Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A modern baked twist on the classic Louisville sandwich, featuring turkey, bacon, and creamy Mornay sauce in a golden-baked casserole. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs sourdough bread, sliced turkey breast, cooked bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut 6 slices sourdough bread into 1-inch cubes and arrange in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1 cup sliced turkey breast and 4 cooked bacon slices, crumbled.
  2. Step 2: Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves.
  3. Step 3: Pour cheese sauce over the bread mixture, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown around the edges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sourdough bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole?

American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes