I combined leftover turkey with diced onions, minced garlic, carrots, and celery to create a hearty filling accented by peas and corn. A splash of heavy cream and turkey broth, along with thyme and rosemary, enriches the dish beneath a smooth mashed potato topping. This Leftover Turkey Shepherds Pie brings inventive flavor to your table.

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I was excited to create this Creamy Turkey Shepherds Pie from leftover Thanksgiving turkey because it gives a whole new twist to turkey dinner leftovers. I always love trying new ways to use my leftover turkey and this recipe is one of my favorites.

I start off by sautéeing a diced onion and minced garlic in butter till they are soft and fragrant, then toss in some chopped carrots and diced celery for added crunch and color. I mix in enough turkey broth and heavy cream along with a little bit of flour to get a smooth sauce that holds all the flavors together.

To this, I add in frozen peas and corn along with 2-3 cups of that tender leftover turkey. After all the savory goodness is assembled, I top it with 3 cups of mashed potatoes that have plenty of butter and milk still in them.

I really think if you love innovative ideas like leftover turkey and spinach recipes, this dish will be a hit.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because:
1. I love that it takes my leftover turkey and turns it into a warm, comforting meal.
2. I enjoy the mix of veggies and creamy mashed potatoes, which makes every bite flavorful.
3. I really appreciate how simple it is to put together, even when I’m tired after a long day.
4. I like that it brings back fun memories of Thanksgiving while giving me a tasty dinner.

This Creamy Turkey Shepherds Pie is honestly the best way to use up all your holiday leftovers. It’s got tender turkey mixed with lots of veggies and then topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes that gets a nice golden color in the oven. The process is pretty simple: you start by sautéeing onions, garlic, carrots and celery in some butter. Then you sprinkle over a bit of flour so everything gets coated before pouring in your broth and cream. After that, you toss in the turkey along with frozen peas and corn and let everything cook together so the flavors really blend. Finally, you spread mashed potatoes on top and pop the dish into the oven until the potatoes look lightly browned. It might not be a fancy dish, but it always fills me with that homestyle comfort and reminds me of good old Thanksgiving time.

Ingredients

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Leftover turkey offers lean protein and a savory, comforting bite.
Mashed potatoes deliver a creamy carbohydrate base and cozy texture.
Carrots bring crunch, essential vitamins, and a touch of natural sweetness.
Onion adds a mild bite and layers of aromatic flavor throughout.
Frozen peas and corn supply fiber, vibrant color, and extra sweetness.
Heavy cream creates a rich, smooth sauce that ties the dish together.
Garlic helps intensify the savory notes with its punchy aroma.
Herbs like thyme and rosemary boost flavor and give an herby kick.

Ingredient Quantities

2-3 cups leftover turkey, diced or shredded

1 medium onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped into small cubes

2 celery stalks, diced

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup frozen corn

1/2 cup turkey or chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons butter (for stirring the veggies)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups mashed potatoes (prepared with a bit of butter and milk)

Extra butter for dotting over the mashed potatoes if desired

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×9 baking dish by lightly greasing it.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir them for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.

3. Toss in the chopped carrots and diced celery, then continue cooking for another 4 minutes until they begin to get tender.

4. Sprinkle in 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, then stir the veggies to coat them all evenly.

5. Pour in the 1/2 cup broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens a bit.

6. Add in the turkey, frozen peas, frozen corn, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper; mix well and let it cook for 5 minutes so all the flavors blend together nicely.

7. Transfer the turkey and veggie mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

8. Dollop the 3 cups of mashed potatoes over the top, then gently spread them out to cover the filling completely. (If you want, add extra butter dots on top for extra flavor.)

9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes get a light golden color along the edges.

10. Let the dish cool for a couple minutes before serving, then dig in and enjoy your creamy turkey shepherd’s pie made from Thanksgiving leftovers!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – Make sure it’s preheated to 375°F before you start
2. 9×9 baking dish – You’ll need this, and don’t forget to lightly grease it
3. Large skillet – A must for cooking your onions, garlic and veggies
4. Measuring cups – To get the broth, heavy cream and mashed potatoes right
5. Measuring spoons – For flour and those spices like thyme and rosemary
6. Knife and cutting board – For dicing the onion, mincing garlic and chopping the carrots and celery
7. Wooden spoon or spatula – To stir everything together in the skillet
8. Mixing bowl – If you need to mix or adjust the mashed potatoes before dolloping them on your dish

FAQ

What type of turkey should I use?

You can use any leftover turkey whether its diced or shredded. The recipe works best with moist, tender turkey from Thanksgiving.

Can I swap out the frozen veggies?

Yes, you can interchange or add any frozen veg servings you prefer like green beans or corn. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly.

How do I thicken the filling if it seems watery?

Mix in an extra tablespoon of flour in case your filling is too runny. Stir it thoroughly to let the flour absorb the extra broth or cream and help thicken it up.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble it earlier and store it in the fridge for a day before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if its been kept cold.

Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (Using Thanksgiving Leftovers!) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you dont have heavy cream, you can mix about 3/4 cup whole milk with 1/4 cup melted butter to get a similar creamy texture.
Missing turkey or chicken broth? Try using vegetable broth or even water with a pinch more seasoning so it still packs flavor.
If you dont have butter for stirring the veggies, olive oil works fine and is a bit healthier too.
Instead of frozen peas you can toss in some fresh peas or even chopped green beans if thats what you have on hand.

Pro Tips

1. When you’re cooking the veggies, make sure not to rush the onion and garlic – letting them soften slowly really brings out their sweetness and adds a ton of flavor to the dish
2. When you mix in the flour, stir it in gradually so it doesn’t form lumps; this helps the sauce to thicken more evenly and gives a smoother texture overall
3. Once you spread the mashed potatoes over the turkey mixture, try dabbing extra butter on top in little dots; as it bakes the butter melts and creates a crunchy, savory crust that makes the dish even better
4. If you got the time, taste and adjust your seasoning before baking; a little extra salt and Pepper goes a long way to really bring out the flavors
5. Make sure your heavy cream and broth are at room temperature before adding them in; this makes it easier for the sauce to blend together seamlessly without seizing up, so your filling stays creamy throughout