Tuscan Turkey Divan

Why This Is The Best Turkey Divan!

We all love the traditional American turkey dinner with all the sides and trimmings. But with a large bird and so many side dishes, we can have a lot of leftover turkey.

My favorite leftover-turkey dish is Turkey Divan, a casserole of broccoli spears and creamy turkey. It's a spin on the original Chicken Divan, invented by Chef Anthony Lagasi at the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the New York City Chatham Hotel.

Since its creation, the term "Divan" in recipes has meant broccoli cooked in a cheesy white cream sauce, which is a Mornay sauce.

In my version of this classic dish, the broccoli gets an extra boost of flavor with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning. I swap making a white sauce for ready-made Alfredo, and the whole casserole is topped with a crunchy, savory garlic crouton topping.

I usually serve it with just a simple green salad with a basic vinaigrette and some crusty French bread. But it is also delicious on its own with a lovely glass of wine.

So, let's cook!

What You Need to Make Tuscan Turkey Divan

• Frozen Broccoli Spears, Thawed - Frozen broccoli works well and is preferred since it does not require par boiling or blanching.
• Italian Seasoning - Use your favorite brand that does not contain salt.
• Salt - The broccoli will need a sprinkling of salt. But the sauce will not require any additional salt.
• Alfredo Sauce - Use your favorite jar or fresh refrigerated sauce.
• Lemon Juice - Lemon juice adds bright acid notes to the sauce and lifts the flavors.
• Worcestershire Sauce - Worcestershire sauce adds a complexity of flavor that is that "something extra" that improves white sauces. Only use a very small amount.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Finely Shredded - Any cheese will actually work and you can use your favorite. I like the stronger flavor of sharp cheddar as it pairs well with turkey. Gruyere cheese is lovely too.
• Leftover Turkey, Cooked and Chopped - You can use white or dark meat.
• Garlic Seasoned Croutons, Crushed - The croutons add another layer of flavor. If you prefer your topping crunchy, add the crushed croutons to the end of the bake.

Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Substitute Frozen Chopped Broccoli. Thaw and thoroughly drain the frozen chopped broccoli. Put the chopped broccoli in a single layer in the bottom of the casserole and completely cover it with the turkey mixture. Top the turkey mixture with the crushed croutons and cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F/204°C for 50 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.

Use Leftover Rice. Leftover rice or rice pilaf can be added as a bottom layer to the casserole for a heartier meal. This is also a great way to use leftover rice!

Add Cooked Noodles. Add 1 cup of cooked noodles and substitute chopped frozen broccoli. Alternatively, you can serve this dish with hot buttered noodles on the side.

Top with Biscuits. Instead of crushed croutons, top the casserole with refrigerator biscuits cut into halves or fourths.

How to Make a Tuscan Turkey Divan Casserole in Advance

Use a tempered glass or metal casserole dish. Make the Tuscan Turkey Divan casserole up to the point of baking it and place the aluminum foil-covered casserole in the freezer for up to 14 days or the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Always thaw a frozen Tuscan Turkey Divan casserole in the refrigerator before baking it. Place the frozen casserole in the refrigerator and allow at least 12 hours for it to thaw.

When you are ready to bake the casserole add an additional 15 to 20 minutes of bake time to compensate for the coldness of the refrigerated casserole.

After baking, you have a delicious and gorgeous Tuscan Turkey Divan. No one will ever guess you made it from leftover turkey!