Chaos Thanksgiving Turkey Orzo Casserole (Printable Version)
Turkey, orzo, stuffing, and cranberry layers create a cozy, playful holiday comfort bake bursting with flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Turkey & Orzo
01 - 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
02 - 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
03 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 2 medium carrots, diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
→ Imperfect Layers
13 - 2 cups prepared stuffing (store-bought or homemade)
14 - 1 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
15 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Gruyère cheese
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Topping
17 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots; cook for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are soft.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add dry orzo to the skillet and stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast. Pour in chicken or turkey broth and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until the orzo is just al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Gently fold shredded or chopped turkey into the orzo mixture.
06 - Transfer half the turkey-orzo mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Evenly scatter half of the stuffing over top, then dollop and swirl half the cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella (or Gruyère) and Parmesan cheeses.
07 - Add remaining turkey-orzo mixture, top with the rest of the stuffing, swirl on remaining cranberry sauce, and finish with the remaining cheeses. Let the layers overlap and mingle for a rustic effect.
08 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top layer.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until casserole is bubbling and golden. For extra browning, broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end.
10 - Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Easy to prep with holiday leftovers and pantry staples
- Full of comforting textures and festive flavors in every spoonful
- Flexible enough for make-ahead and creative with swaps to use what you have
- Crowd-pleasing family dish perfect for chilly nights or casual gatherings
02 -
- Excellent way to transform leftovers into a vibrant main dish
- High in protein and veggies for a hearty meal
- Easy to freeze or prep ahead for busy weeks
03 -
- Let the casserole rest before cutting so layers do not slide apart
- Toast your panko breadcrumbs in the melted butter until lightly golden before sprinkling on top for even more crunch