Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

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This Turkey Tetrazzini uses up leftover turkey in a creamy, cheesy noodle casserole loaded up with tender turkey, sweet peas, and fresh mushrooms, and topped with a golden, crispy Panko-Parmesan topping. It's made from scratch with no cream soups, but is still so simple to make!

Turkey Tetrazzini

Turkey Tetrazzini is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey from the holidays. It's creamy, cheesy, and a meal the whole family will enjoy. Plus, it's super customizable to yours and your family's tastes and even what leftovers you have on hand!

This turkey tetrazzini feature noodles in a rich, cheesy sauce tossed with peas, mushrooms, and turkey, and topped with a savory crispy panko-parmesan topping. No cream soup to be found here!

Do You Have to Use Spaghetti Noodles?

Nope. Spaghetti noodles are probably the most traditional for this particular recipe, but any kind will work. Use 12 ounces of shells, elbow macaroni, rotini, or egg noodles, if you'd like.

I do not recommend using zucchini noodles, as they will get very soggy and soft with baking.

Can I Add Any Extras to Turkey Tetrazzini?

Sure! This is a casserole just waiting to be dressed up! Go ahead and personalize it to yours or your family's taste preferences. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Veggies - Use this opportunity for a veggie dump! Leftover veggies, vegetables that need to be used up quickly... They'll all pretty much work in this dish! Try zucchini, shredded carrots, green beans, even sweet or spicy peppers!
  • Spice - Add a little hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapenos for some spice!
  • Cheese - Experimenting with the cheese is one of the easiest ways to make something your own. Some gouda, havarti, or provolone would all work great in this dish.

What to Serve with Turkey Tetrazzini

You can serve some leftover Thanksgiving sides such as bourbon-glazed carrots or homemade creamed corn to add some extra veggies with dinner.

It also pairs nicely with a simple, fresh green salad.

Can I Freeze Turkey Tetrazzini?

Yes, you can!

Prepare according to directions. Do not bake. Allow to cool to room temperature before covering and freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake for an additional 10 minutes to account for the cold dish.

More Turkey Recipes You'll Love

  • Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie - turkey in a creamy gravy with veggies topped with mashed sweet potatoes.
  • Turkey Pot Pie - the BEST ever pot pie that features leftover turkey in a creamy gravy with a buttery, flaky crust.
  • Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole - yes, this says "chicken" but it would be just as delicious with leftover turkey. Serve this creamy casserole over rice or noodles.
  • Chicken Gnocchi Soup - another chicken recipe that would be scrumptious with turkey instead of chicken!
  • Epic List of Leftover Turkey Recipes - the ultimate idea list for using up leftover turkey.

Turkey Tetrazzini Video

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (4)

Turkey Tetrazzini

This Turkey Tetrazzini uses up leftover turkey in a creamy, cheesy noodle casserole loaded up with tender turkey, sweet peas, and fresh mushrooms, and topped with a golden, crispy Panko-Parmesan topping. It's made from scratch with no cream soups, but is still so simple to make!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Turkey Tetrazzini

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 760kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed and softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 4 cups cooked and chopped turkey
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Crunchy Topping

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse to stop cooking, and set aside.

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

  • Add onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

  • When vegetables are tender, stir in flour and allow to heat up, about 1 minute.

  • Begin slowly stirring in broth, about ¼ cup at a time, to prevent lumps.

  • Stir in milk and wine. Continue cooking and stirring until thickened.

  • When mixture is hot and thick, stir in cream cheese until melted.

  • Stir in mozzarella and parmesan until combined.

  • Add Italian seasoning, turkey, and peas, and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Stir in prepared noodles. Then transfer mixture to a 9"x13' baking dish. Set aside.

  • Add all topping ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Spread evenly over noodles.

  • Bake in a 350°F for about 25 minutes, until top is golden brown, and sauce is bubbly and hot all the way through.

Notes

  • Gluten Free: This dish can be made (and has been tested) gluten free. Just use measure-for-measure gluten free flour, gluten free spaghetti noodles, and gluten free breadcrumbs.
  • Broth: Turkey or vegetable stock/broth will also both work fine.
  • Wine: To omit, just add an extra ½ cup broth.
  • Crunchy Topping: I love the added texture from the topping. In a time crunch, you can exclude it and just top with some more mozzarella and parmesan.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in individual servings in the microwave.
  • Freezer Directions: Prepare according to directions. Do not bake. Allow to cool to room temperature before covering and freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Bake for an additional 10 minutes to account for the cold dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 760kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 1173mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1215IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 446mg | Iron: 3mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Savita says

    It turned out soo delicious, such an easy recipe to follow. Loved it!!

    Reply

  2. Kate says

    This turkey tetrazzini is just like my Auntie used to make! I love the combo of ingredients.

    Reply

  3. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!

    Reply

  4. Kathleen says

    Wow! Everything cooked in one pot, all homemade, no soup cans. This is fantastic, comfort food at its finest.

    Reply

  5. Dana Sandonato says

    What a cozy meal! Perfect for these gloomy days. Never made this before and I'm so glad I found this recipe, it was delicious and just what we needed!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Tetrazzini sauce made of? ›

The basis of Tetrazzini sauce is a béchamel sauce. While a basic béchamel is made with just butter, flour and milk, for Tetrazzini, we dial up the deliciousness by adding chicken stock (for flavour), cream (for richness) and cheese (a good thing in anything!).

What is turkey tetrazzini made of? ›

Try this American classic turkey casserole—turkey Tetrazzini—a hearty pasta bake that includes sautéed mushrooms, a cheesy creamy sauce, leftover turkey, peas, and egg noodles.

Why is Tetrazzini called Tetrazzini? ›

It is supposedly named for Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, and was made by the chef at her hotel in the early 1900s. Chicken tetrazzini is a baked casserole made with poultry or seafood, and mixed with dairy and pasta that is topped with cheese and breadcrumbs.

Who created turkey tetrazzini? ›

The dish is named after the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. The origins of tetrazzini are widely disputed. Some accounts ascribe tetrazzini as a creation of Auguste Escoffier.

What is tetrazzini in English? ›

adjective. (often lowercase) served over pasta with a cream sauce, often flavored with sherry, sprinkled with cheese, and browned in the oven: chicken Tetrazzini.

What is the pasta sauce called? ›

Technically, pasta sauce is any sauce typically paired with pasta — like pesto, bolognese, Alfredo, and marinara as well. But people usually think of a more robust and flavorful tomato sauce as classic "pasta sauce." There are really no hard-and-fast rules on what can simply be called pasta sauce.

What country is tetrazzini from? ›

Chicken Tetrazzini is an American dish. It's unclear which chef, but a chef, created it in honor of Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini when she debuted as Gilda in Rigoletto in San Francisco in 1905.

What is spatch cooked turkey? ›

Spatchco*cking is a non-gimmicky way to get you to perfectly cooked turkey—fast. Also known as butterflying, the technique involves removing the backbone and flattening the bird for cooking.

What is cream cheese called in turkey? ›

Meanings of "cream cheese" with other terms in English Turkish Dictionary : 3 result(s)
CategoryTurkish
Gastronomy
1Gastronomyhoşmerim
2Gastronomylabne
3Gastronomyçedar peyniri
1 more row

Why is it called killer spaghetti? ›

The name assassina, which means killer, refers not to the felony, but rather the risottatura cooking technique that cooks pasta like risotto. Instead of boiling the spaghetti, it's cooked directly in the pan by consistently adding water to it each time the pasta absorbs it.

How do you use tetrazzini in a sentence? ›

The restaurant was full of people enjoying a plate of turkey tetrazzini. Turkey tetrazzini is a great way of using up leftover turkey.

Who is tetrazzini named after? ›

Tetrazzini is a baked pasta dish purportedly named after the Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini. Despite its symphonious name, it's actually mid-century American, not Italian. The turkey should have been a giveaway… It's made with pantry staples and lends itself to all sorts of variations.

Where does the word tetrazzini come from? ›

In the early years of the 20th century, when the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini was singing to adoring crowds in San Francisco and New York, some enterprising chef got the idea of making an insanely rich pasta dish and naming it for her.

Who first cooked turkey? ›

Turkey meat has been eaten by indigenous peoples from Mexico, Central America, and the southern tier of the United States since antiquity. In the 15th century, Spanish conquistadores took Aztec turkeys back to Europe. Turkey was eaten in as early as the 16th century in England.

Where did the turducken recipe come from? ›

Where did turducken originate? While many debate the exact time and place turducken was invented, most agree it's very much a South Central Louisiana creation straight from the Cajun heartland that was later popularized by famed Chef Paul Prudhomme.

What is the difference between Ala King and tetrazzini? ›

It turns out the difference is that Chicken Tetrazzini has cheese in it and Chicken à la King does not. In the 1950s, you would open a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, a package of frozen peas, carrots, a can of sliced mushrooms, some Velveeta cheese, and chicken or turkey and voila...an abomination!

What is pasta and tomato sauce called? ›

Pasta Pomodoro, or Pasta al Pomodoro as it's called in Italy, is a simple yet delicious dish of spaghetti or rigatoni tossed with a rich, basil-infused tomato sauce.

What is a chunky pasta sauce called? ›

Marinara sauce isn't simmered at length, so it has a chunky, watery texture that's different from other types of pasta sauce.

What is traditional pasta sauce made of? ›

A classic pasta sauce crafted with vine-ripened tomatoes and well-storied passion. Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Salt, Olive Oil, Sugar, Dehydrated Onions, Dehydrated Garlic, Spices, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder.

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