If you are looking for a recipe to use up your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, then you are going to love this Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe. A creamy pasta comfort food recipe that includes chunks of tender pieces of turkey and sliced mushrooms tossed with spaghetti noodles in a homemade cream sauce.
The ingredients are then poured into a casserole dish and topped with shredded cheese. The casserole cooks until it is hot and bubbly and the cheese melts on top.
It is a crowd pleasing recipe that transitions your leftover turkey into something spectacular that the entire family will enjoy! It is one of our favorite meals to make after Thanksgiving.
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.
Don’t let the long list of ingredients intimidate you. Most of the items you probably already have stocked in your pantry or refrigerator, especially if you prepared Thanksgiving dinner.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 cups cooked & shredded turkey
- 1 pound dry spaghetti noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms – sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock, low-sodium
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Then spray a 9 X 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set the baking dish aside while you prepare the recipe.
Cook The Pasta
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling add the spaghetti noodles and cook 1 minute before the time given for al’ dente in the instructions on the package.
Drain then drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta and toss. Set aside.
Saute The Vegetables For Turkey Tetrazzini
3. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Then add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the mushrooms start to release liquid. Add the minced garlic and cook and stir constantly for 1 minute so that the garlic doesn’t get too brown.
4. Quickly add the white wine to the pot and then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.
5. Increase the heat to medium and then add the remaining butter. Once melted add in the flour, whisking constantly to form a paste to thicken up the sauce for the turkey tetrazzini.
6. While still whisking, slowly add the chicken broth. Continue to whisk until no flour clumps are visible.
7. Once there are no longer clumps of flour, add the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
Add The Leftover Turkey
8. Add the turkey, frozen peas (if using), and half of the cheese and stir. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes, giving the cheese ample time to melt.
9. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti noodles and then toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and add more salt & pepper to taste. Then sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese.
Baking Time Required
10. Cover the dish with foil and then place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
11. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Many People Will This Recipe Feed?
A typical pasta casserole baked in a 9 x 13 baking dish will make 8 servings. However, you can stretch the servings a little more if needed by serving it with other side dishes.
2. What Can I Serve With Turkey Tetrazzini
Of course any type of roll or bread product goes well with pasta dishes. Homemade Rolls, Garlic Knots, or Texas Toast 4 Cheese Garlic Bread are easy options.
As for a side dish that pairs well, a simple garden salad, applesauce or garlic green beans are all great accompaniments to this recipe.
3. Can I Leave The Peas Out?
If you aren’t a fan of the taste of peas or you don’t like the mushy texture, you can simply leave the peas out. Although, if you want to sneak a vegetable in the mix, add frozen corn or green beans in instead.
4. How Do I Store Leftovers?
You can store leftovers in a covered dish in the refrigerator. However, keep in mind that because this is a leftover turkey recipe, this recipe should be eaten within 1-2 days of making it.
5. Can I Freeze The Leftovers?
Although pasta typically doesn’t freeze and reheat well, you can freeze the leftovers. However, when you go to reheat it, the pasta will be much softer.
Other Leftover Turkey Recipes
Although this turkey tetrazzini is one of my favorite leftover turkey recipes, you may be looking for something else that inspires you. Of course, you can never go wrong with a turkey sandwich, but eventually you may want to try something else.
Also remember that any recipe that calls for leftover rotisserie chicken, you can substitute leftover turkey in place of the chicken. Therefore, I have included those recipes below as well.
Oven Baked Recipes
- Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
- Turkey Noodle Casserole For Two
- Rotisserie Chicken and Potato Casserole
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Stove Top Recipes
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Recipes
- Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Casserole
- Instant Pot Southwestern Turkey Soup
- Instant Pot Turkey Tetrazzini
Tailgate Dips
Burgers
Enjoy! Mary
To receive our 3 Recipe Articles in your inbox each week, sign up for our free email list located in the middle of each recipe or email me at contact@makeyourmeals.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest. This article may contain affiliate links where a small commission is paid if you purchase a product at no additional cost to you.
Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
A delicious turkey spaghetti casserole that is full of flavor. A great use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
Ingredients
- 5 cups cooked & shredded turkey
- 1 pound dry spaghetti noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms - sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock, low-sodium
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9 X 13 inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook 1 minute before the time given for al' dente in the instructions on the package. Drain, drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta and toss. Set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the mushrooms start to release liquid. Add the minced garlic and cook and stir constantly for 1 minute so that the garlic doesn't get too brown.
4. Quickly add the white wine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.
5. Increase the heat to medium and add the remaining butter. Once melted add in the flour, whisking constantly to form a thick paste.
6. While still whisking, slowly add the chicken broth. Continue to whisk until no flour clumps are visible.
7. Add the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
8. Add the turkey, frozen peas, and half of the cheese and stir. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes, giving the cheese ample time to melt.
9. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti noodles and toss to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and add more salt & pepper to taste. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese.
10. Cover the dish with foil and place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
11. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you don't have leftover turkey you can use cooked and shredded chicken.
Recipe provided by Make Your Meals
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 570Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 768mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 37g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.