Turkey Strata (Casserole) – Uses Left-Over Turkey and Stuffing

This is so delicious – and so easy  !!  (My photos do NOT do it justice.)

While working on this post, I’m enjoying a good-sized portion of this delicious Turkey Strata! I gotta say – it’s yummy!! Since the Turkey Strata can already be in the oven when your guests arrive, you’ll have time to clean up your kitchen and meet them with a smile and a glass of wine! The “clean kitchen” part would be exceptional for me… my kitchen is usually a disaster when my company arrives. But they’re used to it… and the meal is always good !

Oven at 350 F      Bake for 30 minutes      Serves 4 – 5 people     

Ingredients & Method

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 3/4 cups sliced onions
• 3 – 4 heaping cups baby spinach leaves  (Feel free to add more spinach !)
• 1/2 can mushroom soup
• 1 packet turkey gravy – (I like McCormick)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning – (I like Bell’s)
• 3 cups left-over stuffing – or prepare a packaged stuffing – (I like Stovetop Turkey)
• 3 cups cooked chicken/turkey, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/8 cup Italian-flavored breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
• paprika

In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, cook the sliced onions in the olive oil for 2 minutes. Add baby spinach and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and set aside. In a medium-sized saucepan, over medium-high heat, mix the 1/2 can of mushroom soup, the packet of turkey gravy, milk, water, parsley, poultry seasoning, salt & pepper. Whisk – or stir – until mixture comes to a boil. Lower heat and, still whisking, cook for a minute. Add the bite-sized chicken/turkey to the sauce mixture.

To assemble the Turkey Strata, use a 9′ x 9″ pan or a medium-sized casserole and begin by making a layer of HALF of the stuffing. Spoon HALF the turkey/sauce mixture on top of the stuffing. Now, make a layer of the onion/spinach mixture. (There is only one layer of the onion/spinach mixture.)

Make your final layer of stuffing, and spoon the second – and final layer – of the sauce/turkey mixture on top of the stuffing.

Sprinkle with 1/8 cup bread crumbs and 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan. For color, sprinkle on some paprika. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. The crumb topping should be slightly browned around the edges and the filling should be bubbling!       Enjoy !!