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Leftover Turkey Shells

Category: Delicious Main Course Recipes for Every Occasion

Don’t let your holiday turkey go to waste with these cozy stuffed shells. They’re full of turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, cheese, and topped with gravy and stuffing. Pop them into the oven 'til bubbly and golden. The crispy outside, gooey center, and herby hints will make every bite a hit. It’s all your Thanksgiving flavors packed into one plate! Sprinkle some fresh herbs for a fancy touch before serving.

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Mena
Updated on Mon, 17 Mar 2025 01:33:23 GMT
Stuffed Jumbo Shells with Leftover Turkey Save
Stuffed Jumbo Shells with Leftover Turkey | delishdocket.com

Transform your holiday extras into something amazing with these Turkey Leftovers Stuffed Pasta Shells. This cozy meal takes all the best bits of your Thanksgiving feast and turns them into a baked pasta treat your family will love.

INGREDIENTS
  • Jumbo Pasta Shells: 12 shells, boiled till slightly firm for filling
  • Turkey: 1 cup, cut into small pieces from leftovers
  • Mashed Potatoes: 1 cup, adds smoothness to the mix
  • Yellow Onion: 2 tbsp, finely chopped for extra taste
  • Celery: 1 tbsp, chopped small for a bit of snap
  • Garlic: 1 clove, crushed fine
  • Cheddar Cheese: 3 oz, grated and split for that melty goodness
  • Gravy: 1¼ cups, split up for moisture and rich flavor
  • Bread Stuffing: 1 cup, sprinkled on top for nice texture
  • Salt & Pepper: As needed, to make flavors pop
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1:
Get your oven hot at 350°F and give a 1½ quart baking dish a quick oil rub.
Step 2:
Cook the jumbo pasta shells in water for 8-9 minutes till they're firm but not hard, drain and put aside.
Step 3:
Mix your cut-up turkey, warm mashed potatoes, chopped onion, chopped celery, crushed garlic, and half your grated cheddar in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 4:
Pour ¾ cup of gravy across the bottom of your oiled baking dish.
Step 5:
Stuff each pasta shell with your turkey mix and place them in the dish.
Step 6:
Pour the rest of your gravy on top, then add your leftover stuffing and the other half of your grated cheddar.
Step 7:
Bake for 25-30 minutes till it's hot through and the cheese is all bubbly and golden.
Step 8:
Throw on some parsley, chives, or green onions before you serve it warm.
Serving and Storage Tips
  • Best eaten right away as a filling main dish.
  • You can keep any extras in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm them up in the oven for the tastiest results.
Helpful Notes
  • Throw in other leftover veggies like green beans or carrots if you want.
  • Try switching up the cheese with something like mozzarella or Gruyère for a different flavor.

Expert Chef Ideas

  • Dana thinks a handful of crushed crispy onions on top really makes it special.
  • Ricardo likes adding a dollop of leftover cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart kick.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells Save
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffed Shells | delishdocket.com

Turkey Stuffed Shells

Big pasta shells packed with mashed potatoes, turkey, cheese, and covered in savory gravy. A yummy way to repurpose holiday leftovers.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min
By: Mena

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings (A 1½ quart casserole dish full)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

01 12 large pasta shells.
02 1 cup chopped turkey.
03 1 cup creamy mashed potatoes.
04 1 tablespoon finely diced celery.
05 2 tablespoons diced yellow onion.
06 1 minced garlic clove.
07 3 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, split in half.
08 1¼ cups of rich gravy.
09 1 cup of bread stuffing.
10 Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 1½ quart baking dish with oil or spray.

Step 02

Boil the pasta shells for about 8-9 minutes until they’re just tender. Drain them well and leave aside.

Step 03

Mix the turkey, mashed potatoes, celery, onion, garlic, and half of the cheddar cheese in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to match your taste.

Step 04

Pour ¾ cup of gravy evenly into the bottom of your greased baking dish.

Step 05

Spoon the turkey mixture into each pasta shell, then arrange them neatly on top of the gravy in the dish.

Step 06

Cover the shells with the rest of the gravy, sprinkle on the bread stuffing, and top it all with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until everything’s hot and the cheese is melted and golden.

Step 07

Sprinkle some chopped parsley, chives, or green onion on top if you’d like. Serve freshly baked and warm.

Notes

  1. Perfect for using up leftovers like turkey, mashed potatoes, or gravy from Thanksgiving.
  2. The mix of textures and tastes makes it filling and super comforting.
  3. Swap in other veggies or cheeses to make it your own.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Proteins: ~