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Turkey and Rice Casserole With Gravy

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Turkey and rice casserole is a perfect way to use leftover turkey, or roast a turkey just to make this casserole. The original recipe was sized to feed 50 people and that recipe is included below but we have also sized it for a single casserole. The simple gravy makes this homestyle meal extra tasty.

Spooning mushroom gravy over turkey and rice casserole on plate with roasted squash.

There is just something comforting about a great casserole. This turkey and rice bake tastes a lot like Thanksgiving with the rice, bread and turkey. Add a drizzle of the gravy to make this comfort food dinner even better.

About the Recipe

I have been going through my grandma’s recipe boxes. It is really fun to dig through the handwritten recipe cards and yellowed newspaper clippings.

Ingredients: turkey, rice, milk, eggs, celery, bread and stock ready to be made into casserole.

Some of the cards are in her own handwriting and others were given to her by friends. You can tell the ones that go used a lot because there are splatters, so you know those recipes are extra good.

In my great adventure, I stumbled upon the recipe card for this turkey and rice casserole. That’s when I remembered MiMi made it several years back and shared it with us.

We had a massive Christmas baking day with my cousins and aunts, so she made the full recipe sized to feed 50 to feed our whole crew.

This recipe has always been special to her because it was served at her bridal shower. So I wanted to make it again, and this time size it down to one casserole dish appropriate for feeding a family with a little bit leftover.

Don’t worry, the recipe for feeding 50 is still down below. This would be a perfect way to feed a large crew around the holidays, during harvest time, or any time you need to feed a bunch of hungry people.

What MiMi Had to Say About the Recipe

Pops and I got married in November 28, 1981.  His side of the family hosted a bridal shower for me and made this very casserole.  

I don’t believe I have had it since, but think of it often.  Everybody really enjoyed it.  I enjoyed it enough to still remember it all of these years later.

Ladeling mushroom gravy over turkey casserole.

This first recipe that I thought that I would love to share when Carlee started her blog in January was this recipe.  We have been trying to share family favorite recipes both new and old.

The ones that are important to me are the ones that have a special memory attached to them.  We have made hamburger surprises, homemade noodles, Maw-Maw’s Velveeta lasagna, Cavanaugh’s noodles and now this.  

All of these recipes are very dear to me.  It’s been a lot of fun remaking them to share with you.

-MiMi

Hand written vintage recipe card for turkey casserole

Easy Alterations:

If you don’t like mushrooms, feel free to leave them out of the gravy. We think they are wonderful in there, but it will still be great without.

Using a rotisserie chicken would be a great option if you don’t feel like roasting a turkey. A big chicken would work for the single pan size, or pick up a few if you are making the full recipe for 50.

If you are making this dish with Thanksgiving leftovers, feel free to use a little bit of leftover dressing instead of using bread cubes.

Side Dish Ideas:

Savory slow cooker green beans is a great side dish option for this casserole. You can easily size the recipe up if you are feeding all 50 people or keep it as is for feeding your family.

Honey roasted delicata squash with cranberries would be another wonderful option. It is loaded with flavor and would add a lot of flavor and nutrition to the meal.

Roasted brussels sprouts make a great side dish as well. Get your greens in a cute little tasty package.

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

Scaled Down Recipe (Full Sized Recipe Below)

Spooning mushroom gravy over turkey and rice casserole on plate with roasted squash.

Turkey Casserole with Rice

Carlee
This yummy casserole is full of turkey. It is homey and delicious. It goes perfectly with a spoonful of gravy.
5 from 4 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dinners
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients
 

Casseroles

  • 7 cups cooked and chopped turkey
  • ¾ cup Ben’s Original rice or any converted rice
  • ¼ cup diced pimento
  • 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.
    5 slices sandwich bread
  • Mix all casserole ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Spread in a greased 9×13" casserole dish.
    7 cups cooked and chopped turkey, ¾ cup Ben’s Original 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
  • 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. 
    2⅔ cups chicken broth, 8 teaspoons cornstarch, 4 oz can mushrooms, Kitchen bouquet to flavor
  • 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

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 27gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 715mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g
Loved this recipe?Please consider rating it and saving on Pinterest.

Turkey Casserole for 50 People

Spooning mushroom gravy over turkey and rice casserole on plate with roasted squash.

Turkey Casserole with Rice for 50 People

Carlee
This yummy casserole is full of turkey. It is homey and delicious. It goes perfectly with a spoonful of gravy. The best part? It feeds 50 people!
5 from 4 ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Poultry
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients
 

Casseroles

  • 25 pound turkey cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 pound Uncle Ben’s rice
  • 6 ounce diced pimentos
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 quarts chicken broth
  • 1 quart milk
  • 8 eggs beaten
  • 1 pound loaf of bread cut into small cubes

Gravy

  • 2 quarts chicken broth it’s even better if you use some pan drippings as part of this
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 cans of mushrooms
  • Kitchen bouquet to flavor or use 1 tsp sage, onion powder and thyme. I used a little less sage than suggested because some people in my family don’t like the flavor it adds.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. 
  • Mix all ingredients together and divide among 3 greased 9×13″ pans. 
    25 pound turkey, 1 pound Uncle Ben’s rice, 6 ounce diced pimentos, 1 cup chopped celery, 1½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 quarts chicken broth, 1 quart milk, 8 eggs, 1 pound loaf of bread
  • Bake for about an hour.
  • Cut into squares and serve with the gravy on top.
  • 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. 
    2 quarts chicken broth, ½ cup cornstarch, 2 cans of mushrooms, Kitchen bouquet to flavor

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

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 27gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 715mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g
Loved this recipe?Please consider rating it and saving on Pinterest.

Please share

Recipe Rating




Fran Farr

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

Hi Carlee, Do you think this is a good recipe to make ahead and freeze? Do you cook the rice ahead of time?

I am cooking for a retreat of teenagers. Do you have experience with teenagers reactions to this dish? It looks wonderful. My family would love it, however we are all older now.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Fran

Carlee

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

@Fran Farr, we ate it growing up, so I don't see why teenagers wouldn't love it. You put the rice in uncooked and it cooks in the broth and milk. I don't see why you couldn't freeze it. Just be sure to give it lots of time to defrost so you don't end up with raw rice in the middle. I hope everyone love it. Now I want to make a batch myself!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Saturday 5th of November 2016

Looks like a wonderful pot luck recipe for using leftovers!

Carlee

Monday 7th of November 2016

It is a great way to use leftovers and still feed a crowd! Thank you!

Joanne

Saturday 5th of November 2016

Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.

Carlee

Monday 7th of November 2016

Thank you!

Beverly @Across the Blvd

Tuesday 1st of November 2016

This turkey casserole recipe looks delicious. What a great family recipe. Thanks for sharing at Thankful Thanksgiving Link Party. Pinned.

Carlee

Wednesday 2nd of November 2016

Thank you! It's one you definitely need a crowd for, but is always a hit when we make it!

Unknown

Wednesday 20th of January 2016

Wow, Carlee...what a great recipe! It sounds delicious and I'll definitely have to try it. I may have to make a smaller version of it though...LOL! Thanks For sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday...I always love to see what you link up! xoxo Lisa

Carlee

Wednesday 20th of January 2016

I suppose 3 full 9x13" pans might be a bit much for a regular dinner! It was fun to try a recipe that hold such special memories for my mom.