25 Easy Turkey Dinner Recipes

As a college student, finding affordable and delicious meal options was always a priority. That’s why I fell in love with saucy turkey dishes – they were inexpensive, easy to make, and incredibly versatile. Slathered in flavorful sauces like tangy cranberry, rich gravy, or zesty enchilada sauce, turkey provided a savory protein base for countless dinner ideas.

I frequently turned leftover roasted turkey into saucy comfort foods like turkey tetrazzini casserole or open-faced hot turkey sandwiches smothered in gravy. But my favorite was piling saucy shredded turkey on burger buns with cheese for quick and hearty turkey burgers. Saucy turkey recipes were budget-friendly, satisfying dinners that got me through those busy college years. Even now, they bring back fond memories of simple, tasty meals.

Table of Contents

1. Roast Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter

Rich, Savory Flavor Ingredients: Turkey breast, butter, garlic, fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, pepper

Pat turkey breast dry and rub with softened garlic herb butter under and over the skin
Place breast-side up in a roasting pan and roast at 325°F for about 2-2.5 hours, basting occasionally
Let rest 15 minutes before slicing Total Cook Time: 2.5-3 hours

2. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Stuffing

Tender, Juicy Turkey with Savory Stuffing

Ingredients: Boneless turkey breast, chicken broth, stuffing mix, butter, onions, celery, herbs

Place turkey breast in slow cooker and pour in broth
In a skillet, sauté onions and celery, then mix with stuffing, butter, and herbs
Spoon stuffing mixture around turkey breast
Cook on low for 6-8 hours Total Cook Time: 6-8 hours

3. Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze

Sweet and Savory with a Tangy Glaze

Ingredients: Ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, herbs, cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vinegar

Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and herbs then form into meatballs
Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until cooked through
Make glaze by simmering cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar
Toss meatballs in glaze to coat Total Cook Time: 30 minutes

4. One-Pan Turkey Dinner with Veggies

Savory with Roasted Flavors

Ingredients: Turkey tenderloins, potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, olive oil, herbs, broth

On a large baking sheet, toss veggies with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs
Nestle turkey tenderloins among the veggies and add a splash of broth
Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes until turkey is cooked through Total Cook Time: 35 minutes

5. Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole

Creamy, Comforting, Cheesy Taste

Ingredients: Cooked turkey, spaghetti or linguine, mushrooms, peas, chicken broth, milk, butter, flour, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs

Cook pasta al dente and set aside
Make a roux with butter and flour, then whisk in broth and milk to make a sauce
Stir in cooked turkey, mushrooms, peas, and cooked pasta
Transfer to a baking dish, top with Parmesan and breadcrumbs
Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until hot and crumb topping is golden Total Cook Time: 1 hour

6. Turkey Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuit Topping

Hearty, Creamy Filling with Flaky Topping

Ingredients: Cooked turkey, carrots, peas, onions, butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, cheddar biscuit mix

Make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in broth and milk to make a gravy
Add cooked turkey and vegetables, pour into a baking dish
Make cheddar biscuit topping and drop dough by spoonfuls over the top
Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until biscuits are golden brown Total Cook Time: 45 minutes

7. Turkey Chili with Cornbread Toppers

Smoky, Spicy Chili with Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients: Ground turkey, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, cumin, cornbread mix, eggs, milk

Brown the ground turkey in a pot, drain excess fat
Add peppers, onions, spices, tomatoes and beans, simmer for 20 minutes
Make cornbread batter and drop dollops over the top of the chili
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until cornbread is cooked through Total Cook Time: 1 hour

8. Turkey Quesadillas with Cranberry Salsa

Savory Turkey with Sweet & Tangy Salsa
Ingredients: Flour tortillas, shredded turkey, shredded cheese, cranberry salsa (cranberries, lime, jalapeño, cilantro)

Layer shredded turkey and cheese between two tortillas
Cook quesadilla in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy
Make salsa by combining chopped cranberries, lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro
Slice into wedges and serve with cranberry salsa Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

9. Turkey Fried Rice

Savory with a Mix of Flavors and Textures

Ingredients: Cooked rice, cooked turkey, eggs, frozen peas & carrots, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil

Scramble eggs in a wok or skillet, remove from pan
Sauté garlic and ginger, then add cooked rice, turkey, peas & carrots
Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, stir to combine
Mix in scrambled eggs right before serving Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

10. Turkey Sloppy Joes

Sweet and Tangy Meaty Sandwich Filling

Ingredients: Ground turkey, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hamburger buns

Brown the ground turkey in a skillet, drain excess fat
Add ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire, simmer for 10 minutes
Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto buns Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

11. Turkey Cobb Salad

Fresh Greens with Savory Turkey and Toppings

Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, cooked turkey, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, ranch dressing

Arrange lettuce on a platter or bowl
Top with rows of diced turkey, sliced eggs, crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese
Drizzle with ranch dressing Total Prep Time: 15 minutes

12. Turkey Panini with Cranberry Mustard

Tangy, Savory, Slightly Sweet

Ingredients: Sourdough bread, deli sliced turkey breast, Swiss cheese, arugula, cranberry mustard (mustard mixed with cranberry sauce)

Spread one side of bread with cranberry mustard
Layer on turkey, cheese, and arugula
Brush outer sides of sandwich with butter or olive oil
Cook in a panini press for 3-5 minutes until crispy and melty
Total Cook Time: 10 minutes

13. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Savory Filling Topped with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients: Cooked turkey, mixed veggies, gravy, mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese

Mix together cooked turkey, frozen mixed veggies, and turkey gravy
Spread into a baking dish and top with mashed potatoes
Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until heated through Total Cook Time: 40 minutes

14. Turkey Carbonara

Rich, Creamy, With Savory Turkey Bacon

Ingredients: Spaghetti, turkey bacon, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic

Cook spaghetti al dente according to package instructions
In a skillet, cook turkey bacon until crispy then remove from pan
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan, parsley, salt & pepper
Drain spaghetti, reserving some pasta water, and return to pot
Add egg mixture and toss quickly to coat, allowing residual heat to cook eggs
Crumble in turkey bacon just before serving Total Cook Time: 25 minutes

15. Turkey Enchiladas with Green Sauce

Zesty and Comforting with Tender Turkey

Ingredients: Corn tortillas, shredded turkey, enchilada sauce (tomatillos, garlic, jalapeños), cheese, sour cream

In a blender, puree tomatillos, garlic, jalapeños, broth or water to make sauce
Dip tortillas in sauce to lightly coat both sides
Roll shredded turkey into tortillas and place in baking dish
Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and top with cheese
Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until hot and melty
Serve with sour cream, extra sauce Total Cook Time: 40 minutes

16. Turkey Pasta Bake

Cheesy and Satisfying Crowd-Pleaser

Ingredients: Penne or ziti pasta, ground turkey, marinara sauce, mozzarella, ricotta

Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions
In a skillet, brown the ground turkey and drain excess fat
Stir in marinara sauce and cooked pasta
In a baking dish, spread half the pasta mixture and top with dollops of ricotta
Add remaining pasta mixture and cover with mozzarella cheese
Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until hot and melty Total Cook Time: 45 minutes

17. Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Fresh and Light but Packed with Flavor

Ingredients: Ground turkey, mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, butter lettuce cups

Brown the ground turkey in a skillet, drain excess fat
Add mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions and cook for 2-3 minutes
Stir in garlic, ginger, soy sauce and vinegar
Spoon turkey mixture into lettuce cups to serve Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

18. Turkey Grain Bowls with Veggies

Fresh, Bright, Savory Flavors

Ingredients: Cooked turkey, quinoa or farro, roasted veggies like sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, balsamic vinaigrette

Cook grains according to package instructions
Toss cubed sweet potatoes and halved brussels sprouts with oil, salt, pepper on a baking sheet
Roast veggies at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until tender
Build bowls with grains, roasted veggies, sliced turkey
Top with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and balsamic dressing
Total Cook Time: 45 minutes

19. Turkey Pesto Flatbread

Herby Pesto with Savory Turkey Topping

Ingredients: Naan or flatbread, basil pesto, shredded turkey, tomatoes, mozzarella

Spread naan or flatbread with an even layer of pesto
Top with shredded turkey, sliced tomatoes and shredded mozzarella
Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is crispy Total Cook Time: 15 minutes

20. Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Savory and Filling, Perfect for Brunch

Ingredients: Turkey sausage, eggs, milk, bread cubes, cheese, bell peppers, onions

Cook turkey sausage in a skillet until browned and crumbled
In a baking dish, layer bread cubes, sausage, peppers, onions and cheese
In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk, then pour over bread mixture
Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours up to overnight
Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes until puffed and golden Total Cook Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time)

21. Turkey Breakfast Burritos

Hearty and Portable Breakfast Option

Ingredients: Scrambled eggs, turkey sausage or bacon, potatoes, cheese, salsa, flour tortillas

Cook turkey sausage or bacon and set aside
Sauté diced potatoes in the same skillet until crispy
Scramble eggs and stir in turkey sausage/bacon and potatoes
Warm tortillas and layer each with egg mixture and shredded cheese
Roll up burritos and serve with salsa Total Cook Time: 30 minutes

22. Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Flavorful and Nutritious Meal

Ingredients: Bell peppers, quinoa, ground turkey, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, cheese

Cook quinoa according to package instructions
Slice tops off bell peppers and remove seeds
Brown ground turkey with onions and garlic in a skillet
Mix cooked turkey with quinoa, diced tomatoes and cheese
Stuff pepper halves with quinoa turkey mixture
Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes until peppers are tender Total Cook Time: 1 hour

24. Turkey Taco Salad

Bold Southwestern Flavors in a Salad
Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, ground turkey, black beans, tomatoes, corn, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, taco seasoning, lime vinaigrette

Brown the ground turkey with taco seasoning in a skillet
In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, cooked turkey, black beans, tomatoes, corn, cheese
Right before serving, add crushed tortilla chips and desired amount of dressing Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

24. Turkey Bolognese over Zucchini Noodles

Hearty Meat Sauce over Fresh Veggie Noodles

Ingredients: Ground turkey, tomato sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, zucchini noodles or spiralized zucchini

In a saucepan, brown the ground turkey and drain excess fat
Add tomato sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning and simmer for 10 mins
Use a spiralizer or julienne peeler to cut zucchini into noodle shapes
Serve hot turkey bolognese sauce over zucchini noodles Total Cook Time: 30 minutes

25. Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Sweet and Savory with a Classic Combo

Ingredients: Turkey breast slices, Swiss cheese, cranberry sauce, challah bread, eggs, milk, powdered sugar

Lightly toast challah bread slices
Make sandwiches by layering turkey, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce
Whisk together eggs and milk for egg wash
Dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg mixture
Cook sandwiches in a skillet with butter until golden brown
Dust with powdered sugar before serving Total Cook Time: 20 minutes

Conclusion

No matter how you sauce it up, turkey makes a delicious and economical dinner option. From classic roasted turkey with gravy to creative spins like turkey sloppy joes or turkey bolognese, saucy turkey recipes are sure to satisfy.