Magical 20-Minute Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish Your Family Will Devour

Author: Carry

Published: November 2, 2025

You know that post-Thanksgiving fridge chaos—the jumble of half-empty dishes, the Tupperware towers threatening to topple? That’s where my love affair with Thanksgiving leftover hotdish began. One groggy Black Friday morning, I stared at the remains of our feast and thought, “There’s got to be a better way than endless turkey sandwiches.” This hotdish is my answer: a cozy, throw-it-all-together miracle that transforms those bits and bobs into something even better than the original meal. It’s the ultimate comfort food hack—minimal effort, maximum reward. Trust me, after one bite of those crispy-edged layers, you’ll never look at leftovers the same way again.

Thanksgiving leftover hotdish - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish

This isn’t just another leftovers recipe—it’s your new Black Friday tradition. Here’s why it’s magic:

Zero stress: No measuring madness—just layer what you’ve got
Comfort in every bite: All your favorite Thanksgiving flavors cozy up together
Crispy-chewy perfection: That golden top? Pure heaven
Fridge freedom: Clears out leftovers in one glorious swoop
Kid-approved: Even picky eaters gobble it up

When that post-turkey laziness hits, this hotdish is your best friend. I promise.

Ingredients for Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish

Here’s the beautiful part—you probably have most of this already sitting in your fridge! The exact amounts don’t need to be perfect (it’s leftovers, after all), but these proportions give you that ideal balance of creamy, savory, and crispy:

2 cups cooked turkey – shredded or chopped (dark meat works especially well here)
2 cups mashed potatoes – cold straight from the fridge is fine
1 cup stuffing – if it’s dried out, sprinkle with 1 tbsp broth first
1 cup gravy – any kind, though that herby turkey gravy is magic
1 cup green beans – or whatever veg you’ve got (brussels sprouts? Yes please!)
1/2 cup cranberry sauce – the tartness cuts through all the richness
1/2 cup shredded cheese – optional, but cheddar or gruyère take it next-level

See? No fancy ingredients—just Thanksgiving’s greatest hits ready for their encore performance.

How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish

Alright, let’s turn that fridge chaos into comfort! This is the easiest “cooking” you’ll do all year—more like assembling Thanksgiving’s greatest hits. Here’s how we do it:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). No need to wait for it to fully heat before starting—we’re rebels like that.
Grab a 9×13 baking dish or whatever deep casserole dish you’ve got. No greasing needed (the gravy’s got this).
Layer like you mean it: Follow the stacking order below—it’s key for texture perfection.
Pop it in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until it’s bubbling at the edges like a savory volcano.
Let it rest 5 minutes before serving—I know it’s hard to wait, but this prevents lava-hot gravy burns!

Layering the Hotdish

The secret is in the strata! Here’s your flavor blueprint from bottom to top:

Mashed potatoes: Smear them across the bottom like edible cement—about 1/2 inch thick.
Turkey: Scatter it evenly over the potatoes—no need to press down.
Stuffing: Crumble it over the turkey for maximum crispy bits exposure.
Gravy: Drizzle it like you’re Jackson Pollock making edible art.
Veggies & cranberry sauce: Dot them across the top for pops of color and tang.
Cheese (if using): The final glitter on our Thanksgiving disco ball.

Baking Tips

Watch for these signs of hotdish nirvana:

Bubbles should dance around the edges at the 25-minute mark—that’s your cue.
The top should be golden with crispy stuffing peaks (the best part!).
Pro tip: If your cheese isn’t browned enough, broil for 1-2 minutes—but don’t blink or it’ll burn!
No thermometer needed: When it smells like Thanksgiving round two, it’s done.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this hotdish? It’s basically a “no rules” zone! Here’s how I’ve riffed on it over the years:

Turkey alternatives: Rotisserie chicken works in a pinch, or go vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms
Stuffing swap: No stuffing? Toss cubed bread with herbs and butter—it’ll crisp up beautifully
Gravy hack: Out of gravy? Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 cup broth for a quick fix
Veggie freedom: Sweet potatoes instead of mashed? Roasted squash? Leftover creamed spinach? Yes, yes, and yes!
Cheese options: Try pepper jack for spice or goat cheese for tang—both are game-changers

My motto? If it survived Thanksgiving dinner, it belongs in this hotdish. Trust your fridge and your tastebuds!

Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish

This hotdish shines all on its own, but here’s how I love to dress it up:

Crisp green salad: The freshness cuts through the richness perfectly
Extra gravy boat: Because can you ever really have enough?
Pickled veggies: That tangy crunch is the yin to the hotdish’s yang
Dinner rolls: For mopping up every last delicious bit

And honestly? Cold cranberry sauce straight from the jar makes an excellent sidekick—no shame in my game!

Storing and Reheating Your Hotdish

Here’s the best part—this hotdish might actually taste better the next day! If by some miracle you have leftovers (unlikely, but it happens), here’s how to keep the magic alive:

Fridge life: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days—the flavors cozy up even more overnight
Freezer-friendly: Portion into meal-sized containers and freeze for up to 2 months (perfect for desperate weeknights!)
Reheating: Microwave single servings for 2-3 minutes, or pop the whole dish back in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes
Pro tip: Add a splash of broth before reheating to keep it moist—gravy tends to soak in when chilled

I’ve been known to stash a mini version in my freezer just for myself—Black Friday comfort on demand!

Thanksgiving Leftover Hotdish Nutrition Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in each comforting serving (based on the standard recipe): roughly 320 calories, 18g protein, and all those cozy Thanksgiving flavors you love. Keep in mind—these numbers might shift depending on your exact leftovers (extra gravy? More cheese? No judgment here!). It’s holiday food, not health food, and that’s exactly why we adore it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here’s what people ask most about this Thanksgiving leftover hotdish:

Can I freeze this hotdish? Absolutely! Portion it into meal-sized containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What if I don’t have stuffing? No problem! Toss cubed bread with herbs and butter—it’ll crisp up just as nicely. Or skip it entirely and add extra mashed potatoes.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of turkey? Totally! Rotisserie chicken works great here. Heck, even leftover ham is delicious in this hotdish.
What if my gravy is gone? Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 cup broth, simmer until thickened, and voilà—instant gravy hack!
Can I make this ahead of time? You bet! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

Still stumped? Don’t worry—this hotdish is as forgiving as it is delicious. Trust your instincts and enjoy!

Share Your Thoughts

Did this hotdish save your post-Thanksgiving sanity like it did mine? I’d love to hear your twists on it! Drop a comment below or rate the recipe—your kitchen stories make my day.