Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Casserole with Turkey

by Hannah Magee, RD on Feb 1, 2021 (updated Jul 19, 2023) 3 comments »

I absolutely love serving casseroles for dinner — they’re easy to make, feed a crowd, and require minimal ingredient prep! This broccoli and cheddar cheese dinner casserole ticks all those boxes — and more! It’s made with broccoli florets, cooked and cubed turkey breast, plus two cans of no-salt-added cream of chicken soup. Casserole assembly is easy, and the baked dish is ready to serve and enjoy after just 40 minutes in the oven!

casserole with cubed cooked turkey, broccoli florets, and cheddar cheese served over a bed of brown rice on a plate

About This Turkey Broccoli Casserole Recipe:

If you’re looking for easy dinner casserole ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This has been one of my favourite dishes since I was a kid. My mom got the recipe from her mom – my Grammie – both of whom have served it to me for years.

Not only is it a family-favourite recipe, this broccoli cheese casserole makes a delicious and well-balanced meal. I guess it makes sense that it’s been on our roster of healthy dinner recipes for years! It’s great for using leftover turkey (perhaps after a holiday meal), and you can also use cooked chicken instead.

From my family, to yours! Enjoy!

casserole with cubed cooked turkey, broccoli florets, and cheddar cheese served over a bed of brown rice on a plate with a fork

What Makes This Broccoli Cheese Casserole a Balanced Meal?

As a Registered Dietitian, my aim is to share simple, delicious, and nutritionally-balanced recipes (most of the time). And this cream of chicken casserole fits the bill!

I wrote an entire post on how to build a balanced meal, and let me share with you how this recipe meets the criteria:

It offers a good source of protein: That’s our turkey or chicken.
It includes fruit or vegetables: Cue the broccoli. We can also add more veggies by serving the dish up with a simple side salad!
There’s a source of carbohydrates: That’s the rice that we serve the casserole with.

Ingredients For Turkey Broccoli Casserole

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

Cooked turkey or chicken
Broccoli florets – fresh or frozen
Unsalted butter
Canned Cream of Chicken Soup
Lemon juice – fresh or store-bought
Curry powder
Bread crumbs
Shredded cheddar cheese
Rice or quinoa for serving

flat-lay image of ingredients for turkey broccoli casserole

How to Make Turkey Broccoli Casserole:

Step 1: Cook turkey & broccoli

If not already cooked, bake your turkey or chicken (I like this method), then cut into cubes.

Steam the broccoli by placing broccoli florets in a microwave-safe bowl and adding 2-3 tablespoons of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still firm. You can do this with fresh or frozen broccoli, just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Then lay the chicken then broccoli in the bottom of a casserole dish, one on top of the other.

cubed cooked chicken in a casserole dish — Lay the cooked, cubed turkey or chicken in the bottom of an oven-safe casserole dish.

cubed cooked chicken with steamed broccoli florets on top in a casserole dish — Lay the cooked, cubed turkey or chicken in the bottom of an oven-safe casserole dish.

Step 2: Make the sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, melted butter, lemon juice, curry powder, and salt. Spread over top of chicken and broccoli in the casserole dish.

Step 3: Add breadcrumb + cheese topping

Mix 1 teaspoon melted butter with the bread crumbs and spinkle on top. Add grated cheese on top of bread crumbs.

cream of chicken soup mixture on top of steamed broccoli florets and cubed cooked chicken in a casserole dish — Spread the cream of chicken soup mixture over top of the broccoli florets and cubed chicken.

bread crumbs on top of cream of chicken soup mixture, steamed broccoli florets, and cubed cooked chicken in a casserole dish — Spread the cream of chicken soup mixture over top of the broccoli florets and cubed chicken.

Step 4: Bake and then Serve!

Bake at 350F for 35-45 minutes until the cheese is slightly crisp and the breadcrumb layer is golden brown.

cooked turkey broccoli casserole in a casserole dish — Remove from the oven when the cheese is slightly crisp and the breadcrumb layer is golden brown.

What to Serve with Broccoli Casserole:

For a well-balanced meal, I recommend serving this leftover turkey casserole with a side of rice or quinoa and/or a simple side salad.

Can I Use Chicken Instead of Turkey?

Yes! This casserole recipe works great with cooked turkey or cooked chicken. Use whichever you prefer!

I often use leftover turkey after a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Throughout the remainder of the year, I’ll use chicken.

cooked turkey broccoli casserole in a casserole dish beside a plate of casserole

Can You Make Broccoli Casserole Ahead of Time?

You sure can! This is something my mom often does. If you want to make the broccoli casserole ahead of time, just follow all steps up until baking. Then keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it in the oven!

If you have leftovers, store them covered in the fridge. They will keep up to 4 days.

Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below.

Oh, and be sure to take a photo and tag me at @hannahmagee_rd so I can re-share on my stories!

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