Turn leftover turkey into a cozy, creamy Leftover Turkey Lasagna baked with a rich white sauce and layers of melty cheese. It's the perfect way to transform Thanksgiving scraps into a brand-new comfort meal.
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If you're staring at a fridge full of leftover Thanksgiving turkey, this Leftover Turkey Lasagna with white sauce is the answer. Instead of another turkey sandwich, you get a warm, cheesy, ultra-comforting pan of creamy pasta that feels like a totally different meal.
The tender turkey adds delicious flavor without the heaviness of typical lasagna, and the homemade white sauce ties everything together in a silky, buttery way that feels special.
This might be the best turkey lasagna recipe for busy weeknights because it reheats beautifully, uses pantry staples, and tastes even better the next day. Plus, frozen spinach adds a budget-friendly veggie boost, and it's easy to customize with mushrooms, broccoli, or whatever you have on hand.
If you love cozy pasta dishes like this, you'll also enjoy my Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Mushroom Garlic Spaghetti for more frugal comfort classics.
Jump to:
- 💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🛒 Ingredients
- 🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- 🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
- 💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
- 🥄 Instructions for Leftover Turkey Lasagna
- 👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- ❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
- 🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
- ❓ Leftover Turkey Lasagna FAQs
- 🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A Fresh Take on Leftovers. It turns leftover turkey into a whole new dinner that doesn't taste like leftovers.
- Light, Creamy Comfort. The creamy white sauce keeps everything rich and comforting without being heavy.
- Freezer- & Budget-Friendly. It's freezer-friendly, budget-friendly, kid-friendly… basically the full trifecta.
🛒 Ingredients
- Cooked Turkey - Adds protein and a mild flavor that absorbs the creamy white sauce beautifully.
- Frozen Spinach - Affordable, easy, and adds color + nutrients without overpowering flavor.
- Lasagna Noodles - Creates those cozy, layered bites; oven-ready makes prep quicker.
- Milk - Creates a creamy, luscious white sauce.
- Parmesan & Mozzarella - Add melty, salty richness and create that iconic gooey top.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Turkey: You can use leftover chicken instead and the flavor will still be amazing. Rotisserie chicken works too and keeps things just as easy.
Spinach: Swap for sautéed mushrooms, chopped broccoli, or kale if that's what you have. All give great texture and help stretch the filling.
White Sauce: Lighten it by using half broth + half milk. Or enrich it by stirring in cream cheese for extra thickness.
Mozzarella: Any melty cheese works, Monterey Jack, provolone, or a pizza blend give delicious flavor.
Lasagna Noodles: Oven-ready or boiled both work. You can even use leftover cooked spaghetti in layers for a fun "spaghetti lasagna."
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Boost the flavor with sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic, sundried tomatoes, or cooked bacon. All enhance the creaminess and make the lasagna feel more gourmet without adding much cost.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Reduce the turkey: Use 1 cup turkey and bulk up the filling with extra spinach, onions, or mushrooms.
Stretch the sauce: Replace ½ cup milk with broth to save money and still get a creamy texture.
Use seasonal veggies: Frozen spinach, broccoli, and onions are all low-cost year-round and add volume.
🥄 Instructions for Leftover Turkey Lasagna
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until al dente according to package directions. (Image 1)
Step 2: Heat oil or butter in a skillet. Cook the chopped onion until soft and golden (Image 2), then stir in the turkey and spinach. Warm everything through, season lightly. Set aside. (Image 3)
Step 3: Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour to form a smooth roux. (Image 4)
Step 4: Slowly whisk in the milk to avoid lumps. (Image 5) Simmer until thick and creamy, then season. (Image 6) Stir in the Parmesan. (Images 7 & 8)
Step 5: Spread a thin layer of white sauce in the bottom of your baking dish. (Image 9) Layer noodles, turkey filling, sauce, and cheeses. (Image 10) Repeat until the dish is nearly full, finishing with noodles and sauce. (Image 11)
Step 6: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes. Uncover, add the final cheese layer, and bake or broil until bubbly and golden. (Image 12)
Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the layers can set.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Let it Rest. Cutting too soon makes the layers slide apart, so give it time to set.
- Fix Thick Sauce Quickly. If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it.
- Drain Spinach Well. Excess moisture can prevent the lasagna from setting properly.
- Use a Sheet Pan. Place your dish on a baking sheet to catch any cheesy drips.
- Sauce Generously. Oven-ready noodles soak up moisture, so make sure each layer has plenty of sauce.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store tightly covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Warm slices in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes or microwave in 30-second bursts. Add a splash of milk if it looks dry.
Make Ahead: Assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if cold from the fridge. You can also freeze unbaked or baked portions for up to 3 months.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This Leftover Turkey Lasagna pairs perfectly with Texas Toast Garlic Bread or quick Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread. Add freshness with a crisp Iceberg Salad, or keep it veggie-forward with Cast Iron Green Beans. For extra comfort, serve it alongside creamy Cream Cheese Alfredo Penne.
- Air Fryer Frozen Garlic BreadRecipe $2.24 / Serving $0.28
- Iceberg SaladRecipe $5.00 / Serving $0.83
- Cast Iron Green BeansRecipe $2.34 / Serving $0.39
- Alfredo Sauce With Cream CheeseRecipe $3.41 / Serving $0.28
❓ Leftover Turkey Lasagna FAQs
Yes! Freeze before or after baking. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Totally, just replace it with mushrooms, broccoli, or more onions. Or omit completely.
No, but it's what makes this a creamy leftover turkey lasagna. Alfredo or cream-of-chicken sauce also works.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Leftover Turkey EnchiladasRecipe $6.86 / Serving $1.72
- Creamy Turkey Wild Rice SoupRecipe $8.76 / Serving $1.10
- Creamy Turkey Dumpling SoupRecipe $4.47 / Serving $0.75
- Leftover Turkey Fried RiceRecipe $3.25 / Serving $0.54
🐝 If you tried this Leftover Turkey Lasagna, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Leftover Turkey Lasagna
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon or spatula
- Foil
Ingredients
White Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - ($0.22)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - ($0.03)
- 2 cups milk - ($0.38)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning - ($0.04)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ($0.04)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder - ($0.04)
- ½ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.02)
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg, optional - ($0.01)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded - ($0.50)
Lasagna Filling
- Lasagna noodles, oven-ready or cooked - ($1.20)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter - ($0.05)
- 1 medium onion, chopped - ($0.48)
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded - ($0.00)
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry - ($0.30)
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded - ($1.44)
- ¼-½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded - ($0.75)
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions if not using oven-ready noodles. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the filling. Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion until soft. Stir in the turkey and spinach and warm through. Set aside.
- Make the white sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Slowly whisk in the milk and simmer until thickened. Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan.
- Assemble. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer noodles, turkey filling, sauce, and cheeses. Repeat layers, finishing with noodles and sauce.
- Bake. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake or broil until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Rest and serve. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Turkey. Light meat, dark meat, or a mix all work. Shred finely for even layers.
- Spinach. Thaw completely and squeeze dry to prevent excess moisture.
- Make ahead. Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add 10 to 15 minutes to bake time if cold.
- Freezing. Freeze before or after baking. Thaw overnight and reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
- Add-ins. Mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or extra spinach can be added to bulk it up.
Nutritional Information
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Nicole Durham says
We love the comforting flavors and lighter taste this lasagna brings to the table. Perfect for a cozy Fall dinner.