I’m not really sure why people only make turkey around the holidays. It really isn’t all that much work considering how much meat it yields! I love cooking up a large bird and then using the leftovers for all sorts of delicious meals like this one.
This is a great day 2 recipe, I call it. Let’s say you make turkey with mashed potatoes and corn the night before and you have leftovers of everything. Instead of just reheating them and serving them again, throw them all in a casserole with a few added seasonings and ingredients and BOOM. It’s like you have an entirely new dish.
This works great with different veggies or even sweet potatoes instead. If you have leftover carrots and green beans, perfect. Peas and corn instead? Works awesome. Whatever veggie combo you’d like to use, it tastes great!
Even if you are a leftover hater, just give this dish a try and you just might change your mind.
~Mavis
Turkey Casserole Freezer Meal with Mashed Potato Frosting
Ingredients
3–4 cups shredded turkey
2 cups corn kernels
2 cups peas
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
1 large carrot, chopped
1 jar turkey gravy {or 2 cups homemade}
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a large skillet saute the potatoes and carrots in olive oil over low heat until fork tender. Cool and set aside.
Place all the ingredients, except the mashed potatoes in a large bowl and mix well.
Spray a 9×13 pan in olive oil and add turkey mixture. Top with mashed potatoes and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are lightly browned. Serve warm and enjoy.
Links to freezer pans I commonly use:
- Aluminum Foil Pan Containers with Lids 8.5″ x 6″ x 3″
- Aluminum Foil Deep Pans 9″ x 13″
- Round 9 Inch Aluminum Foil Pans with lids
Find More of My Freezer Meal Recipes
Linda Sand says
My aunt who had six kids cooked a turkey every Sunday–lots of protein for the price.
Practical Parsimony says
I love turkey all year long. I usually buy about three during the holidays for storing. My freezer broke with 2 turkeys spoiled. Now, I no longer have a freezer to store even one turkey, plus, I cannot lift a turkey, much less put it in a pan and bend down to put it in the freezer. Turkey is good year round.
Linda says
I assume I can use smaller pans. There’s only the two of us and smaller casseroles would be better!
Tiffany Kerns says
Mavis,
I made a turkey last weekend because yes they are so cheap and go so far! So, question, could I make the casserole and freeze without the mashed potatoes and then add them at the point of baking? Do you thaw the casserole before you cook it?
Thanks for the recipe. Super easy and a great way to use up the gravy too.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, I usually thaw mine the night before in the fridge. Adding the mashed potato topping just before baking works too! 🙂
Natasha Kroucamp says
Stumbled over your website and your freezerrecipe lists. And so excited to start trying them out. Although I have a quick question, is it possible to make this meal and freeze it, mash potato topping included. And then thaw it in the fridge the night before?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. I do it all the time.
Julie P says
I’m sold, not cooking a turkey this year as we are away and the motorhome freezer would be full if we put just a turkey in there. I forgot how good they are and how they streeeetch, so am off to the shops today to buy two to put in the freezer for our return. I’m not sure we can buy whole turkeys all year round here but then I’ve never thought about looking. I always buy a large chicken.
Allison Coullietteburk says
I love reading these news of what you have been teaching me. All this time. When I was a kid we had large gardens and rarely when to the stores mainly for salt and a few spices. So thank you for bringing back wonderful cherished memories.