Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups

This turkey and stuffing roll-ups recipe transforms holiday flavors into an easy weeknight meal that brings comfort food to your table without the fuss of cooking an entire turkey dinner. The combination of tender turkey slices hugging savory stuffing, all smothered in rich gravy, creates a satisfying dish that tastes like Thanksgiving any day of the year.

I discovered this recipe when looking for creative ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, but it was so popular that my family now requests it year-round. The smell of the stuffing and gravy baking together always brings everyone to the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.

Ingredients

• Good quality oven roasted turkey breast: 8 slices. Look for thick cut slices from the deli counter for the best texture and flavor in your roll ups.
• Dry stuffing mix: 5 ounce package turkey or cornbread flavored. The seasoning in these mixes provides instant flavor but homemade stuffing works beautifully too.
• Turkey gravy mix: 2 packets 0.87 ounce each. These packets create a flavorful base that saves significant prep time.
• Cream of chicken soup: 10 ounce can. This adds creaminess and depth to the gravy while keeping it velvety smooth.
• Water: 2 cups. Helps thin the gravy to perfect consistency while allowing flavors to blend.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the stuffing:

Follow package directions to cook the stuffing mix, usually involving boiling water, adding butter, then stirring in the mix and letting it stand. Homemade stuffing works wonderfully too if you have some on hand or prefer to make it from scratch.

Make the gravy:

Add the gravy mix packets to a medium saucepan along with water and cream of chicken soup. Whisk thoroughly to combine ingredients before heating. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until the gravy thickens to coat the back of a spoon.

Preheat and prepare:

Set your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 glass baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Assemble the roll ups:

Place turkey slices on a flat surface and spoon approximately 1/4 cup of prepared stuffing onto each slice. Position the stuffing near one end of the turkey slice to make rolling easier. Carefully roll each turkey slice around the stuffing, creating a neat cylinder with the stuffing fully enclosed. Place each roll up in the prepared baking dish with the seam side down to prevent unrolling during baking.

Add gravy and bake:

Pour approximately 1 cup of the prepared gravy evenly over the turkey rolls, reserving the remaining gravy for serving. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and keep the turkey moist during cooking. Bake for 30 minutes until the dish is hot throughout and bubbling around the edges.

Serve and enjoy:

Place roll ups on plates alongside your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or vegetables. Drizzle with additional warm gravy from the reserved portion and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

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The cream of chicken soup is my secret ingredient in this recipe. While some people might be tempted to skip it and use just gravy mix with water, the soup adds a richness and body to the gravy that makes these roll ups extra special. My grandmother taught me this trick years ago, and I've used it in countless recipes since.

Leftover Magic

These roll ups actually taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a covered microwave safe dish with a tablespoon of water sprinkled over top to maintain moisture, then heat for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat in the oven at 325°F covered with foil for about 15 minutes.

Customization Options

This recipe welcomes creative variations to suit your taste preferences or what you have available. Try using different stuffing flavors like herb or wild mushroom for a flavor twist. For a more decadent version, add a sprinkle of shredded cheese like Swiss or Gruyere on top of the stuffing before rolling. The turkey can also be substituted with chicken breast slices if turkey is unavailable, though the cooking time may need slight adjustment.

Serving Suggestions

These turkey roll ups pair perfectly with classic comfort food sides. Creamy mashed potatoes make an ideal base to catch extra gravy. For vegetables, consider roasted Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, or green beans almondine to add color and nutrition to your plate. A simple cranberry sauce on the side provides a sweet tart contrast that complements the savory flavors beautifully, especially if serving during holiday season.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use leftover turkey for these roll ups?

Yes! Leftover roasted turkey works perfectly for these roll ups. Just ensure the slices are thick enough to roll without tearing. This makes it an excellent post-holiday meal to use up Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers.

→ How do I prevent the turkey roll ups from unraveling while baking?

Place the roll ups seam-side down in the baking dish as directed in the recipe. The weight of the roll itself helps keep it closed. If they're still unraveling, you can secure them with toothpicks before baking (just remember to remove them before serving).

→ Can I make these turkey roll ups ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the roll ups up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them covered. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold. The gravy can also be made ahead and reheated when ready to bake.

→ What can I serve with turkey and stuffing roll ups?

These roll ups pair perfectly with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, or a simple green salad. Essentially, any sides you'd serve with a traditional turkey dinner will complement these roll ups beautifully.

→ Can I use homemade stuffing instead of a mix?

Absolutely! Homemade stuffing works wonderfully in this recipe. Use your favorite stuffing recipe, ensure it's cooled enough to handle before rolling in the turkey slices, and proceed with the recipe as written.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a covered baking dish with a splash of chicken broth or water and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions covered with a damp paper towel.