Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Thanksgiving Leftover Lasagna is a creative and delicious way to transform your holiday scraps into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. Layering turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy between sheets of pasta creates a rich, hearty dish that’s perfect for using up leftovers and enjoying familiar flavors in a fun new way.
ingredients
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
cooked turkey (shredded or diced)
stuffing
mashed potatoes
cranberry sauce
gravy
lasagna noodles (cooked)
mozzarella cheese (shredded)
cream cheese or ricotta (optional)
butter or olive oil
salt and pepper
directions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread a thin layer of gravy on the bottom of a baking dish.
Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the gravy.
Spread a layer of mashed potatoes over the noodles.
Add a layer of turkey evenly over the potatoes.
Spoon some stuffing on top of the turkey layer.
Drizzle cranberry sauce over the stuffing.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously.
Repeat layers ending with noodles topped with gravy and cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Variations
Add sautéed vegetables like green beans or mushrooms for extra texture.
Use sweet potatoes instead of regular mashed potatoes.
Incorporate leftover ham or sausage for a meatier version.
Mix cream cheese or ricotta into mashed potatoes for creaminess.
storage/reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
FAQs
Can I assemble this the day before?
Yes, prepare it ahead and refrigerate; bake just before serving.
Do I need to boil lasagna noodles?
Yes, unless using no-boil noodles.
Can I use frozen leftovers?
Thaw completely before assembling.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free noodles and check gravy for gluten.
Can I add extra cheese?
Absolutely! More cheese adds richness and gooeyness.
Can I skip cranberry sauce?
Yes, but it adds a nice tart contrast.
What type of gravy works best?
Homemade or store-bought turkey or chicken gravy works well.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Substitute turkey and stuffing with vegetables and use vegetable gravy.
How do I prevent soggy lasagna?
Use thick mashed potatoes and avoid excess liquid in layers.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, it’s a comforting dish with familiar flavors.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving Leftover Lasagna is a clever, hearty way to reinvent your holiday meals. By layering your favorite Thanksgiving flavors into a warm, cheesy casserole, you get a fresh, satisfying dish that’s perfect for enjoying leftovers with family and friends.
Print
Thanksgiving Leftover Lasagna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes (plus resting)
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Course / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A creamy, comforting casserole that reinvents Thanksgiving leftovers—turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy—in layered lasagna form for an indulgent post-holiday meal.
Ingredients
- 9–12 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente
- 2 cups shredded roasted turkey
- 2 cups leftover stuffing
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (loose and scoopable)
- 1¼ cups cranberry sauce
- 1–2 cups leftover gravy or turkey gravy
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of gravy on the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking.
- Lay 3–4 lasagna noodles side by side over the gravy layer.
- Top noodles with ½ of the shredded turkey, followed by ½ of the stuffing, and ½ of the mashed potatoes. Dollop with ½ of the cranberry sauce.
- Drizzle ½ cup of gravy evenly over this layer, then sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan over the top.
- Add another layer of noodles, then repeat: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, and cheeses.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles. Pour remaining gravy over top and cover with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Let rest 10 minutes—this helps the layers set.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, slice into portions, and serve warm.
Notes
- Swap lasagna noodles for thinly sliced leftover turkey breast for a noodle-free version.
- Adjust cranberry sauce amount to your sweetness preference—more for contrast, less for savory focus.
- Add leftover veggies (green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts) between layers for extra texture and nutrition.
- For a creamy twist, stir a little sour cream or cream cheese into your mashed potato layer.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight—add 10 minutes to baking time if chilled.