This Leftover Turkey and Gravy Pasta Bake turns your Thanksgiving leftovers into a cozy meal. It's made with turkey, gravy, veggies, cheese, and crispy fried onions for an easy, post-holiday dinner.
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This leftover turkey pasta bake was one of those dishes that came together as I went along. And honestly, those are always the best! Last year, after roasting a turkey for us, I tossed the leftovers into some penne pasta along with leftover gravy, garlic, onion, a handful of baby spinach, and plenty of shredded mozzarella cheese. The result was a cozy and delicious pasta bake.
It turned out so flavorful and comforting that I couldn't wait to make it again this year! This time around, I took it up a notch and added crispy fried onions on top for extra flavor and crunch. It’s the perfect weekend-after-Thanksgiving meal when you're looking for something easy, satisfying, and warming.
In this version of that post-holiday past bake, I used spinach. But feel free to swap in whatever vegetables you have leftover from your Thanksgiving spread - like peas, broccoli, mushrooms, or even roasted Brussels sprouts. And while I sprinkled mozzarella on top, you can easily switch it up with Gruyère, Swiss, or white cheddar for a slightly different flavor.
Leftover Turkey and Gravy Pasta Bake with Baby Spinach
After a big holiday celebration like Thanksgiving, I’m all about simple comfort food. Especially if it means using up leftovers in the fridge! This pasta bake definitely checks all of those boxes. It’s warm, cheesy, and turns all of those leftover ingredients into something fresh and different than reheated turkey and gravy.
Let's get started! Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a baking dish. Then, we have to cook the pasta (I used whole wheat penne). Cook the pasta until it's al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Next, we're going to melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook the onion about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the garlic and cook for a minute more.
Add in the turkey, gravy, and seasonings. If the gravy is too thick, you can add a little milk, water, or even white wine to it to thin it out. Stir in the baby spinach and let it wilt for about a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the cooked pasta. Then, transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top and finish with the crispy fried onions.
Bake the pasta mixture for about 25 minutes. The mixture should be bubbly and the cheese should be melted and slightly browned on top. Allow the pasta bake to rest a few minutes before serving.
Leftover Turkey and Gravy Pasta Bake with Baby Spinach
Equipment
- 1 medium pot
- 1 large skillet
- 1 baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 oz. penne pasta
- 2 tbsp. salted butter
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 cups cooked turkey chopped
- 1 1/2 cups leftover turkey gravy
- 1 cup baby spinach roughly chopped or torn
- 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a medium baking dish.
- Cook pasta according to package, or until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in garlic and cook about 1 minute more.
- Add turkey, gravy, and seasonings. If gravy consistency is too thick, gradually add milk, water, or white wine to thin it out. Stir in spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to incorporate.
- Transfer mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and finish with crispy fried onions.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly, cheese is melted, and lightly browned on top.
- Rest 3-5 minutes before serving.
This turkey and gravy pasta bake is hearty enough on its own, but it’s even better with dinner rolls or a slice of garlic bread on the side. Then, you can soak up every last bit of that savory gravy goodness on your plate! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Did you make this Leftover Turkey and Gravy Pasta Bake with Baby Spinach recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
