Ultimate Leftover Turkey Tamale Casserole: An Easy & Flavorful Recipe

Transform your holiday leftovers or everyday chicken into an extraordinary meal with this DELICIOUS and incredibly easy Turkey Tamale Casserole recipe. It’s a family-friendly dish that brings the comforting flavors of tamales into a convenient casserole format, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd.

One of the true joys of a big holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas is the promise of delicious leftovers. While a simple turkey sandwich is always a classic, sometimes you crave something more creative and equally comforting. This easy Turkey Tamale Casserole recipe is precisely that – a fantastic way to reinvent your leftover turkey (or even chicken!) into a vibrant, flavorful dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. And here’s a little secret: much like many casseroles, leftovers of this dish are often even tastier the next day!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Turkey Tamale Casserole

This casserole isn’t just another way to use up turkey; it’s a culinary experience in itself. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your recipe rotation:

• Incredibly Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice cooks can achieve delicious results. It takes minimal effort for maximum flavor payoff.
• Perfect for Leftovers: Whether it’s post-Thanksgiving turkey or weeknight roasted chicken, this recipe makes repurposing cooked poultry a delight. Say goodbye to food waste and hello to a new family favorite.
• Bursting with Flavor: The combination of a savory cornbread base, zesty enchilada sauce, tender turkey, melty cheese, and a hint of spice from green chilies and cumin creates a harmonious blend of Tex-Mex inspired tastes.
• Comfort Food at Its Best: There’s something inherently comforting about a warm, bubbly casserole. This tamale casserole offers that cozy, satisfying feeling with every bite.
• Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level, add more vegetables, or swap out cheeses to suit your family’s preferences. It’s a versatile dish that encourages creativity in the kitchen.
• Feeds a Crowd: A 13×9 inch casserole dish yields plenty of servings, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping for the week ahead.

The Magic of Leftover Turkey (or Chicken!)

Thanksgiving and other holiday feasts often leave us with an abundance of cooked turkey. While turkey sandwiches are a classic, this Turkey Tamale Casserole offers a more exciting and substantial way to enjoy those leftovers. The lean, savory turkey meat absorbs the rich flavors of the enchilada sauce and spices, becoming incredibly moist and flavorful within the casserole. If you don’t have leftover turkey, this recipe works beautifully with shredded cooked chicken, making it a fantastic year-round meal. Simply roast or boil some chicken breasts or thighs, shred them, and you’re good to go!

What Makes It a “Tamale” Casserole?

Traditional tamales involve a masa dough wrapped around a filling and steamed in corn husks. This casserole captures the essence of tamales by using a corn muffin mix as its base, which bakes into a tender, masa-like cornbread layer. This savory, slightly sweet cornbread is the perfect foundation for the flavorful turkey and cheese topping, infused with classic Tex-Mex ingredients like green chilies, cumin, and enchilada sauce. It’s a deconstructed, simplified version that delivers all the satisfying flavors without the intricate wrapping process.

Turkey Tamale Casserole 

5 from 2 votes

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Authur: Erica

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup shredded cheese such as Mexican blend or pepper jack, divided
• 1 8.5 oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1 cup whole kernel corn
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ⅛ tsp ground red pepper
• 1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup Enchilada Sauce
• 2 cup chopped cooked turkey meat (or substitute chicken)
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup crushed tortilla chips
• reduced fat sour cream optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• In a large bowl, Combine 1/2 cup cheese with the buttermilk, egg, cumin, salt, pepper, corn, Jiffy mix, and green chilies. Pour into a 13×9 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 20-25 minutes or until set and golden around the edges.
• Take a fork and pierce the baked cornbread all over. Pour the enchilada sauce over top. Top with the turkey and remaining cheese. Bake 10 minutes until cheese melts.
• Remove from oven and top with crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro. Serve with sour cream if desired. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Tips for Making the Best Turkey Tamale Casserole

While this recipe is incredibly simple, a few tips can elevate your Turkey Tamale Casserole from great to absolutely exceptional:

• Don’t Overmix the Cornbread: When combining the corn muffin mix ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cornbread layer, and we want it light and fluffy like masa.
• Cheese Matters: The recipe suggests Mexican blend or pepper jack. Pepper jack will add a lovely kick, while a sharp cheddar or a blend with Monterey Jack will offer a milder, creamier melt. Feel free to experiment with your favorite melting cheeses.
• Evenly Pierce the Cornbread: After the first bake, piercing the cornbread ensures that the enchilada sauce seeps down, infusing flavor throughout the base and keeping it moist. Use a fork to create numerous small holes.
• Quality Enchilada Sauce: A good quality enchilada sauce makes a big difference. You can use store-bought red or green enchilada sauce, or even make your own for an extra layer of homemade goodness.
• Cooked Turkey/Chicken: Ensure your turkey or chicken is already cooked and shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces for even distribution and optimal flavor absorption.
• Fresh Cilantro for Finish: Don’t skip the fresh cilantro! It adds a burst of freshness that brightens up the rich flavors of the casserole.

Variations & Customizations for Your Tamale Casserole

This Turkey Tamale Casserole is highly adaptable. Here are some ideas to make it uniquely yours:

• Spice It Up: For those who love heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cornbread mix, or dicing up some fresh jalapeños to mix in with the turkey and cheese layer. A dash of hot sauce on top before serving also works wonders.
• Add More Veggies: Sautéed onions, bell peppers, or black beans can be added to the turkey layer for extra texture and nutrition. A can of drained diced tomatoes (Rotel for extra spice) could also be a delicious addition.
• Different Meats: While perfect with turkey or chicken, this casserole is also fantastic with cooked ground beef, shredded pork carnitas, or even a vegetarian option using cooked lentils or a plant-based ground “meat” substitute.
• Cheese Alternatives: Experiment with different cheeses! A sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or even a mix of Monterey Jack and provolone can create unique flavor profiles.
• Cornbread Variations: If you prefer a sweeter cornbread, you can add a tablespoon or two of sugar to the Jiffy mix. For an extra moist base, try adding a can of creamed corn to the cornbread batter.
• Topping Galore: Beyond crushed tortilla chips and cilantro, consider adding sliced avocado, a dollop of fresh salsa, or finely diced red onion for extra crunch and tang.

Serving Suggestions for Your Turkey Tamale Casserole

This casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a complete and satisfying dinner. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole. You could also serve it alongside a side of black beans and rice, or some simple steamed vegetables like green beans or broccoli. Don’t forget the optional reduced-fat sour cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool, creamy finish that balances the spicy notes.

Storage and Reheating

One of the best things about casseroles is how well they store and reheat, making them perfect for meal prepping. Store any leftover Turkey Tamale Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or for a larger portion, cover loosely with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbling and hot.

This casserole also freezes well! Once cooled completely, cut into individual servings and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

~✿♥✿~

Whether you’re looking for an innovative way to use up holiday turkey or just craving a delicious and easy weeknight meal, this Turkey Tamale Casserole is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Its vibrant flavors, comforting textures, and simple preparation make it a true winner. Give it a try and enjoy the delightful taste of homemade goodness!