Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini
Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini is the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers with chunks of turkey, peas, mushrooms, and a rich cream sauce. It’s so easy and delicious that my family expects it every year after the holiday!!
Years ago, while looking for Turkey Leftover Recipes, I tried this Turkey Casserole on a whim. It was so well-loved by the family that it’s now a post-Thanksgiving tradition!
Why You Must Make
- It’s a terrific way to use up the last of the Thanksgiving turkey.
- Made with a creamy sauce, it’s delicious!
- If my picky family approves, then yours will, too.
I did not grow up eating tetrazzini, in fact, I don’t even think I knew what it was when I was leafing through my Joy of Cooking the day after Thanksgiving years ago. The recipe called for chicken (but I knew I could sub turkey), noodles, mushrooms, and cream, all of which I had on hand. I add peas for a pop of color and to incorporate a vegetable into the dish.
This homemade turkey casserole was meant to be. Making this casserole has become a once-a-year, post-Thanksgiving event.
The next Thanksgiving, I was asked to make this turkey leftover recipe again. Apparently, the kiddos, who were not usually fans of casserole-type dishes, approved. So our annual tradition is to eat days and days of leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. When there is only a bit of meat clinging to the bones, I cross my fingers and hope to pick off at least three cups from the carcass so I can whip up this tetrazzini recipe.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Butter, Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Turkey Meat (or Chicken) – 2-3 cups, cubed or shredded.
- Small Pasta – 8 ounces. I like farfalle (bow ties) or orecchiette (small shells that resemble ears).
- Mushrooms – I use button mushrooms, sliced in half. They will be sauteed in butter before adding to the pasta.
- Peas – I use defrosted frozen peas.
- White Wine – I keep cooking sherry or vermouth in my fridge to use in cooking. You can also use any white wine you happen to have open.
- Flour – I prefer Wondra Flour which is a granular, quick-mixing flour that’s less likely to form lumps when making sauces and gravy. If you’re a gravy pro, all-purpose flour will also work well.
- Chicken Broth – I use the Pacific brand. If you use another brand, you may need to reduce the added salt as some broths are very salty.
- Whipping Cream – Heated. Warm gently in the microwave.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Look for Parmesano Reggiano; never use the green can of cheese that’s on the store shelf. Sprinkle over the casserole before baking.
How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini
- Cut leftover turkey into bite-sized chunks or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook pasta in salted water, and drain.
- Saute mushrooms and taste for seasoning.
- Make the sauce with chicken broth.
- Add warm cream to the sauce.
- Toss the pasta, turkey, mushrooms, and peas with the cream sauce.
- Pour into a casserole dish, sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired, and bake until lightly browned and heated through.
Turkey Leftover Recipes
Today, I’m sharing one of our favorite recipes utilizing Thanksgiving leftovers, and much as I’d like to cook up something new and different, Turkey Tetrazzini is always on our menu the weekend after the holiday. And I don’t mind one bit.
There is always some cream in the refrigerator, leftover from whipping up a bowlful to dollop on our pumpkin pie. Grated Parmesan, frozen peas, chicken broth, and pasta are also staples. I just make sure to have fresh mushrooms on hand, though a jar or can of mushrooms is a wonderful pantry alternative.
Transformed from Thanksgiving leftovers, I hope you’ll give this homemade turkey tetrazzini recipe a try. Don’t forget to try it with chicken for the rest of the year!
Recipe Tips
- For those gravy impaired like me, Wondra“quick mixing” flour blends easily without forming lumps. (affiliate link)
- If your family loves turkey tetrazzini, you can use chicken when you don’t have leftover turkey.
- This recipe calls for warm whipping cream. I like to gently warm the cream in a 2 cup Pyrex liquid measuring cup, watching it carefully so it doesn’t boil over and make a mess.
What to Serve with Tetrazzini
Tetrazzini has protein, carbs, and a smattering of vegetables, but a couple of side dishes are a nice addition to the menu. Garlic Bread is wonderful, plus a tossed green salad. Roasted vegetables like Parmesan Green Beans or Balsamic Carrots are delicious additions, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
The original dish is a rich entree made with spaghetti, strips of chicken, and a sauce of sherry, Parmesan, and cream. It is topped with bread crumbs or Parmesan and baked until hot and bubbly.
It was said to be named after Luisa Tetrazzini, an opera singer. It is not an Italian dish, but instead American. Turkey is often substituted for chicken.
Both tetrazzini and Alfredo have a sauce made with cream and Parmesan. Alfredo also has butter and is served tossed with wide, flat fettuccine pasta. Tetrazzini is traditionally made with spaghetti and is baked.
Though chicken is most classic, and turkey is an obvious substitution, shrimp is also a tasty addition. Peas are not classic but a nice addition, or even the combination of frozen peas and carrots.
For an extra cheesy casserole, add some shredded mozzarella or white cheddar towards the end of the baking time. Or you can add it to the turkey mixture before placing it in the baking dish.
Yes, it can be prepped the day before and placed in a casserole dish. Cover tightly and store overnight in the refrigerator. The baking time will need to be extended when cooking a cold casserole.
Keep it covered tightly in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months if stored airtight. Just defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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- Pumpkin Gingersnap Truffles by Chocolate Moosey
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- Turkey Enchilada Casserole
- Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup
- Turkey and Brie Grilled Cheese
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Turkey Tetrazzini
A delicious pasta, turkey, mushroom and cream sauce casserole for your turkey leftovers.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded or cubed cooked turkey meat
- ½ pound pasta, I use orcchiette or farfalle, cooked in well-salted water and drained
- ½ pound (or more!) mushrooms, trimmed and cut in half or sliced
- 3 tablespoons sherry (or white wine)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour (Wondra preferred as it doesn't lump)
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream, warmed ( I gently heat in the microwave in a Pyrex measuring cup)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Sauté mushrooms in butter in a large saucepan till lightly browned. Add salt and pepper to taste. Deglaze the pan by adding sherry, cooking, and stirring until most evaporates.
- Remove mushrooms and add flour to the pan. Cook for just a minute, then add the chicken broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Cook till the mixture thickens slightly.
- Add the warm cream and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat. Add the turkey, peas, and reserved mushrooms.
- Taste for seasoning, and add more salt and pepper as needed.
- Place pasta into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish (I use a smaller dish for a deeper casserole).
- Add the chicken, mushrooms, and peas, and sauce to the pasta. Mix to combine.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan. (Alternatively, toss the pasta with the sauce, chicken, mushrooms, and peas.
- Bake till lightly browned and heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
Notes
Adapted from The Joy of Cooking
Helpful Tools (As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases).
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 423mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 21g
13 Comments on “Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini”
What temperature do you preheat the oven?
375 degrees! Thanks for checking, Joel. Will add that important info to the recipe!!!
Once upon a time, I had a great turkey tettrazini recipe but I lost the paper recipe card that had the recipe written on. I’ve never found another recipe for this delicious turkey leftover dish until now. I KNOW that your recipe has to be superb. Thank you Liz!
xo
Roz
Loving this version of tetrazzini. Perhaps because I am so partial to bow ties. Hope you had a great turkey day Liz!
Dear Liz, what a fabulous recipe for all leftover turkey (or chicken) – this looks like it would be a hit with my family as well. How nice that it has been a tradition at your house for years now – isn’t it it wonderful to cook ‘traditional’ meals that everyone can agree on?!
This is the very best dish for turkey leftovers! What a gorgeous presentation. I’ve never made it with bowtie, but that’s going to change. I just love the looks of it and it seems to fit better with the chunks of turkey. Thanks Liz!
We are always praying for leftovers so we can enjoy a delicious creamy turkey tetrazzini. The boys made a huge dent in the bird but maybe enough left to try your delicious recipes. Take Care
Turkey tetrazzini is one of my favorite comfort foods. The timing on this is perfect because of all the turkey leftovers I have right now. Can’t wait to make this again!!
With a delicious meal such as this one, left overs are never an issue.
Yum!!! Similar to our favourite Turkey-A-La-King except with pasta and baked as a casserole – love it!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Liz!
No wonder your family expects this dish every year after the holiday – it’s delicious! Pasta, turkey, mushrooms, peas, and a creamy sauce – that’s a heavenly combination. Since turkey leftovers don’t happen too often throughout the year (Unfair!), I often make a similar dish, just with some chicken breasts instead.
I love repurposing leftovers and you made a great meal out of Turkey sounds wonderful hope you have a blessed holiday with you and your family
So creamy and tasty…a perfect recipe for holiday leftover, Liz.