If you’ve ever stared at a mound of leftover turkey wondering how to jazz it up, I have the perfect cozy dish for you. This Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe is hands down one of my favorite ways to transform those scraps into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. Trust me, it’s easy, delicious, and your whole family will go crazy for it. Plus, it gives you just the right mix of creamy, crunchy, and savory that hits all the right notes after a big holiday.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Easy Prep: It takes about 10 minutes to throw together, which means less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing.
Comfort Food Classic: Creamy, crunchy, and full of cozy flavors that are perfect for chilly nights or weeknight dinners.
Smart Use of Leftovers: Makes leftover turkey feel brand new, preventing waste and stretching your holiday budget.
Family Favorite: My kids beg for this, and everyone asks for seconds—always a good sign!

A white plate with blue floral patterns holds a creamy layered dish. The bottom layer looks soft and white, with chunks of white meat mixed with small green bits. The middle layer is creamy, covering the meat and vegetables. The top layer is golden brown broken cracker pieces, crunchy and uneven, scattered over the creamy base with small green herb leaves for garnish. To the side, a silver fork rests on the plate. In the background, there are pieces of crusty white bread on a wooden cutting board and a wooden bowl filled with leafy green lettuce, all placed on a white marbled surface, with a blue and white checkered cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, leftover turkey recipes, easy comfort food, holiday leftovers casserole, cheesy turkey rice bake

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe is how simple, pantry-friendly, and versatile the ingredients are. Each one adds a layer of flavor or texture that brings everything together, making the casserole just right. Here’s what you’ll want to grab before you start:

Flat lay of cooked diced turkey pieces, cooked white rice grains in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of creamy condensed mushroom soup, a small white bowl filled with clear chicken broth, a small white bowl with smooth, pale mayonnaise, a small white bowl holding thick, white sour cream, a small pile of finely diced small onion, a small pile of finely diced celery stalks, a heap of slivered almonds, a small white bowl containing coarse crushed Ritz cracker crumbs, and a small white bowl with melted golden butter, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions in simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, leftover turkey recipes, easy comfort food, holiday leftovers casserole, cheesy turkey rice bake

Cooked turkey: Using leftover roasted turkey gives the dish amazing flavor and keeps things economical.
Cooked rice: White, brown, or even jasmine rice works – just make sure it’s cooked but not mushy.
Condensed soup: Cream of mushroom is classic here, but cream of chicken or celery are great swaps if you prefer.
Chicken broth: Adds moisture and richness, so don’t skip it even if the soup feels thick.
Mayonnaise: Brings creaminess and a slight tang—let it come to room temperature first for easy mixing.
Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and smooth texture that balances the richness.
Onion: Finely diced so it bakes right into the casserole without being overpowering.
Celery: Gives a fresh crunch and mild earthiness to the mix.
Slivered almonds: Toasted adds an unexpected nutty crunch that elevates this classic dish.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Simple seasoning to highlight the flavors.
Ritz crackers: Crushed for a buttery, crispy topping that your whole family will adore.
Butter: Melted and mixed with the cracker crumbs to help them turn golden and delicious.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on what I have on hand or the season. You’ll find that tweaking a couple of ingredients here and there keeps this casserole exciting every time you make it.

Add veggies: I sometimes toss in mushrooms or frozen peas for an extra veggie boost, and my family hardly notices!
Swap nuts: If almonds aren’t your thing, chopped pecans or walnuts work just as well for that crunchy top.
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free sour cream and mayonnaise alternatives to keep it friendly for sensitive diets.
Cheesy twist: I’ve sprinkled shredded cheddar or parmesan into the mix before baking for an extra layer of flavor.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray—this helps the casserole slide out easily later and prevents sticking. I like to use a glass dish because I can see the bubbling goodness as it bakes, but a metal pan works perfectly too.

Step 2: Mix the Main Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your diced turkey, cooked rice, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Then stir in mayonnaise and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fold in the finely diced onion, celery, and slivered almonds next. At this stage, taste your mixture—season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to your liking. This step is key to making sure your casserole is perfectly seasoned before baking.

Step 3: Transfer and Top

Pour everything into your prepared baking dish and spread out evenly. In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, mixing until the crumbs are well coated. Sprinkle this buttery topping evenly over the entire casserole to lock in moisture and add that irresistible golden crunch.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the casserole uncovered for about 25 to 30 minutes. You want the edges to bubble, and the cracker topping to turn a nice golden brown. Keep an eye on it after 20 minutes just to make sure it doesn’t over-brown. Once done, let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving—it helps everything set nicely.

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Pro Tips for Making Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

Use Day-Old Rice: Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and makes the casserole soggy; using chilled day-old rice really improves texture.
Don’t Skip the Buttered Cracker Topping: This step adds the perfect buttery crunch that takes the dish from good to unforgettable.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Giving the casserole a few minutes to rest lets it set up and makes serving easier.
Adjust Seasonings to Your Turkey: Leftover turkey can vary in saltiness, so always taste and adjust salt and pepper before baking.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy, light beige casserole. The casserole has a thick layer of broken up golden-brown crackers scattered on top, with small green herb leaves sprinkled over them. The creamy base underneath looks smooth with some small pieces mixed in, likely vegetables or chicken, and a spoon rests inside the dish with a scoop taken out from one corner. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blue and white cloth underneath the left side. Surrounding the dish are fresh green lettuce leaves in a bowl on the top left, fresh herbs nearby, and torn white bread on the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, leftover turkey recipes, easy comfort food, holiday leftovers casserole, cheesy turkey rice bake

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley right on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper or even a pinch of smoked paprika to brighten the dish visually and aromatically. It’s these little touches that make the dish look inviting and taste elevated.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with simple green veggies like steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts. A crisp side salad with a tart vinaigrette also cuts through the richness nicely. And if you want to keep things ultra-comforting, a side of buttery green beans is always a hit at our table.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday leftovers or special dinners, I’ve baked this casserole in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation that feels a little fancy but is so easy. Another fun idea is layering the mixture in a clear glass dish so people can see all the colorful ingredients; it always sparks compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually portion it out into individual servings so reheating for quick lunches or dinners is a breeze. Just keep in mind that the crunchy topping softens in the fridge, but it’s still delicious.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole both before and after baking with success. If freezing before baking, cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months—bake straight from frozen, just add extra time. After baking, let it cool then wrap it well; when reheating, add a bit of extra buttered cracker crumbs on top to refresh the crunch.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes depending on portion size. I find using the oven keeps that crispy topping better than the microwave, which can get soggy. For single servings, a quick zap in the microwave works fine if you’re in a hurry—just expect softer crumbs.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rice for this casserole?

Absolutely! While white rice is traditional, you can use brown rice, jasmine, or even wild rice blends. Just be sure your rice is cooked and slightly cooled to avoid excess moisture, which could make your casserole soggy.
What if I don’t have condensed cream of mushroom soup?

No worries! You can swap in condensed cream of chicken or cream of celery soup depending on your flavor preference. If you want a homemade option, a simple white sauce (béchamel) seasoned with herbs also works well.
Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the turkey for cooked mushrooms, chickpeas, or your favorite veggies and use vegetable broth. Use a vegetarian cream soup or homemade white sauce to keep the same creamy texture.
How can I add more vegetables to the casserole?

Adding veggies like peas, carrots, or diced bell peppers works well. Just make sure to cook or par-cook them first so they’re tender by the time the casserole finishes baking.
Will the almonds get soggy during baking?

They may soften slightly but will still add a lovely subtle crunch and nutty flavor. If you want extra crunch, you can toast them beforehand or sprinkle some on top just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe has been a lifesaver in my kitchen, turning what could be boring leftovers into a warm, inviting meal that never feels like second best. I urge you to try this the next time you have turkey lingering in your fridge—you’ll love how quick it is to pull together and how much your family will enjoy every bite. It’s the kind of recipe I reach for again and again, and I can’t wait for you to find it as comforting and satisfying as I do.