If you are swimming in turkey left overs, you can either freeze your leftover turkey or you can turn it into this delicious turkey casserole! It is full of amazing flavors that go perfectly with turkey, a rich creamy sauce, squash, and cheese. You do not want to miss this recipe.
How to Make Turkey Casserole
How to Cut Butternut Squash
We cook this squash cut up in cubes. To prepare the squash, peel it. Then slice off just enough of the top and bottom to clear the stem. Cut the squash in half. Then scoop out the pulp and seeds. Finally, dice the squash.
Pasta Cooking Tips
While cooking pasta seems like just about the easiest thing in the world, I always like to mention a few things to make sure it turns out perfectly.
Use enough water. In this recipe we are using half a pound of pasta. So 2 to 4 quarts of water will be enough.Bring the water to a full boil. It shouldn’t be small bubbles, there should be big roaring bubbles.Salt the water. Before you add the pasta, add about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the water.Set a timer. Note the time listed on the box and set a timer. This is the best way not to over cook your pasta.
Why Reserve Pasta Water for Turkey Casserole
Saving starchy pasta water is one of my favorite cooking tricks. That starchy and salty water deepens the flavor of the sauce. It’s perfect for making a sauce for a turkey noodle casserole.
Making Ahead
This turkey noodle casserole is great to make ahead of time. Make just to the point where you are going to put it in the oven. Cover with foil and put it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready take the casserole out of the refrigerator, bake for 20 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.
Freezing Turkey Casserole
If you are making this with turkey you haven’t frozen yet, this is a great casserole to freeze. I suggest making this casserole in a disposable casserole dish. That way you can take it from freezer to oven without the dish breaking. Make the recipe to the point that you are going to put it in the oven. Cover with foil and then wrap three times with plastic wrap. It can be stored in your freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to bake it, take off the plastic wrap and bake covered for 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes.
Other Great Noodle Casseroles
Chicken Noodle CasseroleTuna Noodle CasseroleChicken Stuffed Shells
If you make this leftover turkey casserole, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
