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    Home » Pasta » Spaghetti Casserole, for Leftover Turkey or Ham

    Spaghetti Casserole, for Leftover Turkey or Ham

    Posted on January 29, 2019 By Beth Neels

    427 shares
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    Spaghetti Casserole Pinterest image
    Spaghetti Casserole Pinterest image
    Spaghetti Casserole Pinterest image
    Spaghetti Casserole Pinterest image

    This Spaghetti Casserole is easy and perfect for your weeknight dinner! Spaghetti Casserole is a perfect use up for letover turkey or ham! It’s creamy, cheesy and oh, so good!!

    close up of whole spaghetti casserole with chunks of turkey

    Looking for a different use up for your leftover turkey or ham from the holidays! We have been making this one for years! It is totally customizable, in the fact that you can add any vegetable you like, and even whatever meat you like. Try browned ground beef, even.

    A mixture of cheeses, or a single cheese can be chosen, that is up to you, as well! Just remember that mild cheeses will melt better, giving you a creamier sauce. Sharp cheeses can be added in lesser quantities to boost the flavor profile.

    white bowl with spaghetti casserole

    The other bonus, for me at least, is that it is made without dairy milk. I use this Evaporated Milk Substitute to make it extra thick and creamy!

    Whole casserole with spoon in it.

    You can use canned evaporated milk, if you choose to. If you don’t have any evaporated milk in the pantry, just use milk. It will still thicken up for you nicely!

    woman's hand scooping turkey casserole onto fork from bowl

    So basically, this Spaghetti Casserole is a kicked up macaroni and cheese!

    whole spaghetti casserole on natural tree round pedestal

    How to Make Spaghetti Casserole

    1. Melt butter in medium saucepan. Heat milk or evaporated milk in a separate pan.
    2. When butter bubbles, add flour, all at once. Whisk until fully incorporated and bubbly.
    3. Pour in heated milk, all at once. Season with white pepper and a bit of nutmeg.
    4. Cook and whisk over medium heat, until thickened an creamy. Add cheese. After cheese melts, taste and adjust salt.
    5. Dice turkey or ham into bite sized pieces.
    6. Cook spaghetti, according to package directions. Drain. Add half of cheese sauce to spaghetti and combine.
    7. Add turkey or ham and frozen peas.
    8. Combine.
    9. Turn pasta into baking dish. Top with remaining sauce.
    10. Sprinkle top of casserole with bread crumbs.
    Roux in saucepan. Milk added to roux. White pepper added to white sauce. Cheese added to thickened white sauce. Diced turkey on cutting board. White sauce added to drained spaghetti. Peas and turkey added to pasta. Pasta mixed up in pot. Spaghetti added to casserole dish with remaining cheese sauce on top. Top of casserole sprinkled with toasted bread crumbs.

    Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, until hot and slightly bubbly.

    casserole dish showing inside of casserole with piece removed

    Can spaghetti casserole be frozen?

    close up of cheesy, meaty spaghetti casserole

    This recipe will serve a large crowd. If you want to separate the mixture into several smaller casseroles, it will freeze very well.

    Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake according to directions. It may take up to an hour to heat through, if the casserole is cold.

    Other easy recipes that utilize this cheese sauce

    • Lobster Mac and Cheese
    • Mac and Cheese
    • Burritos with Cheese Sauce
    • Cauliflower au Gratin
    close up of bowl with casserole and green towel

    That’s how easy it is to make this homemade Spaghetti Casserole, to use up the leftovers from your holiday meals.

    I hope you like the recipe today!

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    Tools I Use to Make Spaghetti Casserole

    Contains affiliate links, for full disclosure, see FTC Disclosure, here.

    • 4 quart Covered Casserole
    • Pasta Pot
    • Saucepans

    Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

    Xoxo,

    Binky’s Signature
    Cheesy casserole in glass casserole dish.

    Spaghetti Casserole for Leftover Turkey or Ham

    This Spaghetti Casserole is easy and perfect for your weeknight dinner! Spaghetti Casserole is a perfect use up for leftover turkey or ham! It’s creamy, cheesy and oh, so good!
    See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: entree, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 483kcal
    Author: Beth Neels
    Cost: $4

    Ingredients

    • 4 tbsp Butter
    • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • 3 cups Milk
    • 1 tsp white pepper
    • pinch freshly grated nutmeg
    • 4 cups mixed cheeses
    • 1 lb spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
    • 2 cups diced turkey or ham
    • 1 cup Frozen Peas

    Instructions

    • Melt butter in medium saucepan. Heat milk or evaporated milk in a separate pan
    • When butter bubbles, add flour, all at once. Whisk until fully incorporated and bubbly.
    • Pour in heated milk, all at once. Season with white pepper and a bit of nutmeg.
    • Cook and whisk over medium heat, until thickened an creamy. Add cheese. After cheese melts, taste and adjust salt.
    • Dice turkey or ham into bite sized pieces.
    • Cook spaghetti, according to package directions. Drain. Add half of cheese sauce to spaghetti and combine.
    • Add turkey or ham and frozen peas.
    • Combine.
    • Turn pasta into baking dish. Top with remaining sauce.
    • Sprinkle top of casserole with bread crumbs.
    • Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, until hot and slightly bubbly.
    casserole, 4 qt
    pasta pot
    pasta server
    See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

    Video

    Notes

    Great for using leftover ham or turkey.
    Can be frozen for about 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. When fully thawed cook according to above instructions, adding time, if needed to get casserole hot.
    Leftovers can be frozen, but it’s better fresh.
    To reheat, add a bit of milk and heat on stovetop or in microwave.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1030IU | Vitamin C: 7.3mg | Calcium: 521mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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    Originally Published 1/14/2019

    « Evaporated Milk Substitute
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    427 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janjan

      October 18, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      This is an excellent way to use leftover turkey – Delicious!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        October 19, 2020 at 11:01 am

        I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for letting me know Janjan!

        Reply
    2. Lesli Schwartz

      January 31, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      Love, love, love using leftovers! This is genius! I love pasta so whatever you put in there will make me happy. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 31, 2019 at 1:46 pm

        Thanks Lesli! I’m glad you like this! I agree! I love using leftovers!

        Reply
    3. Brian Jones

      January 31, 2019 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      What a wonderful lazy day meal, this is similar to something my Mum would cook to use up leftover roast meat from Sunday lunch. So many great food memories 😀

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 31, 2019 at 11:38 am

        That is so true! Food can totally bring back wonderful memories! Thank you Brian!

        Reply
    4. Jeannette (Jay Joy)

      January 30, 2019 at 10:14 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious to me, I’ve never had anything like it! It looks so easy to make as well.

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 31, 2019 at 11:36 am

        It is really easy! Thanks so much for the comment, Jeannette!

        Reply
    5. Caroline

      January 30, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      5 stars
      Looks like a comforting meal, and as you say a great way to use up some leftovers as well. Easy meals are always welcome after holidays!

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 31, 2019 at 11:28 am

        That is so true! We always work so hard to make the holiday meals special and delicious, it’s nice to have easy things. Caroline.

        Reply
    6. Susan

      January 30, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! I have leftover ham from Christmas (frozen, of course) and what a perfect way to use it! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 31, 2019 at 11:26 am

        I love doing that, freezing some leftover meat, and transforming it at a later date, into something delicious! Thanks for the comment, Susan!

        Reply
    7. Shashi at Savory Spin

      January 29, 2019 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      This is the kind of stick to ma ribs meal I need today as I’m in the middle of packing and moving!

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 29, 2019 at 4:07 pm

        Oh, bless you! I hate moving! Good luck! Thanks for your comment, Shashi!

        Reply
    8. Veena Azmanov

      January 29, 2019 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      This is delicious and perfect for my family. Such dishes are a grab at my Dinner Table and surely need to take a try. Thanks for this amazing recipe.

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 29, 2019 at 4:07 pm

        Thank you Veena! We love easy casseroles like this, as well! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Jill

      January 29, 2019 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      My kids would definitely be a fan of this spaghetti casserole. Pasta and cheese – can’t lose!

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 29, 2019 at 4:08 pm

        Agreed! PAsta is cheese is kind of a win-win situation!! Thanks so much, Jill!

        Reply
    10. Sally

      January 29, 2019 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks like a good comfort meal that’s easy to prepare. I love spaghetti in casseroles.

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 29, 2019 at 4:09 pm

        Perfect for this hideously cold weather we have been having around me this winter! Thanks Sally!

        Reply
    11. Carmella

      January 29, 2019 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely nothing can go wrong when you combine pasta with cheese! We used to make something like this when I was a kid with just whatever we had in the refrigerator. Always so delicious

      Reply
      • Binky

        January 29, 2019 at 10:55 am

        You are so right there! Thank you Carmella! It is a good way to clean out the refrigerator!

        Reply

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