Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake

Name: Leftover Turkey Pasta Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 400 g leftover roast turkey or chicken, shredded; 6 leftover pigs in blankets; 400 g dried pasta; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cans chopped tomatoes; 3 cloves garlic, crushed; 125 g mozzarella; 25 g Parmesan or strong cheddar, grated; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp tomato puree; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 pinch chilli flakes; 2 tsp sugar

This hearty turkey pasta bake turns holiday leftovers into a comforting, family-friendly dinner. Tender shredded turkey is tossed with pasta in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melty mozzarella and Parmesan, and baked until golden and bubbling.

Servings6 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time30 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

leftover roast turkey or chicken, shredded
400 g
leftover pigs in blankets
6
dried pasta
400 g
onion, finely chopped
1
chopped tomatoes
2 cans
garlic, crushed
3 cloves
mozzarella
125 g
Parmesan or strong cheddar, grated
25 g
olive oil
2 tbsp
tomato puree
2 tsp
red wine vinegar
1 tbsp
dried oregano
1 tsp
chilli flakes
1 pinch
sugar
2 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized. Stir in the crushed garlic and tomato puree, then cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the chopped tomatoes, red wine vinegar, oregano, chilli flakes, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper, then bring to a gentle simmer. Rinse each tomato can with a splash of water and add it to the pan. Partially cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Break up any large tomato pieces, then stir in the shredded turkey or chicken.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water until just al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss well, loosening with a little reserved pasta water if needed.

Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Nestle the pigs in blankets into the pasta or arrange them on top, then scatter over the mozzarella and Parmesan. If serving right away, broil for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden. If baking from chilled or thawed, bake at 400F/200C (180C fan) for 25-30 minutes until hot all the way through.