Turkey shepherd's pie is a perfect way to use leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and delicious gravy. For a quick and easy weeknight meal, the whole family will love it.
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Let's face it after Thanksgiving nobody feels like cooking. This meal is so easy, you just basically pile all your Thanksgiving leftovers into a dish and bake it. You can use leftover turkey from my Brined Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and my Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy. Or you might prefer my Classic Shepherd’s Pie with ground lamb or a cottage pie with lean ground beef.
why this recipe works
This is a delicious way to repurpose that holiday meal you worked so hard on. All the flavors of Thanksgiving dinner without all the work, comfort food you can even make ahead of time so it's ready to pop in the oven for a busy weeknight meal.
Ingredients for Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients notes
- Turkey: You can also use ground turkey or chicken.
- Mashed potatoes: Perfect way to use up those leftover mashed potatoes.
- Vegetables: I used carrots, celery, peas, and corn but you can add anything you like or have on hand.
- Gravy: Use your leftovers or make a fresh batch with butter, flour and chicken stock.
How to make Turkey Shepherd's Pie
- Step 1: Heat a large ovenproof skillet on medium-high heat and saute the butter and veggies just until soft.
- Step 2: Add the turkey, frozen peas, and corn to the onion mixture.
- Step 3: Pour gravy into the turkey mixture and mix.
- Step 4:Heat up leftover creamy mashed potatoes, spread an even layer over the top, and bake.
Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe tips
- You can substitute whatever veggies you have on hand, green beans are also a great choice.
- I use a 12-inch cast iron skillet but this can also be baked in a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Be sure to warm your mashed potatoes up first it makes it much easier to spread the potatoes over the filling..
- You can sprinkle a little cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes before baking.
- Place your skillet or baking dish on a baking sheet to prevent any bubbling over the top and onto the oven.
Recipe Faq's
Yes, it can be prepared the morning of or even the day before. Just prepare in a large skillet or baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just keep in mind if your using leftovers they are generally only good for 3-4 days after serving.
Of course, roasted chicken and gravy are also delicious in the recipe.
Yes, layer the turkey shepherd's pie recipe in a freezer-safe container and cover it with aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight and place it in a 350-degree oven and heat for 30-40 minutes.
This leftover turkey shepherd's pie is really versatile, you can add whatever veggies you have on hand like green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. Leftover stuffing would also be delicious.
It's really a meal all by itself, but you can certainly add a fresh crisp salad and maybe some homemade Artisan Bread.
Looking for more hearty recipes?
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Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup onion diced
- 3/4 cup carrots diced
- 3/4 cup celery diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups leftover turkey shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 2 cups gravy
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet (I use cast iron) on medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, celery, carrots salt, and pepper, and cook until soft about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute another 30 seconds.
- Add Turkey, peas, corn, thyme, rosemary, and gravy and stir.
- Heat leftover mashed potatoes until warm (they spread easier) and spread over turkey filling.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Turn the oven to broil for the last 5-8 minutes to brown the top.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve.
The directions for that are above the recipe in the post!
Can you freeze?
Yay Bob! So happy everyone loved it 🙂
We made this last night. It was perfect for the left overs. Will make for the Chirstmas dinner left overs also. Thank you
Woohoo, Tiffany so happy you loved it 🙂
This was the perfect recipe to use up leftovers from Thanksgiving!! Thanks so much for sharing this, it was fantastic!