A creamy and comforting pasta bake loaded with vegetables that uses up leftover turkey. This Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake is a family favourite way to use up Christmas or Thanksgiving leftovers and easy to adapt too. Don't let any of those leftovers go to waste!
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Nothing goes to waste here at Christmas time and a pasta bake is the perfect way to use leftovers, as pretty much everything goes into it. This Christmas pasta bake has turkey, cheese and vegetables packed into it.
Ready in around 30 minutes, this pasta bake with leftover turkey can be adapted with whatever you have that needs using up and it's a totally fool-proof recipe, as you just throw everything together. This is a day after Christmas favourite in our house.
Looking for more ways to use leftovers? Why not try our easy Leftover Gammon Pasta, quick Turkey Grilled Cheese, comforting Leftover Turkey Soup, creamy Turkey Fricassee or our delicious Turkey Pie?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - Any pasta shape goes here. We recommend using a pasta shape, rather than spaghetti.
- Turkey - It's a must in a turkey pasta bake. You can use leftovers from our Slow Cooker Turkey Crown, Air Fryer Turkey or Roast Turkey Breast.
- Butter - This is what the vegetables are cooked it.
- Vegetables - Leeks, mushrooms and spinach.
- Creme fraiche - This is what gives the turkey pasta bake the creamy sauce. You could swap it for cream cheese if you prefer.
- Cheese - We used cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Any good melting cheese will work though and mozzarella cheese is a good addition.
- Mustard - A little Dijon adds a lovely flavour.
- Basil - Sprinkle some fresh basil on just before serving.
- Salt and pepper - Generously season.
Turkey Pasta Bake Variations
Meat - We used leftover turkey, but you could use leftovers from a roast chicken. If you have leftovers from our Slow Cooker Gammon recipe, then chop that up and add in here too. Some chopped leftover Air Fryer Pigs in Blankets are amazing in this too.
Vegetables - A pasta bake is always a good opportunity to add some extra vegetables. We added leeks, mushroom and spinach but you can add any of your leftovers vegetables like roasted sprouts, carrots and parsnips or some broccoli and peas.
Cheese - This leftover turkey pasta bake bake is SO cheesy. That's what Christmas is all about, right? We used a mixture of cheddar and Parmesan to give it a nice crispy top.
But this pasta bake with turkey is a great opportunity to use leftovers from the cheeseboard. You can add some chopped Brie, Stilton or a flavoured cheddar like onion and chive.
Extras - If you have some leftover cranberry sauce or chutney, you can add little dollops on top of the turkey pasta bake before it goes into the oven. You could also add some leftover stuffing.
How to Make a Turkey Pasta Bake
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
- Step 2: Heat the butter in a pan and add the mushrooms and leeks. Cook over a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until softened.
- Step 3: Add the spinach and continue to cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the turkey, half the cheddar, Parmesan, creme fraiche and mustard.
- Step 5: Mix well and continue cooking until the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Drain the pasta, reserving some of the water. Add the drained pasta and pasta water to the pan. Stir well to coat the pasta in the sauce.
- Step 7: Transfer it all to a baking dish.
- Step 8: Cover with the remaining cheddar and bake for 20 minutes.
Dannii's Top Tips
- You can make a vegetarian version of this by using leftovers of your favourite meat free roast.
- For some added freshness, add some slices of cherry tomatoes on top when adding the cheese.
- If you want to make this leftover turkey pasta bake really crispy, then you can put it under the grill/broiler for a couple of minutes before serving. You could also mix some breadcrumbs in with the cheese for extra crispiness.
- Reserve a little pasta water to add to the sauce to make it really silky and smooth.
- For some added spice, you can add some red chilli flakes.
More Pasta Bake Recipes
If you've tried this turkey pasta bake recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Turkey Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 280 g (10 oz) Pasta shapes
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Portobello mushrooms - diced
- 1 Leek - sliced
- 60 g (2 cups) Spinach
- 240 g (8.5 oz) Cooked turkey - diced
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Parmesan - grated
- 75 g (0.66 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated; for the filling
- 75 g (0.66 cups) Cheddar cheese - grated; for the topping
- 200 ml (0.75 cups) Crème fraîche
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 g (0.5 tablespoon) Fresh basil - finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Cook 280 g Pasta shapes according to the packet instructions.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Butter in a pan and add 2 Portobello mushrooms and 1 Leek. Cook over a low heat for 6-8 minutes, until softened.
- Add 60 g Spinach and continue to cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Add 240 g Cooked turkey, 75 g Cheddar cheese, 50 g Parmesan, 200 ml Crème fraîche 1 pinch Sea salt, 1 pinch Ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
- Mix well and continue cooking until the cheese has melted, about 2 minutes.
- Drain the pasta, reserving some of the water.
- Add the drained pasta and paste water to the pan. Mix well to coat the pasta in the sauce.
- Transfer it all to a baking dish.
- Cover with 75 g Cheddar cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- You can make a vegetarian version of this by using leftovers of your favourite meat free roast.
- For some added freshness, add some slices of cherry tomatoes on top when adding the cheese.
- If you want to make this leftover turkey pasta bake really crispy, then you can put it under the grill/broiler for a couple of minutes before serving. You could also mix some breadcrumbs in with the cheese for extra crispiness.
- Reserve a little pasta water to add to the sauce to make it really silky and smooth.
- For some added spice, you can add some red chilli flakes.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
TAYLER ROSS says
We had this pasts for dinner last night and it was delicious! We will definitely be making it again!
Toni says
This is an amazing way to use up leftovers from the holidays! Thanks for the recipe!
Stephanie says
This is such a delicious and comforting meal. I wish I had more leftover turkey to make another one! The flavors meld together so nicely - everyone enjoyed the dish.
Nikki says
I really love how easy all these flavors come together to make this incredible turkey pasta bake. I am adding this to my meal plan right now.