Moist Maker Pasta Casserole (Printable)

Layered pasta and turkey baked with cheese and a flavorful gravy for a moist, hearty dinner.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne or rigatoni
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

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat the 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. Cook onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 more minute.
04 - Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in butter until melted, then remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, onion sauce, turkey, peas if using, and half of each 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 base, allowing it to saturate the layer for moisture.
08 - Add the remaining pasta mixture over the gravy. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
09 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to set layers.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The gravy layer in the middle keeps every bite impossibly moist—it's the secret that changes everything.
  • You can throw this together in under an hour and it feeds a crowd without feeling like fast food.
  • Perfect for using up holiday leftovers or roasted chicken that's been lurking in your fridge.
02 -
  • Don't skip the gravy layer in the middle—that's where the moisture magic happens, and mixing it in everywhere makes the casserole dry by comparison.
  • Cook your pasta just slightly under al dente because the baking time will tenderize it further; overcooked pasta at the start leads to mush.
  • Let it rest before cutting, or you'll end up with a beautiful mess on your plate instead of neat servings.
03 -
  • Make the milk sauce first and let it cool slightly before combining with pasta so the cheese doesn't turn stringy and weird.
  • If you're using store-bought gravy, taste it first—some brands are saltier than others, so adjust your seasoning accordingly.
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