Leftover Thanksgiving leftovers Cottage Pie is an all time favorite for us because it’s the whole Thanksgiving dinner in one awesome warm casserole. Cottage pie is a celebration of all of our favorite Thanksgiving comfort dishes in a “pie” and a great way to eat your Thanksgiving leftovers. This turkey cottage pie is a fantastic casserole using leftovers from Thanksgiving and nothing goes to waste!

Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherds Pie Recipe in a casserole

Cottage Pie vs Shepherds Pie?

Traditionally Shepherds pie uses ground lamb and sometimes ground beef. We originally called this recipe a shepherds pie but got reminded that we were wrong. Ok! So we realized this recipe is more of a cottage pie because it doesn’t use the traditional ground lamb meat.  But if you’re still fixated on this not being a cottage pie, then consider it a everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-leftover-thanksgiving-bake. What ever you decide to call it, we call it DELICIOUS!

Leftover Thanksgiving Cottage Pie

It’s hard to pass up this dish because it’s topped with mashed potatoes and baked until everything is warmed and combined into one complete delicious goodness. This turkey cottage pie recipe has veggies, meats, gravy and potatoes. So it’s the perfect opportunity to take all our Thanksgiving leftovers into a cottage pie version because Thanksgiving has all those delicious components! Share it with family and friends and enjoy. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to just be one day of feasting! This is the dish that keeps on giving. Click here for all of our great Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes and Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes.

Video: Watch how Leftover Thanksgiving Cottage Pie is made!

Add Leftover Gravy to Cottage Pie

Thanksgiving and Holidays is always about the gravy and this cottage pie definitely is better with it. You can add some to the filling to make it more saucy. But we love adding more on top during serving. Having the rich gravy on top adds so much more flavor and decadence. Make an extra batch of gravy because you’ll love pouring this over this casserole.

Can you freeze this recipe?

You can freeze leftovers and they still taste great! If you made a big batch and more leftovers, then freeze them small batches. By doing this, they will thaw a little quicker. Or you can leave it in the fridge overnight to get a head start on thawing. They are even better later, especially when you’re craving leftovers. But also beware because when mashed potato thaws, it can often get a little dry and mushy.

Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherds Pie Recipe in a casserole
Thanksgiving Leftover Shepherds Pie Recipe | @bestrecipebox

Leftover Thanksgiving Cottage Pie

If the leftover ingredients are cold and straight from the fridge, they might be a little firm to spread and pour. Microwave them a bit to loosen up the texture. This will also help reduce the cooking time if the ingredients were layered warm.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups (480 ml) leftover stuffing , approximately
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) leftover turkey , cubed or cut in small pieces
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) leftover veggies , ham or anything but the pie, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup (240 ml) leftover gravy , or more if you like!
  • 3-4 cups (720-960 ml) of leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) butter , cut into 1/2” pieces

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9” pie pan or an 8”x8” baking dish.
  • Layer stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, veggies and gravy. Spread potatoes over the casserole. Dot with the butter.
  • Bake until heated through and potatoes are golden, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly. If you want, drizzle more gravy on top! Enjoy!

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 371kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 642mg, Potassium: 489mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1415IU, Vitamin C: 10.3mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Can you make this a vegetarian cottage pie?

Sure! If you don’t have leftover turkey, then use all your other leftovers except for the pies. Sautee up some extra vegetables if you’re a little low on leftovers. And for a vegetarian gravy, try our vegan mushroom gravy recipe.

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