Turkey Shepard's Pie

Turn your holiday leftovers into pure comfort! This Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is bubbling with tender turkey, hearty vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping baked golden brown. Cozy, rustic, and unbelievably delicious, it’s the easiest way to give new life to your Thanksgiving feast.

Try our leftover turkey soup, chicken pot pie, and leftover turkey tacos.

serving spoon dishing out a spoonful of turkey shepards pie from casserole dish.

Quick Look at This Recipe

Prep Time: _15_ minutes
Cook Time: _25_ minutes
Total Time: _40_ minutes
Servings: _6 to 8_ people
Dietary Info: Comfort food, can be made gluten-free
Method: Baked casserole dish
Technique: Sauté, assemble, bake, and broil for a golden topping
Flavor & Texture: Savory, creamy, cheesy, with a crisp potato crust

Why you’ll love this shepherd’s pie!

This Shepherd’s Pie will change how you use Thanksgiving leftovers! It turns simple turkey, veggies, and mashed potatoes into a bubbling, golden dish that feels like pure comfort. It’s rustic, cozy, and the kind of meal that brings everyone back around the table—just like the holiday itself.

You’ll love my green bean casserole and candied sweet potatoes.

Made With Amore,

Ingredients for Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Recipe ingredients for turkey Shepard's pie recipe.

Vegetables – onion, carrots, and celery form the savory base with garlic for depth.
Seasoning & Herbs – homemade Italian seasoning, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley to brighten the dish.
Butter & Flour – create a rich, velvety sauce that holds everything together.
Broth & Cream – chicken broth or turkey broth plus heavy cream for a luscious, comforting filling.
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey or Oven Roasted Chicken – leftover white or dark meat, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Vegetables for Filling – frozen peas or green beans add color and texture.
Best Mashed Potatoes – creamy and fluffy, spread on top as the classic shepherd’s pie layer.
Cheeses – mozzarella for meltiness and Parmigiano for salty, nutty flavor.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Protein: Swap turkey with ground chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, or lentils for a vegetarian option. Try my porchetta recipe (authentic Italian pork roast) next.
Veggies: Use mushrooms, corn, or spinach—whatever leftovers you have.
Potatoes: Try sweet potatoes, red-skinned mashed potatoes, or cauliflower mash for a lighter twist.
Cheese: Cheddar, fontina, or gruyère adds a new flavor profile.
Flavor Boost: Add a splash of white wine or Worcestershire to the sauce.
Gluten-Free: Replace flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

How To Make Leftover Turkey Shepard’s Pie

This is a step-by-step photo overview of this comforting recipe; the full instrcutions are in the recipe card below.

diced carrots, onions, celery, and flour with spices in a pot.

Step #1: Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven.
Cook the vegetables: In a large Dutch oven or deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté, stirring often, until the onion turns lightly golden, about 3–5 minutes.
Add garlic and flour: Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir, cooking 2–3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.

diced carrots, onions, and celery with spices in a pot.

Step #2: Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 5–7 minutes.

adding broth to the turkey shepards pie mixture in a pot.

Step #3: Make the sauce: Slowly whisk in the broth, a little at a time, to avoid lumps. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream until smooth and velvety.

mix all the turkey shepards pie filling ingredients together with a wooden spoon.

Step #4: Add the filling ingredients: Fold in the turkey, peas (or green beans), and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

add mashed potatoes to the top of the casserole with turkey filling.

Step #5: Assemble the pie: Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the turkey mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Spoon dollops of mashed potatoes over the filling, then spread into an even layer. Use a fork or spoon to create ridges or swirls for texture. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmigiano cheeses.

Add cheese to the top of the shepards pie before baking.

Step #6: Bake and broil: Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the filling is bubbling. Switch the oven to broil and cook for 2–4 minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and crisp.
Serve: Remove from the oven, let rest a few minutes, and garnish with extra parsley and serve hot.

golden and bubble turkey shepards pie in a casserole dish with garnish of parsley on top.

My Pro Tips

Recipe Tips

Cut the turkey into small, even pieces so every bite is balanced.
Whisk the broth slowly into the roux to keep the sauce silky smooth.
Fluff the mashed potatoes with a fork before baking for golden, crisp ridges.
Rotate the dish halfway through baking for even browning.
Let the pie rest 10 minutes before serving so the layers set.

FAQ’s

What is shepherd’s pie?

Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort dish made with a savory meat and vegetable filling, topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. Traditionally made with lamb, but this version uses turkey for a delicious leftover twist.

What sides go well with shepherd’s pie?

It’s a complete meal on its own, but a fresh salad or roasted green vegetables, or a simple salad, and my homemade cornbread make a lovely pairing.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

Make Ahead: Assemble up to 1 day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 5–10 minutes to bake time.
Storage: Keep leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.
Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F until hot and bubbly.
Reheating: Cover with foil and warm at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, or microwave single portions.