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Turkey Casserole With Cheesy Golden Crust

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A comforting and easy turkey casserole featuring a creamy cheese sauce and a crispy golden crust, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced (leftover roast or rotisserie turkey)
  • 3 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or penne recommended)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk or 2%
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook 3 cups of pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux.
  4. Slowly add 1 ½ cups of milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Optionally, fold in ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and shredded turkey with the cheese sauce until well coated. Transfer to an oven-safe casserole dish.
  7. Mix ½ cup breadcrumbs with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon melted butter to help it brown.
  8. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  9. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to settle.

Notes

To prevent lumps in the cheese sauce, whisk the roux and milk slowly over medium heat and avoid boiling. Shredding your own cheese helps it melt better. If the crust browns too fast, cover loosely with foil during baking. Resting the casserole before serving helps the filling settle. You can prepare the sauce and pasta ahead of time to speed up assembly.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food, leftover turkey recipe, easy casserole, cheesy golden crust, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/turkey-casserole-with-cheesy-golden-crust-easy-5-step-recipe-for-comfort-meal/