Envision a cozy kitchen filled with the savory aroma of this creamy, cheesy turkey casserole bubbling away in your oven. This reimagined dish is your secret to breathing new life into Thanksgiving leftovers. With a comforting blend of Swiss cheese, tender turkey, broccoli, and a crunchy cracker topping, you’ll soon forget you’re working with yesterday’s feast. Prepare to create a memorable meal that proves leftovers can become the star of the table, capturing both hearts and taste buds with every forkful.
When faced with too much leftover turkey, this broccoli-infused bake is a flavorful answer. It’s creamy, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare. Swiss cheese brings a delightful tang that balances the richness of the other ingredients, and the buttered cracker topping adds a perfect crispy finish. Serve this hearty casserole for a comforting dinner that revitalizes yesterday’s holiday dinner into something that tastes entirely new and indulgent.
Ingredients For leftover turkey broccoli bake
- 1 c long grain rice, uncooked (about 180 g)
- 3 c leftover turkey, chopped (about 450 g)
- 2 c broccoli, chopped and cooked (about 200 g) or 2 x 10 oz (2 x 280 g) frozen broccoli
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 10 oz (about 280 g)
- 1 1/2 c whole milk (about 360 ml)
- 1/2 c turkey broth (about 120 ml)
- 1/2 c mayonnaise (about 115 g)
- 2 stalks celery, chopped (about 2 medium stalks)
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 75 g)
- 8 oz Swiss cheese, shredded (about 230 g), divided (reserve 4 oz/115 g)
TOPPING:
- Handful of Ritz crackers, crushed (about 30 g)
- 4 oz Swiss cheese, saved from above (about 115 g)
How To Make leftover turkey broccoli bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (about 177°C). Grease a 9 x 13 inches (about 23 x 33 centimeters) baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the uncooked rice, chopped turkey, broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, milk, turkey broth, mayonnaise, celery, and onion. Stir to mix everything well.
- Add half of the Swiss cheese (4 oz/115 g) into the mixture and stir again until evenly incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Uncover and sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers along with the remaining 4 oz (115 g) of Swiss cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the topping is golden.
As you remove this comforting casserole from the oven, notice how its bubbly, fragrant surface beckons you closer. With each warm, cheesy bite, savor the transformation of humble leftovers into a wholly satisfying meal—one that tastes lovingly homemade rather than hastily assembled. This dish proves that creativity in the kitchen can inspire new traditions, reviving yesterday’s feast into something you’ll eagerly anticipate enjoying again. Enjoy the transformation and dig in!
