Bourbon-Infused Turkey and Ham Casserole with Mornay Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

A comforting casserole featuring tender turkey and ham in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, infused with the warm notes of bourbon. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ground turkey, sliced ham, bourbon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 8 oz sliced ham
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp melted butter

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground turkey and 8 oz diced ham to the skillet, breaking up the turkey with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the turkey is no longer pink and the ham is heated through; season with salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp dried rosemary.
3. Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually pour in 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup bourbon, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Transfer the turkey and ham mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 tbsp melted butter.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.