Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (aka Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd’s Pie!)

Name: Creamy Turkey Shepherd's Pie (aka Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd's Pie!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter or canola oil (divided); 1/2 small onion (finely diced); 2 large carrots (peeled and finely diced (about 2 cups)); 1 stalk celery (finely diced (about 1/3-1/2 cup)); 1/2 tsp minced garlic; 1 tbsp all purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup frozen peas; 2 cups cooked chopped turkey; salt and pepper; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 3 cups mashed potatoes

written by Ashley Fehr

Facebook0 Pin0 Tweet0 Email0

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Servings 6

Jump to Recipe

This is the recipe to use up all of your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey dinner leftovers! A creamy base loaded with turkey and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes — the perfect comfort food!

creamy turkey shepherd's pie in white baking dish with potatoes carrots and parsley on the side

You know what I love? Leftovers.

They have to be the right leftovers though. Leftover pancakes? No thanks. Some people claim you can make pancakes in advance and reheat them….. and you absolutely can. I’m just not going to eat them.

Leftover soup or pizza? Can’t get enough of it.

creamy turkey shepherd's pie in white baking dish with spoon taking scoop out

And though I’ve never actually made a whole turkey, I almost want to some years, just for the leftover turkey. There are just so many things you can do with it!

So when I had made us a nice Labor Day Thanksgiving dinner (I wish I was joking #foodbloggerproblems), I found myself with leftover Turkey and mashed potatoes. So I started dreaming up ways to use them. Obviously, Shepherd’s Pie was top of the list.

overhead image of turkey shepherd's pie with spoon taking scoop out

I mean, it’s kind of brilliant, right? You can throw in pretty much everything from your holiday dinner: the turkey, the gravy, the veg, the potatoes. Stuffing? Why not! Throw it on top and crisp it up.

For my recipe below, I used precooked turkey and mashed potatoes, but I’ll include some directions to help if you’re using up leftover vegetables and gravy, too.

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin this recipe to your favorite board

Ingredients

3 tbsp butter or canola oil divided
1/2 small onion finely diced
2 large carrots peeled and finely diced (about 2 cups)
1 stalk celery finely diced (about 1/3-1/2 cup)
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups cooked chopped turkey
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
3 cups mashed potatoes

Instructions

Heat oven to 375 degrees F (*but not if you are making ahead — see notes).
In a medium oven-safe skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat (or add canola oil). Add onion, carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until tender (about 15-20 minutes). Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add one more tablespoon butter or canola oil to cooked vegetables. Add flour and stir until combined completely. Add broth, and cook and stir until broth is thickened.
Stir in peas and turkey until peas are warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add thyme.
Top with mashed potatoes and dab with remaining butter or brush with 1 tbsp canola oil. Bake for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are heated through.

Notes

*To Make Ahead: prepare the casserole completely but do not bake. Cover in plastic wrap or tin foil and refrigerate up to 1-2 days in advance, then bake as directed. You may need to add an additional 10-20 minutes baking time.
** To Use Leftover Vegetables: you get to skip ahead! Instead of having to cook the veggies all the way through, just reheat the leftover vegetables you’re using in the butter, then add the extra butter and flour, then broth, and continue on with the recipe.
*** To Use Leftover Gravy: Depending on how much you have leftover, you may want to just add it in with the turkey and peas if it’s a small amount. Or you may want to skip the extra tbsp butter, flour and broth that makes the gravy in the recipe, and simple stir in your own if you have at least 1.5 cups.

Nutrition Information

Want to save this recipe?

Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!

Tag @thereciperebel

Published on November 25, 2015 / Last updated on June 6, 2020

Facebook0 Pin0 Tweet0 Email0

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (aka Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd’s Pie!)