Turkey Noodle Casserole

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Turkey noodle casserole is a yummy meal that’s easy to make. You can whip up this dish in just 50 minutes, including prep and cooking time. It’s great for using up leftover turkey after the holidays. The mix of noodles, veggies, and creamy sauce makes it a hit with the whole family.

This recipe serves 12 people, so it’s perfect for big gatherings or meal prep. Each serving has 258 calories. The recipe uses simple items like egg noodles, butter, onion, and frozen veggies. You’ll also need some cooked turkey, broth, and spices to give it lots of flavor.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy turkey noodle casserole:

• 12 ounces egg noodles
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or whole milk

For the seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Additional ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Make sure you have all these items ready before you start cooking. This recipe serves 12 and takes about 50 minutes total to make.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the egg noodles in salted water until they’re almost done, about 1 minute less than the package says. Drain them well.

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a big pot. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until soft. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.

Slowly pour in the broth and half-and-half, whisking to make it smooth. Let it bubble, then turn down the heat and stir often until it thickens.

Take the pot off the heat. Mix in the seasonings: poultry seasoning, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.

In your greased dish, combine the noodles, sauce, thawed veggies, and turkey cubes. Mix it all up well.

Melt the last tablespoon of butter and mix it with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this over your casserole.

Bake without a cover for 25-30 minutes. It’s done when it’s bubbly and the top is light brown. Let it cool for 5 minutes before you dig in!

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap ingredients in this turkey noodle casserole to fit your tastes or what you have on hand. Here are some options:

• Noodles: Try rotini, penne, or bow-tie pasta instead of egg noodles
• Meat: Use chicken, ham, or even tuna in place of turkey
• Veggies: Swap the mixed veggies for your favorites like broccoli, peas, or carrots
• Milk: Replace half-and-half with whole milk or heavy cream
• Breadcrumbs: Use crushed crackers or potato chips for the topping

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and flour. To make it dairy-free, try plant-based milk and butter substitutes.

Want to add more flavor? Mix in some shredded cheese or diced bacon. You can also spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

Remember, these swaps may change the taste and texture a bit, but they’ll still give you a yummy casserole. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this turkey noodle casserole more diabetes-friendly with a few simple swaps. Use whole wheat egg noodles instead of regular ones to add fiber and slow down carb absorption.

Replace half the noodles with extra veggies like cauliflower or zucchini to lower the carb count. Pick low-fat milk instead of half-and-half to cut down on saturated fat.

Try these easy changes to the sauce:

• Use 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• Choose low-sodium broth
• Add extra herbs and spices for flavor

For the topping, use crushed nuts or seeds instead of breadcrumbs. This adds healthy fats and protein while reducing carbs.

Watch your portion sizes too. Aim for 1 cup or less per serving. Pair it with a big side salad to fill your plate without spiking blood sugar.

These tweaks make the casserole more blood sugar-friendly without losing the comfort food taste you love. You can enjoy this cozy meal while keeping your diabetes in check.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make this casserole your own by trying different veggies. Peas, carrots, and corn work great!

For extra flavor, add some shredded cheese to the sauce. Cheddar or Parmesan are tasty options.

You can prep this dish ahead of time. Just assemble everything but don’t add the breadcrumb topping. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add the breadcrumb topping and bake as directed.

To freeze, wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Leftovers stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot.

For a crispy top, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes after baking. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

Try using rotisserie chicken instead of turkey for a quick weeknight meal.