If you’re anything like me, finding ways to use up leftover turkey that don’t involve the same old sandwiches can feel like a bit of a creative challenge. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this cozy, comforting, and downright delicious Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe with you. It’s a fan-freaking-tastic way to transform those leftovers into a warm, satisfying meal the whole family will devour. With creamy mushroom soup, crunchy almonds, and buttery Ritz cracker topping, this casserole has all the cozy vibes—plus it’s super easy to throw together.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Uses Leftover Turkey Creatively: Turns your turkey leftovers into a brand new, comforting dish that never gets boring.
Easy & Quick Prep: Just about 10 minutes of hands-on time before popping it in the oven.
Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: My family goes crazy for this, especially with that crunchy buttery topping!
Versatile & Adaptable: Swap out ingredients like the mushroom soup or add veggies to suit your pantry and preferences.

A white plate with blue floral patterns holds a creamy layered dish. The bottom layer looks soft and white, with chunks of white meat mixed with small green bits. The middle layer is creamy, covering the meat and vegetables. The top layer is golden brown broken cracker pieces, crunchy and uneven, scattered over the creamy base with small green herb leaves for garnish. To the side, a silver fork rests on the plate. In the background, there are pieces of crusty white bread on a wooden cutting board and a wooden bowl filled with leafy green lettuce, all placed on a white marbled surface, with a blue and white checkered cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, Turkey leftover recipes, easy casserole with turkey, creamy turkey casserole, Thanksgiving leftovers dinner

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are—they come together to create a creamy, crunchy, comforting dish without fuss. Most of these you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.

Flat lay of cooked diced turkey pieces, cooked white rice grains in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of creamy condensed mushroom soup, a small white bowl filled with clear chicken broth, a small white bowl with smooth, pale mayonnaise, a small white bowl holding thick, white sour cream, a small pile of finely diced small onion, a small pile of finely diced celery stalks, a heap of slivered almonds, a small white bowl containing coarse crushed Ritz cracker crumbs, and a small white bowl with melted golden butter, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions in simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, Turkey leftover recipes, easy casserole with turkey, creamy turkey casserole, Thanksgiving leftovers dinner

Cooked diced turkey: Using leftover turkey adds great flavor and protein to this casserole without extra prep.
Cooked rice: White, brown, or even a wild rice blend will work; I like using day-old rice for perfect texture.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Classic addition for creaminess—feel free to swap for cream of chicken or celery if you prefer.
Chicken broth: Adds moisture and helps blend all the flavors wonderfully.
Mayonnaise (room temperature): Adds richness—make sure it’s not cold straight from the fridge so it blends smoothly.
Sour cream (room temperature): Offers a subtle tang to brighten up the creaminess.
Small onion (finely diced): I like yellow onion here for its mild sweetness when baked.
Celery (finely diced): Provides a little crunch and freshness to every bite.
Slivered almonds: They give the casserole a delightful nutty crunch—don’t skip them!
Kosher salt and ground black pepper: To taste, of course—season wisely for balanced flavor.
Ritz crackers: Coarsely crushed for that irresistibly buttery, crunchy topping on the casserole.
Butter (melted): Mix this with cracker crumbs to make that goldeny, crispy crust on top.
Optional garnish: Fresh parsley or herbs to add a pop of color and freshness when serving.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe my own depending on what’s in my fridge or what my family’s craving. Feel free to get creative—this dish is a wonderfully adaptable base!

Add Veggies: I sometimes toss in frozen peas, chopped mushrooms, or even carrots for color and extra nutrients—it blends right into the creamy base.
Switch Up the Soup: Cream of chicken or celery soup works beautifully if you don’t have mushroom on hand; each brings its own subtle twist.
Make it Spicy: A dash of cayenne or smoked paprika kicked up the flavor for one Thanksgiving when I wanted something bold!
Make it Gluten-Free: Swap the Ritz crackers for gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers in the topping.

How to Make Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This step might seem small, but it ensures your casserole won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 2: Mix the Filling

In a large bowl, combine the cooked diced turkey, cooked rice, condensed soup, chicken broth, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Stir in the finely diced onion, celery, and slivered almonds. Give it a good stir, then taste the mixture and season with salt and pepper. I’ve learned that seasoning now really helps all those flavors marry beautifully in the oven.

Step 3: Transfer and Add the Topping

Pour and spread the creamy mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. In a separate small bowl, stir together the coarsely crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle this golden, buttery crumb topping evenly over the casserole. This is the part that always gets me—the contrast of creamy to crunchy is irresistible.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping has turned a gorgeous golden brown. You’ll know it’s done when you see the edges bubbling up and can smell that toasty butter aroma.

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Pro Tips for Making Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

Use Day-Old Rice: Freshly cooked rice can be too moist and make the casserole mushy; day-old rice holds together much better.
Room Temperature Mix-Ins: Let your mayonnaise and sour cream warm to room temp before mixing—it blends smoother and prevents clumping.
Crack the Crackers: Coarsely crushing the Ritz crackers creates the best texture; too fine and it becomes a dense crust.
Don’t Overbake: Cooking past golden brown can dry out the turkey, so keep an eye starting at 25 minutes and remove once bubbly and golden.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy, light beige casserole. The casserole has a thick layer of broken up golden-brown crackers scattered on top, with small green herb leaves sprinkled over them. The creamy base underneath looks smooth with some small pieces mixed in, likely vegetables or chicken, and a spoon rests inside the dish with a scoop taken out from one corner. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blue and white cloth underneath the left side. Surrounding the dish are fresh green lettuce leaves in a bowl on the top left, fresh herbs nearby, and torn white bread on the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole, Turkey leftover recipes, easy casserole with turkey, creamy turkey casserole, Thanksgiving leftovers dinner

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme over the top right before serving. It adds a lovely fresh burst of color and flavor that complements the richness of the casserole. You can also use chives or dill if that’s more your style.

Side Dishes

This casserole stands beautifully on its own but pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. I especially love serving it alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple cucumber and tomato salad to brighten the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion or holiday meal, I like to bake this casserole in individual ramekins for single servings—it looks super charming and feels a bit fancy for something so easy. You could also sprinkle a handful of dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds on top for a festive pop of color and sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge. This casserole keeps well for 3 to 4 days, which makes it perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners later in the week.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing this turkey rice casserole for up to 3 months. Just bake it as directed, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly with foil and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the casserole into a 350°F oven covered with foil to keep it from drying out—usually about 20 minutes or until warmed through. If I’m in a hurry, the microwave works too, though you’ll lose some of the crispy topping charm.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole without turkey?

Absolutely! While turkey is classic here, you can substitute cooked chicken or even turkey sausage. For a vegetarian twist, try using roasted mushrooms or turkey-style plant-based proteins.
What if I don’t have Ritz crackers for the topping?

No problem! You can use any buttery crackers, panko bread crumbs, or even crushed cornflakes. Just make sure to toss them with melted butter for that golden crust.
Can I prepare this casserole earlier in the day?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge until ready to bake. Just add the cracker topping right before popping it in the oven to keep it crispy.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Definitely. Swap the Ritz crackers for gluten-free bread crumbs or gluten-free crackers for the topping, and ensure your soup and broth are gluten-free varieties.

Final Thoughts

This Leftover Turkey Rice Casserole Recipe has become one of those comforting go-tos in my kitchen, especially post-holiday when I want something familiar but fresh. I absolutely love how creamy, crunchy, and cozy it turns out with minimal effort—and I know you’ll enjoy making it just as much as eating it. Next time you’re staring at leftover turkey wondering what to make, remember this delicious casserole—it’s like a warm hug in dinner form, perfect for sharing with family or friends.