Pretty soon you’ll be wondering what to do with all that leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey. Turkey sandwiches are always great, but they get so boring after a couple of days. Instead use some of that leftover turkey to make a delicious meal like this Southwestern Turkey Casserole. Last week Mom and I prepared our Citrus and Herb Turkey, and then used some of the leftovers for this casserole. It was delicious, and I think I might have enjoyed the casserole more than the traditional turkey dinner we ate.
This casserole can be prepared in one large 13 inch x 19 inch baking dish. We opted to make 2 smaller casseroles. One to keep and one to send over to my brother’s house. The recipe can easily be halved – the beauty of a casserole. Since this dish has crushed tortilla chips, I recommend serving the same day it is prepared so the chips keep their crunch. I love that added texture.
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Southwestern Turkey Casserole
Ingredients:
2 large onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack or cheese blend
1 package (12-1/2 ounces) tortilla chips, crushed
Instructions:
Prepare greased 13 inch x 9 inch baking dish. In a medium size pot, saute onions and green pepper in butter until tender. Stir in the turkey, soup, sour cream and spinach. Spoon half of the turkey mixture into the baking dish. Then a layer of cheese and tortilla chips. Repeat layers.
Bake casserole, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Related Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Beef Enchiladas
Enjoy! What’s your favorite turkey leftovers recipe?
Southwestern Turkey Casserole
Yield 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups cubed cooked turkey
- 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack or cheese blend
- 1 package (12-1/2 ounces) tortilla chips, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare greased 13 inch x 9 inch baking dish. In a medium size pot, saute onions and green pepper in butter until tender. Stir in the turkey, soup, sour cream and spinach. Spoon half of the turkey mixture into the baking dish. Then a layer of cheese and tortilla chips. Repeat layers.
- Bake casserole, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
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Rosie says
November 12, 2013 at 11:42 AMMaybe I’ve been under the cabbage patch, but this is the first time I’ve seen turkey and tortilla chips – and it sounds wonderful! This is a great way to use some of the leftover turkey, and I would like to try this – I’m a huge fan of casseroles, to me, their better than anything!
David says
November 12, 2013 at 11:44 AMI have always liked casseroles because they are a great way to clear out the pantry. You can add vegetables, rice, and a variety of oddball ingredients into a casserole dish and it becomes a casserole and usually tastes pretty good.
cheryl c. says
November 12, 2013 at 12:14 PMThis sounds absolutely delicious AND easy, too! I bet you could add rice to it also.
Angela says
November 12, 2013 at 12:26 PMThanks! You could totally add rice to this. Yummy!
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
November 12, 2013 at 12:36 PMmmmm cheesy goodness!!!
Sherri Lewis says
November 12, 2013 at 1:49 PMthat looks delicious! Pinned and ready to use when we have leftover turkey!
Ellen Christian says
November 12, 2013 at 1:56 PMThat sounds amazing. I need to try that!
Kelsey Apley says
November 12, 2013 at 3:14 PMWow I love this!! I think it sounds absolutely delicious!! I am going to have to make this!
Wendy T says
November 12, 2013 at 4:53 PMLooks delicious! I have a turkey breast in the freezer that no doubt will be looking for a recipe like this after our first dinner. Thank you!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
November 12, 2013 at 4:57 PMYou know what? I’m not sure I’ve had leftovers from Thanksgiving last long enough so that I turned them into something else. They get gobbled up FAST!
Angela says
November 12, 2013 at 5:20 PMYou need to cook a bigger turkey this year, Liz, so you can make this. 🙂
Tammilee Tillison says
November 12, 2013 at 5:02 PMYum! I love the idea of using leftover turkey in this casserole.
Melissa Au says
November 12, 2013 at 6:27 PMWow, this sounds delicious! THanks for sharing.
judy gardner says
November 12, 2013 at 6:39 PMthis sounds really good (and so does your turkey recipe)! we always have leftover turkey.
Dawn Lopez says
November 12, 2013 at 7:21 PMOh ladies, you are killing me! This looks so good I might make it FOR Thanksgiving, LOL! I love the idea of a baked tortilla topping, brilliant!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
November 12, 2013 at 7:48 PMIt sounds delish! Turkey is always tasty, even as leftovers.
Theresa says
November 12, 2013 at 8:45 PMThis looks so yummy! Pity we never have much leftover turkey around here. lol
Amanda says
November 12, 2013 at 9:32 PMI love making casseroles with leftovers! They are perfect to make and put in the freezer for a quick meal!
Jennifer says
November 12, 2013 at 9:40 PMYummy yum yummy. I am sitting here stuffed, and yet… I would eat this now. lol
Kathleen says
November 12, 2013 at 9:55 PMThis sounds very yummy! As a Canadian, my turkey leftovers were gone a month ago but I could easily do this with chicken!
Anne says
November 12, 2013 at 10:06 PMSounds good, I am always looking for new things to do with left over turkey
Nancy Lustri (StyleDecor) says
November 12, 2013 at 11:28 PMLove baking casserole dishes and this one looks especially tasty! Thanks for sharing!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk says
November 12, 2013 at 11:36 PMWhat a great recipe for after Thanksgiving! 🙂
cassie says
November 13, 2013 at 12:17 AMLooks delicious, wish I had some right now!!!
cassie says
November 13, 2013 at 12:19 AMLooks delicious, wish I had some right now!!! Definitely a comfort food with the butter and cheese, but I like how it includes spinach to make you think it is a little healthy! =)
Mistee Dawn says
November 13, 2013 at 1:37 AMThat looks so good. Can’t wait to try this out.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
November 13, 2013 at 5:49 AMA great way to use those leftovers. We usually just have sandwiches.
Janet W. says
November 13, 2013 at 7:21 AMI love making casseroles. My favorite is chicken rice casserole. I’d love to try and make this and see how it turns out!
CinnyBBS says
November 13, 2013 at 8:27 AMThat looks delish! I wish I was over for dinner
Ashley S says
November 13, 2013 at 8:52 AMMy family would love this! Looks delicious
Liza @ Views From the 'Ville says
November 13, 2013 at 9:41 AMCasseroles are the perfect fall dish and this one sounds delicious. Your photos look so good, too!
Debi says
November 13, 2013 at 9:55 AMYou are right I am always wondering what to do with the left over turkey, and I get tired of turkey and rice soup. This looks yummy.
Ashley says
November 13, 2013 at 10:26 AMYum, I think my family would love this!!
Susan says
November 13, 2013 at 10:45 AMThis looks amazing, so yummy! I will have to make this for my family!
karen a. says
November 13, 2013 at 1:01 PMThis looks like a very yummy casserole. We usually have a lot of guests for thanksgiving dinner. I do hope we have left over turkey so I can try this recipe. If not, there are so many good turkey recipes out there we just might need to cook and extra turkey. Enjoy your thanksgiving holiday.
Janel says
November 14, 2013 at 10:38 AMThis recipe looks awesome!! Great idea for using up the leftovers!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
November 14, 2013 at 9:29 PMThis sounds interesting! We never get the turkey leftovers, IF there are any. My MIL gets the meat leftovers for some reason.
Kayleen Considine says
November 17, 2013 at 2:34 PMGreat recipe!! It’s always good to find recipes to find for leftover turkey. Turkey sandwiches are great, but they do get tiring after a while.
martha says
November 17, 2013 at 9:25 PMperfect timing that i found this!! we love thanksgiving leftovers!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
November 18, 2013 at 9:49 PMOh my yum, that looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
judy gardner says
November 21, 2013 at 11:30 AMsince we are having turkey for thanksgiving, if we have any left overs i might make this – it sounds good. its nice to see something southwestern without the hot peppers in it – i dont care for those, so i think i would like this!
Monica Mathis says
November 26, 2013 at 8:58 AMSo excited about making this dish! Thanks
Diana C says
November 30, 2013 at 2:43 PMI love finding new recipes for leftover turkey. I didn’t make a big turkey this year, so don’t have quite 6 cups, but will have to see about this for after Christmas.
Diana C
Jessica Fortner says
December 2, 2013 at 3:46 AMOooh, this is perfect for all that leftover turkey and nothing more satisfying than a casserole. Perfect marriage.
christina bentz says
December 3, 2013 at 7:18 PMIs that green bell pepper? I just want to make sure I am getting the right green peppers.
Angela says
December 3, 2013 at 8:01 PMYes, it’s a green bell pepper. Can’t wait to hear how you like this recipe. 🙂
Robin says
April 22, 2017 at 8:11 PMI was looking for a recipe for leftover turkey breast from Easter and found this recipe.I made this tonight and it was delicious. I only made half the recipe, added a can of drained black beans and added some fajita seasoning for more spice. I also mixed the cheese and chips together. It cooked up beautifully and did not fall apart when serving. My son ate three portions. I am giving it 5 stars and adding it to my keeper recipes. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.