How to Make Delicious Turkey and Noodles with Leftover Turkey

I love the look on people’s faces when they ask me about what I made for Thanksgiving. Even though I have this website and I obviously love to bake and cook, I don’t get asked to make much for this particular holiday! The grandmas rule supreme. I have 2 signature dishes that I make for Thanksgiving dinner: cranberry sauce and sweet potato souffle. That’s it.

I do, however, cook turkey pretty often through the winter months, because my family requests turkey and noodles on a regular basis. This recipe is one of my tried and true repeat favorites that I’ve converted for the Instant Pot. The kids love it because it has creamy, tender noodles and juicy bites of turkey. I love it because I can throw it together and have a dinner that tastes like it took all day to cook, but it’s done in under 30 minutes.

This is my favorite instant pot recipe and the first one you’ll find here on AHB. I am ashamed to admit I got my Instant Pot last year for Christmas and then I let it sit in the box for months until we got completely moved and settled into our new house. I’m not going to wax poetic for paragraphs on this thing. I’ll simply tell you the hype is real. If you are a busy mom who often forgets to plan ahead for meals, an instant pot will be your new best friend. Have an instant pot, but unsure where to start? Here’s a great guide for beginners.

The beauty of this recipe is just how quick and easy it is to make homestyle creamy turkey and noodles.

The holidays have come and gone, and now you’re left with a fridge full of turkey leftovers. While turkey sandwiches and soup are great options, why not try something new – turkey and noodles! This comforting, creamy pasta dish is easy to make, budget-friendly, and a tasty way to use up leftover turkey.

An Easy Weeknight Meal

Turkey and noodles is an excellent quick weeknight dinner. From start to finish, it takes about 30 minutes to make. First, boil the noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, sauté some aromatics like onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in butter or olive oil. Next, stir in the chopped or shredded leftover turkey, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, seasonings, and cooked noodles. Let it all simmer together for a few minutes until thickened and heated through.

The ingredients are simple pantry staples you likely have on hand. And you can customize it to your taste by adding mushrooms peas cheese, or herbs. Turkey and noodles is also budget-friendly, as you’re repurposing leftovers into a whole new dish.

Tips for the Best Flavor

Follow these tips for maximum flavor in your turkey and noodles

Use a combination of white and dark turkey meat The dark meat has more fat and flavor
Cook the onions, carrots, and celery until softened and browned for sweetness.
Smash the garlic before sautéing to release the oils and make it aromatic.
Sprinkle in flour after cooking the veggies to help thicken the sauce.
Use chicken broth and cream of chicken soup for a rich, creamy base.
Simmer the noodles in the sauce so they soak up all the flavor.
Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage.
Season well with salt, pepper, parsley, and poultry seasoning.
Garnish with shredded cheese, snipped chives, or crushed crackers.

Make-Ahead Friendly

One of the best things about turkey and noodles is that you can prep it in advance. Cook up a big batch and freeze or refrigerate leftovers for quick meals later. Here are some tips:

Let the finished turkey noodles cool completely before storing.
Portion it out into individual containers or zip-top bags. This allows for easy reheating.
Refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or broth if needed.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
For the best texture, reheat in a saucepan with a little liquid rather than the microwave.

More Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey

Creative ways to enjoy leftover holiday turkey extend way beyond just turkey and noodles! Here are some other delicious options:

Turkey Pot Pie – Make a comforting casserole by baking turkey with veggies in a homemade crust.
Turkey Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with turkey, cheese, beans, and enchilada sauce for a Tex-Mex dish.
Turkey Salad Sandwiches – Shred turkey and mix with mayo, celery, grapes, and nuts for sandwiches.
Turkey Tetrazzini – A creamy turkey casserole made with mushrooms, spaghetti, and a parmesan cheese sauce.
Turkey Soup – Simmer turkey with veggies, beans, pasta, or rice in broth for a hearty soup.
Turkey Hash – Sauté turkey with potatoes, peppers, onions, and spices for a filling breakfast hash.
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie – Layer leftover turkey, veggies, and gravy in a casserole dish topped with mashed potatoes.
Turkey Tacos – Spice up shredded turkey in tacos with salsa, avocado, cheese, and crunchy toppings.

Satisfying and Nutritious

Not only is turkey and noodles easy, budget-friendly, and delicious – it’s also nutritious! Turkey provides lean protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The veggies add fiber, vitamins, and minerals. And the whole wheat noodles offer a healthy carbohydrate source.

Compared to heavy, rich casseroles, turkey noodles make a lighter but still comforting post-holiday meal. The cream of chicken soup adds plenty of flavor without needing to overload on butter, cream, or cheese.

So put those turkey leftovers to good use in a hearty, satisfying bowl of turkey noodles. The recipe easily doubles to feed a crowd or provides ready-to-go meals for your freezer. It’s sure to become a new favorite tradition after your next holiday dinner!

how to make turkey and noodles with leftover turkey

Instant Pot Turkey and NoodlesYield:

Classic creamy turkey and noodles are comfort food heaven and take less than 30 minutes to cook in the instant pot.

1.5 pounds turkey breast cutlets
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 Tablespoons butter
1 quart chicken broth
1 24 ounce bag frozen egg noodles, such as Reames
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Add the turkey cutlets to the instant pot. Spread the soup over the top of the cutlets. Add the remaining ingredients to the instant pot.
Place the lid on the instant pot, making sure the valve is closed. Cook for 20 minutes on the Manual setting.
Do a quick steam release. Remove the turkey cutlets and shred. Stir the shredded turkey into the noodles and serve.

Turkey Noodle Casserole Recipe – Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Special

FAQ

How long is leftover turkey good for?

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What to do with over cooked turkey?

Place your carved meat in a shallow baking dish and cover it with stock. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in low oven, somewhere around 250 degrees, for 5-10 minutes. The dryness won’t be entirely gone after this short broth bath, but the turkey will definitely be more moist than before.

What can I do with leftover turkey fat?

Left over pan drippings from your roast turkey can be poured off into a separate container and used later to flavour a host of dishes such as soups, stews and mashed potatoes. You can freeze them in ice cube size quantities and store them for months, adding a few to a casserole to lift the flavour.