Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Are you looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to make and uses leftover turkey? Look no further than this Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole! It’s a hearty dish packed with tender turkey, fluffy rice, a creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy topping. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, potluck, or even a holiday gathering, this casserole is guaranteed to be a hit. This recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to adapt it to your liking by adding different vegetables, cheeses, or spices. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftovers and create a delicious, satisfying meal.

## Why You’ll Love This Turkey Rice Casserole

* **Comfort Food Classic:** This casserole embodies the essence of comfort food – warm, cheesy, and satisfying.
* **Uses Leftover Turkey:** A brilliant way to transform leftover Thanksgiving or holiday turkey into a brand-new, exciting dish.
* **Easy to Make:** With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this casserole is a breeze to prepare.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
* **Versatile and Customizable:** Easily adaptable to your preferences and dietary needs.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Cooked Turkey:** 3-4 cups, shredded or diced. Using leftover turkey is ideal, but you can also use cooked turkey breast from the deli.
* **Cooked Rice:** 2 cups, cooked according to package directions. Long-grain, medium-grain, or even brown rice will work well.
* **Cream of Mushroom Soup:** 1 (10.75 ounce) can. This forms the base of the creamy sauce. You can substitute cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup if preferred.
* **Milk:** 1/2 cup. Helps to thin out the soup and create a smoother sauce.
* **Shredded Cheese:** 2 cups, divided. Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend of your favorites.
* **Onion:** 1/2 cup, chopped. Adds flavor and depth to the casserole.
* **Celery:** 1/2 cup, chopped. Provides a subtle crunch and aromatic flavor.
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons. Used to sauté the onion and celery.
* **Bread Crumbs:** 1/2 cup. Creates a crispy topping.
* **Melted Butter:** 2 tablespoons. Mixed with the bread crumbs to create a golden-brown topping.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Seasoning is key to bringing out the flavors of the casserole.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Frozen peas, carrots, green beans, corn, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole:

**1. Prepare the Vegetables:**

* In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and celery to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. This step helps to release the flavors of the vegetables and prevents them from being crunchy in the finished casserole.

**2. Make the Cheese Sauce:**

* In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Whisk until smooth.
* Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese to the soup mixture and stir until melted and well combined. This creates the creamy, cheesy base for the casserole. You can gently heat the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds intervals, stirring between each, to speed up the melting process, but be careful not to overheat it.
* Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the soup and cheese already contain salt, so start with a small amount and add more as needed.

**3. Combine the Ingredients:**

* Add the cooked turkey, cooked rice, and sautéed onion and celery to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Ensure that the turkey and rice are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
* If using any optional add-ins, such as frozen peas, carrots, or mushrooms, add them to the mixture now and stir to combine. These additions will add extra flavor and texture to the casserole.

**4. Assemble the Casserole:**

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the casserole from sticking to the dish.
* Pour the turkey and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

**5. Prepare the Topping:**

* In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Stir until the bread crumbs are evenly coated with butter. This will create a crispy, golden-brown topping for the casserole.
* Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
* Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the bread crumb topping. This will add an extra layer of cheesy goodness to the casserole.

**6. Bake the Casserole:**

* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the topping is golden brown and bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the casserole and adjust the time accordingly.
* Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the casserole to cool slightly.

## Tips for the Best Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole

* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will result in a more flavorful and delicious casserole.
* **Don’t Overcook the Rice:** Overcooked rice will become mushy in the casserole. Cook the rice according to package directions and avoid overcooking it.
* **Adjust the Cheese to Your Liking:** Feel free to use your favorite type of cheese in this casserole. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and mozzarella are all great options.
* **Add Vegetables for Extra Flavor and Nutrition:** Adding vegetables such as peas, carrots, or mushrooms will add extra flavor and nutrition to the casserole.
* **Make it Ahead of Time:** This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Simply bake it when you’re ready to eat.
* **Freeze for Later:** Leftover casserole can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
* **Get Creative with the Topping:** Instead of bread crumbs, try using crushed crackers, potato chips, or even fried onions for a different topping.
* **Control the Sodium:** If you are concerned about the sodium content, use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduce the amount of salt added.

## Variations and Add-ins

This Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity! Here are some ideas to customize it:

* **Vegetarian Version:** Substitute the turkey with cooked lentils, beans, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
* **Spicy Kick:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Different Cheese:** Experiment with different cheeses such as Gruyere, Swiss, or pepper jack.
* **Add Herbs:** Stir in fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley for added flavor.
* **More Vegetables:** Add other vegetables like broccoli florets, cauliflower, or spinach.
* **Crushed Crackers Topping:** Substitute breadcrumbs with crushed Ritz crackers, club crackers, or even cheese crackers for a buttery and flavorful topping.
* **Fried Onion Topping:** Top the casserole with crispy fried onions for a savory and crunchy topping.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the breadcrumb topping for extra texture and flavor.

## Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to round out your meal:

* **Side Salad:** Serve with a fresh green salad or a simple Caesar salad.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Pair with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** A classic pairing for turkey, cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tart element to the meal.
* **Rolls or Biscuits:** Serve with warm rolls or biscuits to soak up the delicious cheese sauce.
* **Soup:** A light soup, like tomato soup or chicken noodle soup, is a great way to start the meal.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
* **Freezing:** Freeze the casserole in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Recipe Card

**Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole**

A comforting and easy casserole featuring leftover turkey, rice, and a creamy cheese sauce.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 25 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 3-4 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
* 2 cups cooked rice
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
* 1/2 cup milk
* 2 cups shredded cheese, divided
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 1/2 cup chopped celery
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup bread crumbs
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional add-ins: frozen peas, carrots, green beans, corn, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and sauté until softened.
3. In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup and milk. Whisk until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese and stir until melted.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add cooked turkey, cooked rice, and sautéed onion and celery to the cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.
6. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.
8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the bread crumb topping.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the topping is golden brown and bubbly.
10. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Cheesy Turkey Rice Casserole! This is a meal that will be enjoyed and appreciated by your family and friends.