Comforting Turkey and Rice Casserole with Rich Gravy

There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty casserole to bring comfort to the soul and satisfaction to the plate. This exceptional Turkey and Rice Casserole stands out as a true culinary gem, offering a perfect solution for utilizing leftover holiday turkey or even inspiring you to roast a turkey specifically for this delightful dish. What began as a cherished family recipe, originally crafted to graciously feed a gathering of 50 people, has been lovingly adapted for both large crowds and intimate family dinners. The accompanying simple yet incredibly flavorful gravy elevates this homestyle meal, making it an unforgettable experience that tastes just like tradition.

Spooning rich mushroom gravy over a serving of golden-brown turkey and rice casserole, garnished with roasted squash on a rustic plate.

A truly great casserole holds a special place in our hearts, embodying warmth, nostalgia, and simple joy. This particular turkey and rice bake evokes the festive spirit of Thanksgiving, with its harmonious blend of tender turkey, fluffy rice, savory bread, and a symphony of comforting flavors. A generous drizzle of the homemade gravy transforms each bite into an even more decadent and satisfying comfort food dinner. It’s a dish that transcends seasons, offering a taste of home whenever you need it most.

A Timeless Treasure: The Story Behind This Recipe

My journey through my grandma’s old recipe boxes has been a delightful adventure, unearthing culinary history one handwritten card and yellowed newspaper clipping at a time. Each card tells a story, a testament to meals shared, laughter echoed, and love poured into every dish. You can always tell the truly beloved recipes by the splatters and worn edges on their cards – a sure sign they were prepared countless times, bringing joy to many tables. This turkey and rice casserole recipe is one such treasure, stumbled upon amidst these cherished memories.

All fresh ingredients for the turkey and rice casserole laid out: cooked turkey, uncooked rice, milk, eggs, chopped celery, cubed bread, and chicken stock.

It immediately brought back vivid memories of MiMi, who made this very casserole several years ago and generously shared it with us. It was during a massive Christmas baking day, a lively family tradition where cousins and aunts gather, creating an abundance of festive treats. MiMi, ever the gracious host, prepared the full-sized recipe, designed to feed a grand total of 50 people, ensuring our entire lively crew was wonderfully nourished and satisfied.

Close-up of a large mixing bowl filled with the combined turkey casserole mixture, ready for baking.

The turkey casserole mixture evenly spread in a baking pan, poised to go into the oven.

This particular dish holds an even deeper sentimental value for MiMi, as it was famously served at her own bridal shower. The significance of that day, combined with its deliciousness, imprinted this casserole into her memory and ours. Inspired by this rich history, I was determined to recreate it, but also to make it more accessible for everyday cooking. I scaled the recipe down to a single casserole dish, perfectly suited for feeding a family with enough delightful leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Ingredients for homemade mushroom gravy: chicken broth, cornstarch, canned mushrooms, and seasonings laid out.

A elegant gravy boat filled with rich, savory mushroom gravy, ready to be served.

But fear not, for those grand occasions when only a feast will do, the original, full recipe for feeding 50 remains readily available below. This substantial version is an ideal choice for holiday gatherings, harvest dinners, church potlucks, or any event where you need to satisfy a large number of hungry guests with a truly comforting and memorable meal. It’s a testament to the enduring power of a good recipe, scaled to fit any occasion.

MiMi’s Fond Reflections: The Casserole’s Enduring Legacy

MiMi herself recounts the significance of this casserole: “Pops and I exchanged vows on November 28, 1981. His side of the family hosted a beautiful bridal shower for me, and it was at this very celebration that they served this wonderful casserole. I honestly don’t believe I’ve had it since that day, but the memory of it has stayed with me, surfacing often over the years. Everyone at the shower thoroughly enjoyed it, and I enjoyed it enough to still recall it with such fondness all these decades later.”

A hand ladling thick mushroom gravy generously over a portion of turkey casserole, highlighting its rich texture.

She continued, “When Carlee first embarked on her blog journey in January, this was the very first recipe I felt compelled to share. Our aim has always been to bring forward family favorite recipes, both new culinary creations and cherished old traditions. For me, the most important ones are those deeply intertwined with special memories. We’ve already shared beloved dishes like Maw-Maw’s Hamburger Surprise, Great-Grandma McCallum’s Homemade Noodles, Maw-Maw’s Velveeta Lasagna, and Cavanaugh’s Noodles, and now, this iconic turkey and rice casserole joins the collection. Every single one of these recipes holds immense sentimental value for me. It’s been an absolute joy to remake them and share these pieces of our family history and love with all of you.”

-MiMi

A vintage, handwritten recipe card for turkey casserole, showing the authentic charm of a passed-down family recipe.

Flavorful Variations and Practical Alterations

This turkey and rice casserole is wonderfully adaptable, allowing for easy substitutions to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make it your own! If mushrooms aren’t your preference, feel completely free to omit them from the gravy. While we find they add a fantastic earthy depth, the gravy will still be incredibly rich and delicious without them.

For those times when roasting a full turkey feels like too much effort, or you simply don’t have leftover turkey, a store-bought rotisserie chicken makes an excellent and convenient substitute. A single large rotisserie chicken should provide enough meat for the scaled-down, family-sized casserole. If you’re preparing the full recipe for 50 people, you’ll want to pick up a few to ensure you have an ample supply of tender, cooked chicken.

Additionally, if you’re making this casserole using Thanksgiving leftovers, here’s a smart tip: instead of using plain bread cubes, incorporate a little bit of leftover dressing or stuffing. This clever swap will infuse your casserole with even more traditional holiday flavor and wonderful texture, making it an even more nostalgic and satisfying dish.

Perfect Pairings: Complementary Side Dish Ideas

Every great casserole deserves equally delicious side dishes to complete the meal. Here are some fantastic options that perfectly complement the rich flavors of this turkey and rice bake:

Savory Slow Cooker Green Beans: These tender, flavorful green beans are an excellent choice for a hearty side. The slow cooker method makes them incredibly easy to prepare, freeing up oven space, which is especially handy if you’re making the large-batch casserole. They offer a fresh, vibrant contrast to the creamy casserole.
Honey Roasted Delicata Squash with Cranberries: For a touch of sweetness and beautiful color, this side is a winner. The delicate flavor of the roasted squash, paired with tart cranberries, adds a sophisticated and nutritious element to your meal, creating a lovely balance of flavors and textures.
Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts: If you’re looking for another green vegetable option, roasted Brussels sprouts are a fantastic choice. Their slightly nutty, caramelized flavor provides a wonderful counterpoint to the casserole. They are not only delicious but also a great way to incorporate more wholesome greens into your dinner.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

Scaled-Down Turkey and Rice Casserole (Family Size)

A dish of turkey and rice casserole with a scoop removed, topped generously with mushroom gravy.

5 from 4 ratings

Turkey Casserole with Rice

Author:
Carlee

Servings:
12 Servings

This yummy casserole is full of turkey. It is homey and delicious. It goes perfectly with a spoonful of gravy.

Rate

Prep:
15 mins

Cook:
1 hr

Total:
1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

Casserole

7 cups cooked and chopped turkey
¾ cup Ben’s Original rice or any converted rice
¼ cup diced pimento
⅓ cup chopped celery
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2⅔ cups chicken broth
1⅓ cups milk
3 eggs beaten
5 slices sandwich bread

Gravy

2⅔ cups chicken broth
8 teaspoons cornstarch
4 oz can mushrooms
Kitchen bouquet to flavor or use ¼ tsp sage, onion powder and thyme

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut bread into squares.
Mix all casserole ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Spread in a greased 9×13″ casserole dish.
Bake for about an hour.
To make the gravy, mix the broth and starch together so you don’t get lumps. Pour into a saucepan along with the mushrooms and seasonings. Cook, stirring often until it is the consistency of gravy.
Cut casserole into squares and serve with the gravy on top.

Notes

This recipe was written using converted rice. To use standard long grain rice, tightly wrap the casserole dish with aluminum foil and add 10-15 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition Information

“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Grand Gathering Feast: Turkey Casserole for 50 People

A large turkey and rice casserole serving, perfectly portioned for a big event.