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    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

    Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

    Published: October 12, 2021 | Last Updated: September 15, 2023 | Lisa 3 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A graphic for Thanksgiving leftover turkey shepherd's pie recipe.

    Last Updated September 15th, 2023 at 10:12 am by Lisa

    After the holidays, try this leftover turkey recipe for shepherd's pie. Use turkey leftovers, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more from Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas.

    Years and years ago, I had so many leftovers. I asked my Dad, "What am I going to do with all this food?" And he wisely said, "Well why don't you make a turkey shepherd's pie?"

    At first, it sounded weird, but then I thought hey that is a good idea. So I made one. Dad, this recipe is all yours, I give you full credit.

    As a matter of fact, it is a yearly tradition and a great freezer meal. Bake it up all golden and bubbly on a cold evening. This is fast comfort food to love...

    Pin

    These are the turkey leftovers and fixings I had from Thanksgiving that went into this recipe...

    Pin

    Why Everyone Will Love It

    • Well, what is a better reason than, it uses your leftovers?
    • Everyone loves comfort food.
    • No prep with this recipe, just layer leftovers and bake.
    • The sweet and savory layers just work. Trust me. And yes, even the cranberry sauce.
    • You will have a casserole in the freezer ready to go, with ZERO dinner prep!
    • Each bite is different. I put mashed potatoes on the top but you could even do Mac and Cheese or scalloped potatoes top. I mean why not?
    • No wasted leftovers, and they taste even better after a day or two.
    Pin

    Thanksgiving Leftovers To Use Up...

    • Dressing or Stuffing
    • Turkey Try my easy Turkey Breast, Spatchcock Turkey, or Roast Turkey with a Dry Brine recipe!
    • Gravy
    • Cranberry Sauce
    • Cranberry Relish
    • Sweet Potato Casserole with marshmallow topping
    • Ruth's Chris Steak House Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Mashed Potatoes
    Pin

    More Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

    Mix it up and try different things for your Thanksgiving leftover casserole. Use what you have and what you made for the holidays. There really are no rules, you can layer so many different things in this shepherd's pie.

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    Mashed potatoes are classic, but why not top with Mac and Cheese with a sprinkle of buttered breadcrumbs or panko? Or, try potato au gratin or scalloped potatoes, and sprinkle with cheese.

    You can layer roasted veggies, sprinkle fried corn or add some green bean casserole. Even if you don't have enough mashed potatoes to cover the top, just dollop them on and criss-cross with a fork for a beautiful pattern.

    • Roasted Butternut Squash or Acorn Squash
    • Scalloped Potatoes
    • Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Carrots
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Potato Au Gratin
    • Roasted Potatoes
    • Cut Corn
    • Sauteed Mushrooms
    • Crumbled Cornbread
    • Mac and Cheese
    Pin

    Turkey Shepherds Pie Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

    Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick spray.

    For LAYER 1 Put stuffing in the bottom of the dish, which is about 2 cups.

    Next LAYER 2 Lay down 2 cups of leftover turkey pieces.

    On LAYER 3 Drizzle ½ cup gravy over the turkey.

    And then LAYER 4 Spoon ¼ cup of cranberry sauce all over.

    LAYER 5 Now dollop spoonfuls of sweet potato casserole all over the casserole.

    Finally LAYER 6 Place large spoonfuls of mashed potatoes on top, and press down with a fork. Dip the for in water to make a criss-cross pattern.

    Bake 45 minutes until mashed potatoes are turning golden brown and the casserole is heated all the way through. Serve hot.

    Pin

    More Turkey Dinner Holiday & Christmas Recipes

    And for leftover turkey, try either my Empanadas, hand pies filled with holiday leftovers, or my Turkey Shepherds Casserole!

    Here are some other great recipes for the holidays, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Make these Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with 5 Ways to Reheat them for your holiday party. And one of them is in your slow cooker with cream and melted butter!

    Sausage Dressing is the BEST holiday side also known as sausage stuffing, it has the best rich flavors! You can use hot and/or mild Italian sausage, cornbread, crunchy celery, soft French bread, sweet dried cherries, and tart dried cranberries. This dish takes traditional stuffing to a whole new level!

    A festive, easy, Christmas Tree Salad with a Cranberry Vinaigrette (made in a Mason jar) will be the talk of your holiday party. Shape this salad like a Christmas tree and decorate it with "garland, ornaments, and snow".

    This Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is Ruth Chris's Thanksgiving side dish made with pecan crumble topping, vanilla extract, and a bit of maple syrup.

    • A white casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes and squares of melted butter on top.
      Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
    • A white casserole dish filled with Sausage Stuffing baked to a golden brown.
      Sausage Stuffing Dressing
    • A salad shaped like a Christmas tree with red bell pepper garland, white apple stars and ornaments of nuts and fruit.
      Christmas Tree Salad
    • Lifting a scoop of sweet potato casserole out of a white casserole dish with large serving spoon.
      Sweet Potato Casserole (Ruth's Chris Recipe)

    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    Easier to roast than a whole Thanksgiving turkey, a Roast Turkey Breast easily goes well with any side dishes you choose and gives you leftovers!

    Make a Cranberry Orange Relish, and delight your friends and family. It has a light fresh taste, a little bit of a crunch, and less sugar than a traditional cranberry sauce. 

    Dinner Rolls is a pull-apart bread, people go crazy for these decorated with cheese and herbs are a party hit every time.

    For sweet potatoes, try either Coconut-Pecan Sweet Potatoes with little marshmallows or Sweet Potato Casserole with a crumble topping and 2 secret ingredients... SO good!

    This tropical Pineapple Orange Cranberry Sauce will be a great addition to take or serve at your holiday feast. It is made in a food processor in minutes, and so clean and refreshing with rich holiday dishes!

    • A gorgeous red and orange cranberry relish in a clear crystal bowl with a spoon.
      Cranberry Relish
    • A close up of baked Frozen Dinner Rolls topped with cheeses, herbs, and seasonings.
      Dinner Rolls
    • A silver server scooping up sweet potato casserole with golden toasted marshmallows on top out of a white casserole dish.
      Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
    • A crystal bowl filled with cranberry sauce with pineapple and cranberries in the background.
      Pineapple-Orange Cranberry Sauce

    Turkey Leftover Recipe: Empanadas

    Wondering what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers? Make Turkey Empanadas also know as hand pies.

    Use Thanksgiving leftovers like turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, or stuffing baked into homemade or store-bought pie crust...

    Empanadas - Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe
    Empanadas made with Thanksgiving leftovers: Use Thanksgiving leftover turkey, ham, mashed potatoes or stuffing, gravy etc baked into homemade or store-bought pie crust. Freeze empanadas for easy weeknight meals!
    GET THE RECIPE PIN IT
    Golden brown baked empanadas decorated with pie crust leaves on a Fall tray.Pin

    CRAVING MORE?

    Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

    A white dish filled with golden bubbly turkey shepherd's pie baked and ready to eat.Pin
    Print Pin Recipe

    Turkey Leftover Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

    A leftover turkey recipe for shepherd's pie to use turkey leftovers, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more from Thanksgiving dinner.
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes minutes
    Servings 10
    Calories 207kcal
    Author Lisa Hatfield

    Equipment

    Large Casserole Dish

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups stuffing
    • 2 cups turkey
    • ½ cup gravy
    • ¼ cup cranberry sauce
    • 2 cups sweet potato casserole
    • 2 cups mashed potatoes
    Get Recipe Ingredients
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    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    • Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick spray.
    • Layer 1: Place stuffing in the bottom of the dish, which is about 2 cups.
    • Layer 2: Next, lay 2 cups of leftover turkey pieces.
    • Layer 3: Now drizzle ½ cup gravy over the turkey.
    • Layer 4: Then spoon ¼ cup of cranberry sauce all over.
    • Layer 5: Now dollup spoonfuls of sweet potato casserole all over the casserole.
    • Layer 6: Place large spoonfuls of mashed potatoes on top, and press down with a fork. Dip the for in water to make a criss cross pattern.
    • Bake 45 minutes until mashed potatoes are turning golden brown and the casserole is heated all the way through. Serve hot.

    Notes

    freezer tips

    Wrap well with plastic wrap and then heavy aluminum foil. You will have a casserole in the freezer ready to go, with ZERO dinner prep!

    More Thanksgiving Leftovers & Ideas

    Mix it up and try different things for your Thanksgiving leftover casserole. Use what you have and what you made for the holidays. There really are no rules, you can layer so many different things in this shepherd's pie.
    Mashed potatoes are classic, but why not top with Mac and Cheese with a sprinkle of buttered breadcrumbs or panko? Or, try potato au gratin or scalloped potatoes, and sprinkle with cheese.
    You can layer roasted veggies, sprinkle fried corn or add some green bean casserole. Even if you don't have enough mashed potatoes to cover the top, just dollop them on and criss-cross with a fork for a beautiful pattern.
    • Roasted Butternut Squash or Acorn Squash
    • Scalloped Potatoes
    • Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Carrots
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Potato Au Gratin
    • Cut Corn
    • Sauteed Mushrooms
    • Crumbled Cornbread
    • Mac and Cheese

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10g | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 10898IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
    Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cheryl Gafner says

      November 26, 2023 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Hi Lisa!

      The combination of sweet and savory was BRILLIANT!
      I made one as written, but the next one will have jiffy corn casserole on the bottom as my cornbread stuffing made the previous rendering, and I will sneak in a tier of green been casserole as we speak!
      This will be my new holiday tradition!
      Thank you for making the holiday bright!!!!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        November 28, 2023 at 8:01 am

        CHERYL!!! Isn't it surprising? I suppose it is because all those flavors go so well together on our plate they really work in a shepherds pie! This recipe holds such a happy place in my heart, as it was my Dads idea. And I can still remember putting the leftovers into this dish. So glad you loved it, and I also have Empanada hand pies for holiday leftovers which are so easy and delicious to bake from the freezer. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!!

        Reply
    2. Jessica Robinson says

      November 30, 2020 at 11:22 am

      5 stars
      Such a great casserole to use up leftover turkey and Thanksgiving dishes! Loved the flavors of this simple to make casserole!

      Reply

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