Leftover Noodles Casserole

Transform your leftovers into a comforting, golden-baked masterpiece with this Leftover Noodles Casserole. This versatile recipe combines tender cooked noodles, wholesome vegetables, and protein of your choice—like shredded chicken or tofu—swirled in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce made from scratch. Topped with a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want to breathe new life into your fridge essentials. Ready in under an hour, it’s a family-friendly dinner that’s big on flavor and low on food waste. Whether you're using spaghetti, penne, or egg noodles, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that turns pantry staples into pure comfort.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups Cooked noodles (any type, e.g., spaghetti, penne, or egg noodles)
• 1 cup Cooked vegetables (e.g., broccoli, peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 1 cup Cooked protein (e.g., shredded chicken, ground beef, or tofu)
• 1.5 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Milk
• 0.5 cups Heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 0.5 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

Step 4

Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.

Step 5

Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, cooked vegetables, cooked protein, and cheese sauce. Mix until everything is evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it out in an even layer.

Step 8

Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole for a crispy topping.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Step 11

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1852.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3443.8

Total Fat 156.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 82.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 591.7mg	0%
Sodium 4974.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 318.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.6g	0%
Total Sugars 30.5g
Protein 179.6g	0%

Vitamin D 111.8IU	0%
Calcium 1737.5mg	0%
Iron 15.0mg	0%
Potassium 1839.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.4%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 37.5%