Spaghetti Casserole, for Leftover Turkey or Ham
This Spaghetti Casserole is easy and perfect for your weeknight dinner. It’s a great way to use up leftover turkey or ham. It’s creamy, cheesy and oh, so good.
Are you looking for a different use for your leftover turkey or ham from the holidays? We have been making this one for years. It is totally customizable; you can add any vegetable you like, and even whatever meat you want. Try browned ground beef, even.
A mixture of cheeses, or a single type of 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.
What You Need
- Turkey or Ham: This recipe is ideal for leftover turkey or ham.
- Pasta: Use any pasta shape that you like; spaghetti, bowties, ziti, rigatoni and elbow macaroni work well.
- Vegetable: Frozen peas, corn or mixed vegetables. You can also use leftover green beans or carrots from your holiday dinner.
- Butter: It’s best to use unsalted butter.
- Flour: General all-purpose flour is fine.
- Milk: For extra creamy sauce, use evaporated milk, an evaporated milk substitute or whole milk.
- Cheese: Use mild cheddar, Colby Jack, Swiss, or Gruyere for their melty properties. Then add a sharp cheddar, parmesan or your favorite cheese.
- Pepper: Use white pepper, if you have it. It gives you the pepper flavor, but you don’t see the large, black pepper flakes in the sauce.
- Nutmeg: Just a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg gives the sauce a delicious kick. This is very traditional in a bechamel sauce.
- Salt: Different cheeses have different salt content, so wait until the cheese melts to taste for salt and adjust to taste.
How to Make Spaghetti Casserole
Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Heat milk or evaporated milk in a separate pan.
When the butter bubbles, add the 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 and creamy. Add the cheese. After the cheese melts, taste and adjust the salt, as needed.
Dice the turkey or ham into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain, reserving a mug of the starchy pasta water. Add half of the cheese sauce to the spaghetti along with some of the reserved pasta water, and combine.
Add the turkey or ham and frozen peas.
Stir to combine well.
Turn the pasta into a baking dish. Spray the baking dish with cooking spray for easy cleanup. Top it with the remaining sauce.
Sprinkle the top of the casserole with bread crumbs.
Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, until hot and slightly bubbly.
Can Spaghetti Casserole be Frozen?
This recipe will serve a large crowd. If you want to separate the mixture into several smaller casseroles, it will freeze very well. It’s a great meal prep recipe.
Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake according to the directions. It may take up to an hour to heat through if the casserole is cold.
More Recipes with Cheese Sauce
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Mac and Cheese
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Burritos with Cheese Sauce
- Cauliflower au Gratin
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That’s how easy it is to make this homemade Spaghetti Casserole, to use up the leftovers from your holiday meals.
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Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Spaghetti Casserole for Leftover Turkey or Ham
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Butter
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 cups Milk
- 1 teaspoon pepper white pepper if you have it.
- 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 cups mixed cheeses
- 16 ounces uncooked spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions 1 pound
- 2 cups diced turkey or ham
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Heat milk or evaporated milk in a separate pan.
- When the butter bubbles, add the flour, all at once. Whisk until fully incorporated and bubbly. Let the mixture bubble for a minute or two to cook the flour or the sauce will taste like flour.
- Pour in the heated milk, all at once. Season with white pepper and a bit of nutmeg.
- Cook and whisk over medium heat until thickened and creamy. Add the cheese. After the cheese melts, taste and adjust salt.
- Dice the turkey or ham into bite sized pieces.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, just until tender. Don't overcook. It will continue to cook in the oven. Drain. Add half of the cheese sauce to the spaghetti and combine.
- Add the turkey or ham and frozen peas.
- Combine.
- Turn pasta into baking dish. Top with remaining sauce.
- Sprinkle the top of the casserole with bread crumbs.
- Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, until hot and slightly bubbly.
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Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published January 14, 2019. Updated November 4, 2025.
Recipe Name: Spaghetti Casserole for Leftover Turkey or Ham
Type: Main Course
Main Ingredients: Turkey or ham, pasta, cheese, milk, butter, flour, peas
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Special Equipment: Saucepan, pasta pot, 4-quart covered casserole dish
Great For: Weeknight dinners, holiday leftovers, meal prep
This is an excellent way to use leftover turkey – Delicious!
I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for letting me know Janjan!