Creamy Turkey Bubble Up Casserole - Marching In With Casseroles 2026
Creamy Turkey Bubble Up Casserole - Marching In With Casseroles 2026 is a easy American recipe that serves 6. 380 calories per serving. Recipe by Gregs Cumberlachia Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 30 min | Cook: 40 min | Total: 1 hr 25 min
Cost: $22.87 total, $3.81 per serving
Ingredients
- 28 oz Canned Turkey (28‑oz can; use about 2/3 (≈2 cups) drained)
- 1.5 cup Frozen Mixed Vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans, corn; any frozen mixed veg works)
- 0.5 cup Milk (whole or 2% milk)
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 tsp Onion Powder (green onion powder if available)
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (10.5‑oz condensed cream of chicken soup)
- 0.5 cup Sour Cream (full‑fat; can substitute Greek yogurt)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (divided, half added before baking, half after)
- 1 can Biscuits (store‑bought 16‑oz biscuit dough; quarter each biscuit)
- 0.5 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Wild Garlic (chopped; optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Set the oven to 350°F and allow it to preheat while you prepare the casserole.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 350°F
Open and Drain Turkey
Using a can opener, open the 28‑oz canned turkey. Pour out about two‑thirds (≈2 cups) into a mixing bowl, reserving any excess liquid for another use or discarding it.
Time: PT5M
Mash Turkey
Use a fork or spatula to break up the turkey into bite‑size pieces.
Time: PT3M
Add Remaining Ingredients
Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, and black pepper until a uniform mixture forms.
Time: PT5M
Incorporate Biscuits
Quarter each biscuit and gently fold them into the turkey mixture, ensuring each piece is coated.
Time: PT5M
Assemble in Baking Dish
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13‑inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, then cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Time: PT5M
Bake Covered
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake covered for 20 minutes.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: 350°F
Add Remaining Cheese and Finish Baking
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole, and bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the biscuit tops are golden brown.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 350°F
Rest and Garnish
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped wild garlic if desired before serving.
Time: PT5M
Serve
Scoop portions onto plates and enjoy the warm, cheesy casserole.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 380
- Protein
- 22g
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fat
- 16g
- Fiber
- 3g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Can be made gluten‑free with GF biscuits, Can be made dairy‑free using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Soy
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Canned Turkey: canned chicken, rotisserie chicken, shredded
- Instead of Frozen Mixed Vegetables: fresh mixed vegetables, frozen peas only
- Instead of Milk: unsweetened almond milk, cream
- Instead of Garlic Powder: fresh minced garlic
- Instead of Onion Powder: fresh minced onion, shallot powder
- Instead of Cream of Chicken Soup: cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup
- Instead of Sour Cream: Greek yogurt, creamy cottage cheese
- Instead of Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Mozzarella
- Instead of Biscuits: homemade biscuit dough, store‑bought biscuit mix
- Instead of Salt: sea salt
- Instead of Black Pepper: white pepper
- Instead of Fresh Wild Garlic: chives, green onions
Equipment Needed
- Can Opener
- Mixing Bowl
- Fork/Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Baking Dish
- Aluminum Foil
- Oven
- Cheese Grater (optional)
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Drain and mash canned turkey
- Mix turkey with soup and seasonings
- Quarter biscuits and coat with mixture
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes
- Add cheese and finish baking uncovered until golden
Chef Tips from the Video
- For extra flavor, add a splash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the mixture before baking.
- Use a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a more complex cheese melt.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for color and freshness.
Troubleshooting
Biscuits are soggy after baking
Make sure to drain excess liquid from the canned turkey and limit milk to ½ cup; bake uncovered a few extra minutes to crisp the tops.
Top does not brown
Sprinkle extra cheese and switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Freezer: Freeze unbaked casserole up to 2 months; bake from frozen adding 10 minutes to cooking time.
Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature; refrigerate promptly.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the turkey‑vegetable mixture up to step 5 and refrigerate for up to 24 h.
- Assemble the casserole, cover, and store in the fridge; bake when ready.
- Freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 2 months; bake from frozen, adding 10 min to total bake time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole in American Southern cuisine?
Casseroles like the Turkey Bubble‑Up have roots in Southern comfort food, where pantry staples such as canned meat, biscuits, and creamy soups were combined to create quick, filling meals for farm families and during harsh winters.
What are the traditional regional variations of bubble‑up casseroles in the Southern United States?
In the South, variations include using chicken instead of turkey, adding corn kernels, or swapping cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom. Some families layer shredded cheese throughout, while others top only at the end.
How is Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole traditionally served in the Southern United States?
It is typically served hot from the oven, often accompanied by a simple green salad or steamed collard greens, and sometimes with cornbread on the side for a complete comfort‑food meal.
During what occasions is Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole traditionally enjoyed in Southern culture?
The dish is popular for casual family dinners, pot‑luck gatherings, and as a convenient way to use leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or holiday celebrations.
How does Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole fit into the broader American comfort‑food tradition?
It embodies the American comfort‑food ethos of using inexpensive, shelf‑stable ingredients to create a warm, cheesy, one‑dish meal that feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include canned turkey, frozen mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and store‑bought biscuit dough. Substitutes can be canned chicken, fresh vegetables, homemade cream soup, Greek yogurt, or homemade biscuit dough.
What other Southern dishes pair well with Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole?
Pairs nicely with buttery cornbread, collard greens sautéed with bacon, or a simple cucumber‑tomato salad dressed with vinaigrette.
What makes Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole special or unique in Southern cuisine?
Its use of canned turkey provides a ready‑made protein, while the biscuit pieces create a fluffy, bread‑like topping that absorbs the creamy sauce, delivering a uniquely textured, all‑in‑one comfort dish.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole?
Common errors include not draining enough liquid from the canned turkey, which makes the casserole watery, and forgetting to remove the foil for the final browning, resulting in a soggy top.
Why does this Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole recipe use canned turkey instead of fresh turkey?
Canned turkey is fully cooked, shelf‑stable, and provides a salty, savory broth that replaces homemade stock, making the recipe faster and ideal for emergency or low‑prep meals.
Can I make Turkey Bubble‑Up Casserole ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes. Assemble the casserole up to the covered baking step, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake as directed. Unbaked portions can also be frozen for up to two months; bake from frozen, adding about 10 minutes to the cooking time.
What does the YouTube channel Greg's Cumberlachia Kitchen specialize in?
The YouTube channel Greg's Cumberlachia Kitchen specializes in practical, farm‑to‑table recipes that often feature pantry staples, canned meats, and Southern comfort‑food dishes, with a focus on easy, family‑friendly meals.
How does the YouTube channel Greg's Cumberlachia Kitchen's approach to Southern cooking differ from other Southern cooking channels?
Greg's Cumberlachia Kitchen emphasizes using long‑lasting pantry items like canned Keystone meats and store‑bought biscuits, showcasing how to create hearty meals with minimal fresh ingredients, whereas many other Southern channels focus on fresh, seasonal produce and scratch‑made components.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
