Tuscan Turkey Divan

If you are wondering what to do with leftover turkey, Tuscan Turkey Divan is a delicious way to serve leftover turkey so that it looks like a fresh new meal.

It has elegant broccoli spears, creamy Alfredo sauce, and it gets an extra flavor boost from Italian seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

The best part is you can use up all the odd pieces of leftover turkey and still make an elegant meal.

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• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions and Variations
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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. The first thing everyone makes is a turkey sandwich.

But, what about later? After the big meal and the sandwiches, don’t you wish you could turn all your odd pieces of leftover turkey into a simple dish that looks dinner party-ready and feels like a cozy meal?

My favorite dish for leftover turkey is this Turkey Divan casserole of broccoli spears, and creamy turkey, which is topped with a crunchy, savory crouton topping. In my version of this classic dish, the broccoli gets an extra boost of flavor with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning.

But why is this called "Divan"? Well, this casserole is based on Chicken Divan, made with cooked white chicken, broccoli, mornay sauce, and sliced almonds. It was the signature dish of the Divan Parisien Restaurant in the New York City Chatham Hotel. Since its creation by Chef Anthony Lagasi, "Divan" in recipes and cooking has meant broccoli cooked in a white cream sauce with cheese, which is a mornay sauce.

I usually serve this with just a simple green salad with a vinaigrette and some crusty French bread. But it is also delicious on its own with a lovely glass of wine. So, let me show you how simply delicious and elegant this Turkey Divan is!

Ingredients

• 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.

Instructions

STEP 1 - Preheat the oven to 400°F/204°C. Grease a 12" x 8" baking dish with softened butter or baking spray.

STEP 2 - Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife slit larger broccoli stalks into halves or thirds. Broccoli stalks tend to be tough, and this will help the broccoli to cook evenly and quickly.

STEP 3 – Layer the broccoli spears in the casserole dish with the green flower heads facing out, towards the ends of the dish. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and the salt over the broccoli.

STEP 4 - In a large bowl whisk together the Alfredo sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Fold in the leftover turkey and shredded sharp cheddar cheese and mix well.

STEP 5 - Spoon the creamy turkey mixture into the center of the casserole dish, so that it covers only the stalks of the broccoli. You can cover the flower heads of the broccoli, but I like to leave them peeking out.

STEP 6 - Sprinkle the crushed croutons over the turkey mixture. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly. Serve and Enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

SUBSTITUTE FROZEN CHOPPED BROCCOLI for the Broccoli Spears. 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 an additional layer at the bottom of the casserole for a heartier meal. This is also a great way to use leftover rice!

ADD COOKED NOODLES. Substitute chopped frozen broccoli and add 1 cup of cooked noodles. Alternatively, you can serve this dish with hot buttered noodles on the side.

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!

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