Moist Maker Pasta Casserole (Printer-friendly)

A baked dish featuring layered turkey, cheeses, pasta, and a rich gravy center delivering moist, flavorful results.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

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

→ Gravy Layer

03 - 1 1/4 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 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/2 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 pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Cook onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture; stir continuously for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in butter until melted and remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with 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 or spoon the gravy evenly over the pasta layer, allowing it to soak in completely.
08 - Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the gravy layer. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
09 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That gravy layer in the middle keeps every bite impossibly moist, even the next day.
  • It turns leftovers into something people actually get excited about instead of tolerate.
  • You can prep it in the morning, refrigerate it, and bake it when everyone shows up hungry.
  • Three kinds of cheese make it taste like comfort you can scoop with a spoon.
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time after baking or the casserole will be a soupy mess on the plate.
  • Use cold or room temperature gravy, not hot, or it will start cooking the pasta before it even goes in the oven.
  • If your gravy is too thick, whisk in a splash of broth or milk so it soaks in properly.
03 -
  • Mix a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the gravy before layering for a subtle tangy kick.
  • Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter on top before baking for an extra crispy crust.
  • Make two casseroles at once and freeze one unbaked for an emergency dinner later.
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