Moist Maker Pasta Casserole (Printable)

Baked pasta layered with turkey, cheeses, and gravy for a flavorful, moist family meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne or rigatoni
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Gravy Layer

03 - 1¼ cups turkey or chicken gravy, homemade or store-bought
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Turkey & Cheese

05 - 14 oz cooked turkey breast, shredded or chopped
06 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
07 - 3.5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
08 - ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

09 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - ½ tsp black pepper
15 - ½ tsp salt, adjust to taste

→ Sauce

16 - 1 cup whole milk
17 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in butter until melted. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, onion sauce, turkey, peas if using, and half of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
06 - Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
07 - Pour the turkey or chicken gravy evenly over the pasta layer to soak through.
08 - Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses on top.
09 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbling.
10 - Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The gravy layer in the center keeps every bite ridiculously moist and flavorful, no dry casserole syndrome here.
  • It transforms holiday turkey into something your family will actually get excited about instead of politely tolerating.
  • You can assemble it in the morning, refrigerate it, and bake it when everyone gets home hungry and impatient.
  • Three kinds of cheese create a golden, bubbly top that crackles just enough to make you forget your manners.
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by a full minute, it continues cooking in the oven and you do not want mush.
  • Warm the gravy slightly before pouring it over the middle layer so it spreads easily and doesn't cool down the casserole.
  • If you skip the resting time after baking, the whole thing will slide apart on the plate and look like a delicious disaster.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from a block, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
  • Use homemade gravy if you have it, the flavor difference is noticeable and worth the extra effort.
  • If the top is browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
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