Description
This creamy and cheesy Turkey Casserole features tender fusilli pasta, flavorful turkey leftovers, and a rich sauce made with half and half, herbs, and mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting, family-friendly baked dish perfect for using up cooked turkey and enjoying a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 3 cups (9 ounces | 280 grams) dry fusilli pasta
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup (2 small) carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup (8.45 fluid ounces | 250 ml) half and half
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Main Protein and Cheese
- 2 ¼ cups (14 ounces | 400 grams) turkey leftovers or shredded turkey
- 2 cups (8 ounces | 225 grams) mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 395°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water, then drain and rinse pasta under cold water. Allow to drain fully.
- Sauté Vegetables and Herbs: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Cook diced carrots and onion until they become tender. Add minced garlic and dried oregano, thyme, and parsley. Stir well, then add the tomato paste and combine thoroughly.
- Create the Sauce: Pour the half and half along with the reserved pasta water into the skillet. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a warm sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Turkey: Add cooked pasta and shredded turkey to the skillet. Stir well to ensure all the pasta and turkey are evenly coated with the sauce. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the middle rack of the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and wait about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for easier portioning and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- This easy Turkey Casserole recipe is creamy, cheesy, and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
- Perfect for using up turkey leftovers from a previous meal.
- To make it quicker, you can use pre-cooked or rotisserie turkey.
- Fusilli pasta can be replaced with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
- For extra flavor, consider sprinkling some grated Parmesan on top before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
