Thanksgiving leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving, but sometimes you need to give them a whole new life. That’s where this Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake with Crispy Topping comes in! Get ready to transform your leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberries into the ultimate comfort food masterpiece. It’s an explosion of flavors that’ll make your taste buds do the happy dance. Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake with Crispy Topping
This dish is an absolute game-changer! Imagine your favorite mac and cheese, but with a twist – we’re packing it with all the best Thanksgiving leftovers. The creamy, cheesy base gets a serious upgrade from the savory turkey, herby stuffing, and tart cranberries. And let’s not forget the epic crispy topping that’s gonna take this thing to a whole new level of flavor explosion. This recipe is absolutely INSANE – and I’m not even sorry about it! Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy, so be prepared to share (or not).
Ingredients
For this Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake, you’ll need cooked elbow macaroni, shredded turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, milk, eggs, butter, panko breadcrumbs, and a few seasonings. The best part? You probably already have most of these ingredients in your fridge or pantry.
- 8 cups – cooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups – shredded cooked turkey
- 2 cups – prepared stuffing
- 1 cup – cranberry sauce
- 3 cups – shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses
- 1 cup – milk
- 2 – eggs
- 4 tbsp – unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup – panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
- Turkey: Rotisserie chicken or shredded beef (great way to use up leftovers!)
- Stuffing: Breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (for a gluten-free option)
How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake with Crispy Topping
We’re about to turn your kitchen into flavor paradise!
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, shredded turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, shredded cheeses, milk, and eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle the crispy topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Bake the Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake until the topping is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly, about 30-40 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Let the dish cool for a few minutes, then dig in! This is the kind of meal that’ll make your taste buds explode with flavor. We’re about to turn your kitchen into flavor paradise!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Get Creative!: Feel free to get creative with this recipe! You can swap out the turkey for shredded chicken or even ground beef. Try using different types of cheese, like pepper jack or gouda, for a flavor twist. And don’t be afraid to add in other leftover veggies, like roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes. This dish is the ultimate canvas for your culinary creativity. Life gave us ingredients – I say we make them LEGENDARY!
- Add Some Spice: For a little extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce to the mac and cheese mixture.
- Swap Out the Cranberries: If cranberry sauce isn’t your thing, you can use a different tart fruit compote, like apple or cherry, instead.
- Make it Cheesier: Want an even more decadent dish? Increase the amount of shredded cheese to 4 cups for an extra creamy and cheesy base.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: A fresh green salad, roasted veggies, or crusty bread.
Storage: Leftover Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just add the crispy topping right before baking.
Nutrition Information
This Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake is a comfort food dream come true, but it’s also packing some serious nutritional punch. With lean protein from the turkey, complex carbs from the pasta and stuffing, and a boost of vitamins and minerals from the cranberries, this dish is a well-rounded meal that’ll keep you feeling satisfied.
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 585 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 49 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of pasta?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is the classic choice, you can use any short-cut pasta you have on hand, like penne, rotini, or even shells.
Do I have to use stuffing?
Nope! If you don’t have any leftover stuffing, you can substitute breadcrumbs or crushed crackers instead.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the mac and cheese mixture a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just add the crispy topping right before baking.
How can I make this dish more budget-friendly?
To save some cash, use less expensive cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack, and substitute frozen cubed turkey for the leftovers.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
You bet! This Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake freezes beautifully. Just bake it as directed, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Try These Next
- Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Bake With Crispy Topping
- Creamy Garlic Herb Mac And Cheese With Crispy Topping
- Creamy Pumpkin Spice Mac And Cheese With Crispy Sage Topping
Thanksgiving Leftover Mac & Cheese Bake with Crispy Topping
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Mac & Cheese Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious mac and cheese bake! This dish combines creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and crispy topping for a hearty meal that’s sure to please.
Ingredients
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 2. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. 3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create a roux.
4. 4. Gradually whisk in the milk, cooking until the sauce thickens.
5. 5. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted.
6. 6. Combine the cooked macaroni, turkey, and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl.
7. 7. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
8. 8. In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and parsley; sprinkle over the macaroni mixture.
9. 9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
10. 10. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey and other fixings from your Thanksgiving dinner. Feel free to add in any other leftover vegetables you have on hand!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Thanksgiving, leftover, mac and cheese, bake