Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole Recipe
This Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for using up leftover turkey. Featuring tender egg noodles, a creamy vegetable sauce with celery, carrots, and onions, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is baked to golden perfection and makes a satisfying family meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12–16 oz egg noodles, cooked for two minutes less than package directions
Vegetables & Seasoning
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Sauce
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Protein
- 2 cups turkey (pre-cooked, chopped) (or cooked chicken)
Garnish
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to package directions but drain them 2 minutes early to keep them slightly firm. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, chopped celery, and carrots. Cook for 7-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Season and Add Flour: Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens and becomes bubbly.
- Make it Creamy: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the sour cream and 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted.
- Combine Ingredients: In the skillet or a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, chopped turkey, and the creamy vegetable sauce, mixing thoroughly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until it’s hot throughout, and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before garnishing with parsley and serving.
Notes
- Cooking the noodles slightly underripe helps prevent a mushy casserole.
- Using pre-cooked turkey or chicken works well; leftover meat is perfect for this recipe.
- Feel free to substitute vegetables as desired, like adding mushrooms or peas.
- Sour cream adds creaminess but can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Make sure to cook the flour with the vegetables well to avoid a raw taste in the sauce.
- Allow the casserole to rest after baking to help it set for easier serving.
Keywords: Cheesy Turkey Noodle Casserole, Turkey Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Leftover Turkey Recipe
