and let it melt. This combination gives you a great flavor and prevents the butter from browning too quickly.

Now it is time for the turkey. Make sure it is at room temperature and patted dry. This helps it brown nicely instead of just steaming in the pan. Add the ground turkey to the skillet and use a spoon to crumble it as it cooks. You want it browned all over.

Once the turkey is cooked, it is time to season. Add the Worcestershire sauce, a good pinch of salt, and some freshly ground black pepper. Give it all a good stir to distribute those flavors. The Worcestershire adds a wonderful depth you will really appreciate.

Next, add your chopped vegetables to the skillet. The celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, and fresh thyme all go in. Stir them into the turkey mixture. You will want to partially cover the skillet and let the vegetables cook and soften. This usually takes about eight to ten minutes. You want them tender, not mushy.

With the vegetables softened, sprinkle the flour over the entire mixture. Stir it in and let it cook for about a minute. This is a key step. The flour will cook out its raw taste and help to thicken the sauce beautifully. Do not skip it.

Slowly pour in your turkey or chicken stock, stirring constantly as you add it. The mixture will begin to thicken into a lovely, gravy like consistency. Let it bubble gently for a minute or two. Finally, stir in the frozen peas. They just need to warm through, which happens very quickly.

Your filling is now complete. Transfer this beautiful, savory mixture into a casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Set it aside while we work on the topping, which is the heart of all good Turkey Stuffing Recipes.

Step 2: Prepare The Stuffing Topping

Let’s get that delicious stuffing ready. In another large skillet, or the same one after a quick wipe, melt your six tablespoons of butter over medium heat. As soon as it is melted and bubbly, add the chopped celery, apples, bay leaf, and onions.

The apples are a wonderful addition here. Their slight sweetness provides a lovely contrast to the savory notes of the dish. Sauté these ingredients until they become tender. This will take about twelve to fifteen minutes and your kitchen will start to smell amazing.

Now, sprinkle in the poultry seasoning. If your blend does not include salt and pepper, add some now. Stir everything together to coat the vegetables in those classic herbs. Cook for another minute to wake up the spices.

It is time to add the stuffing mix. You can use a store bought bag, which is a great time saver, or your own cubed stale bread. Pour it into the skillet with the vegetables. Now, gradually add the stock. You want to moisten the bread, not soak it. Add a little at a time until the stuffing is damp but not swimming in liquid.

Gently toss everything together until the stuffing mix is evenly moistened. Be sure to remove the bay leaf before you proceed to the next step. It has already infused its flavor into the mixture.

Step 3: Assemble And Bake

This is where it all comes together. Take your skillet of prepared stuffing and spoon it evenly over the turkey filling in the casserole dish. You can spread it out gently or leave it in rustic mounds. I personally like the mounds because they create nice crispy edges.

To get that perfectly golden, crisp top that all the best Oven Stuffing Recipes have, dot the top of the stuffing with a few small pieces of butter. This will melt as it bakes and help everything get beautifully browned and delicious.

At this point, you have two choices. You can bake it right away, or you can cool it down, cover it, and store it for a make ahead meal. It is a fantastic feature of this recipe.

If you are baking immediately, place it in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F. Bake for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the stuffing is crisp on top. If you are baking it later, first let it come to room temperature. Then bake at 375 degrees F for about forty to forty five minutes, until hot, bubbly, and browned.

How To Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is simple. First, make sure the casserole has cooled down completely to room temperature. This is important for food safety and prevents condensation from making the stuffing soggy.

You can store the leftovers directly in the casserole dish. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. It will keep well in the refrigerator for about three to four days. To reheat, you can place individual portions in the microwave or heat the entire dish in the oven until warmed through.

This Turkey Stuffing Casserole also freezes quite well. For best results, transfer it to a freezer safe container. You can also wrap the casserole dish tightly in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake in the oven.

Tips

Want to customize this recipe a bit? Here are a few ideas to get you started. These tips can help you adapt many different stuffing recipes to your own taste.

Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables to the turkey filling. Sliced mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or even some corn would be delicious additions. Just sauté them along with the other veggies.
Bread Choices: If you are not using a premade stuffing mix, feel free to use different types of bread. A hearty sourdough, cornbread, or a rustic whole wheat bread would all work wonderfully. Just make sure the bread is stale or toasted so it absorbs the liquid properly.
Add Some Cheese: For an extra rich and savory dish, try sprinkling some shredded cheese over the top before baking. Cheddar, Gruyere, or a simple Parmesan would all be fantastic choices.
Herb Variations: While fresh thyme is lovely, you can also use other herbs like rosemary or sage. A combination of all three gives it that classic holiday flavor profile. This is one of the secrets behind the Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes Best loved by all.

Conclusion

There you have it. A truly wonderful dish that brings so much comfort and flavor to the dinner table. This is one of those Turkey Stuffing Recipes that is sure to become a family favorite. It has all the elements of a special meal, yet it is simple enough for any day of the week.

Whether you’re looking for a new weeknight staple, a dish to share with friends, or just a taste of the holidays, this Turkey Stuffing Casserole is a great choice. I hope you enjoy making it and eating it as much as I do. Happy cooking!

FAQ

Can I Prepare This Dish Ahead Of Time?

Yes, absolutely. This is one of the best features of this recipe. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before putting it in the oven, and adjust the baking time as noted in the instructions.

What Can I Serve With This Casserole?

This dish is quite hearty on its own, so simple sides work best. A side of cranberry sauce is a classic pairing that always works. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans would also be excellent choices to round out the meal.

Can I Use Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey?

Yes, you can. This is a wonderful way to use up holiday leftovers. Simply skip the step of browning the ground turkey. Sauté the vegetables as directed, make the sauce, and then stir in about three to four cups of chopped or shredded cooked turkey along with the peas at the end. It’s a great variation on classic Turkey Stuffing Recipes.

How Do I Know When The Casserole Is Fully Cooked?

You will have a couple of clear visual cues. The turkey filling around the edges of the dish should be visibly bubbling. The stuffing on top should be a beautiful golden brown color and feel crisp to the touch. If you want to be extra sure, you can use an instant read thermometer to check that the center of the casserole has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.