Turkey Casserole Bake (Printable)
Tender turkey combined with vegetables and creamy sauce, baked topped with golden cheddar cheese.
# Ingredient List:
→ Protein
01 - 3 cups cooked turkey, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup frozen peas
03 - 1 cup carrots, diced
04 - 1 cup celery, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Sauce
06 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
07 - 1 cup milk
08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
→ Topping
13 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the broth and milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
04 - Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir in the turkey and peas. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
06 - In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter.
07 - Sprinkle the casserole with cheddar cheese, then top with the breadcrumb mixture.
08 - Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
09 - Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- It turns humble ingredients into something that feels like a warm hug on a plate
- The crispy cheesy topping creates this incredible contrast with the creamy filling underneath
- Everything comes together in one dish, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy eating
02 -
- I learned the hard way that letting the sauce simmer too long makes it too thick, so stick to the timing
- The casserole needs those 5 minutes of resting time or the sauce will be too runny when you cut into it
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts so much better into the topping
- Let the casserole rest on the counter for 10 minutes before baking if you've assembled it cold