If you are like me, you are in the thick of holiday season and also thinking about the fact that your family can survive on cranberry sauce and no bake cookies alone. Dinner still has to happen. With that, I give you this delicious and amazing cheesy casserole that can be made with your Thanksgiving left overs. If you are brining a whole turkey this year or just making my turkey breast recipe, this will be the perfect recipe to use those left overs in. This recipe is a quicker version of my Chicken Noodle Casserole and I think you will love it.
HOW TO MAKE TURKEY NOODLE CASSEROLE
This easy dinner idea comes together in 30 minutes with fully cooked left over turkey.
TIPS AND TRICKS
This recipe calls for 8 ounces egg noodles. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, that is approximately 6 cups.Use chicken stock base (found in the grocery store in powder form by the liquid stock) to make the liquid that the noodles cook in. It’s not as high quality as homemade chicken stock or store bought base, but it will save quite a bit of money on steps like this. Cooking the noodles in chicken stock adds such a nice flavor to this recipe, but you could also make turkey stock from your left over Thanksgiving turkey.If you skip cooking the noodles in chicken or turkey stock, you will likely need a bit more salt and pepper.When you make the roux (butter and flour), make sure to go really slowly adding the liquid. That is what makes this casserole so creamy, so you it’s an important step.Buy brick cheese and shred it. You guys know by now my feelings on this. It melts better and gives better texture. I really think it’s worth the time.If sage and thyme aren’t your thing or you don’t have them on hand, you could easily switch them out for basil and oregano.
HOW TO MAKE AHEAD
This is a great casserole to make the night before. Get all the way to the step of baking, and then wrap tightly and put in the refrigerator. Add 5 minutes to your baking time. You could also freeze this by wrapping it three times and putting in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. Add 15 minutes to your baking time if you take it right from the freezer. Note: If you want to freeze this and put it right from the freezer to the hot preheated one, use a disposable casserole dish for freezing and baking. This way you won’t crack your ceramic one.
OTHER GREAT RECIPES
If you are looking for another recipe to use your left over turkey, try my Turkey Dumpling Soup. It’s a winner. You will also love my Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Who isn’t in the market for fast dinners? Finally, my Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a great weeknight dinner everyone loves. If you make this Turkey Noodle Casserole or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear what you think!
