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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Make the most of your holiday leftovers with these Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a savory mixture of turkey, mashed potatoes, and cheese, then topped with stuffing and gravy. Baked until warm and bubbly, this dish combines everything you love about Thanksgiving into one easy, comforting meal. Crispy edges, gooey cheese, and a flavorful filling make it a perfect choice for enjoying the best of the holiday season. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs to finish it off with a touch of brightness.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:04:58 GMT
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Put your holiday leftovers to delicious use with these Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells. This comforting dish takes everything you love about Thanksgiving and transforms it into a baked pasta masterpiece.

INGREDIENTS
  • Jumbo Pasta Shells: 12 shells, cooked until al dente for stuffing
  • Turkey: 1 cup, chopped to utilize leftovers
  • Mashed Potatoes: 1 cup, for creamy texture
  • Celery: 1 tbsp, diced for crunch
  • Yellow Onion: 2 tbsp, diced for flavor depth
  • Garlic: 1 clove, minced
  • Cheddar Cheese: 3 oz, shredded and divided for cheesy goodness
  • Gravy: 1¼ cups, divided for moisture and flavor
  • Bread Stuffing: 1 cup, for topping and added texture
  • Salt & Pepper: To taste, for seasoning
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 1½ quart baking dish.
Step 2:
Boil jumbo pasta shells for 8-9 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Step 3:
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped turkey, warm mashed potatoes, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4:
Spread ¾ cup of gravy in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 5:
Fill each cooked pasta shell with the turkey mixture using a scoop and arrange in the dish.
Step 6:
Top with the remaining gravy, leftover stuffing, and the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 7:
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 8:
Garnish with parsley, chives, or green onions before serving warm.
Serving and Storage Tips
  • Serve immediately as a warm, satisfying main course.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Helpful Notes
  • Customize the filling by adding other leftover vegetables like carrots or green beans.
  • Experiment with different cheeses such as mozzarella or Gruyère for a twist.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Dana suggests adding a sprinkle of crushed fried onions for a crunchy topping.
  • Chef Ricardo recommends using leftover cranberry sauce as a tangy garnish.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells Pin it
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells | recipesbyclare.com

Turkey Stuffed Shells

Jumbo pasta shells filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, cheese, and gravy, making it the perfect way to enjoy holiday leftovers.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings (One 1½ quart baking dish)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12 Jumbo pasta shells.
02 1 cup Turkey, chopped.
03 1 cup Mashed potatoes.
04 1 tbsp Celery, diced.
05 2 tbsp Yellow onion, diced.
06 1 clove Garlic, minced.
07 3 oz Cheddar cheese, shredded (divided).
08 1¼ cups Gravy.
09 1 cup Bread stuffing.
10 Salt and Pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 1½ quart baking dish.

Step 02

Boil jumbo pasta shells for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 03

In a mixing bowl, combine chopped turkey, warm mashed potatoes, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 04

Spread ¾ cup of the gravy in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 05

Fill each cooked pasta shell with the turkey mixture and arrange in the baking dish.

Step 06

Top the shells with the remaining gravy, leftover stuffing, and the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 07

Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  1. This dish is a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
  2. The combination of flavors and textures makes this a hearty and satisfying meal.
  3. Feel free to customize the filling with additional vegetables or different cheeses.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~