Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (2024)

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Katerina

5 from 4 votes

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Creamy Baked Turkey Tetrazzini is one of my best leftover turkey recipes! This simple, classic pasta bake is made with tender cooked spaghetti and turkey tossed in a homemade mushroom cream sauce, then baked beneath a layer of crunchy panko and parmesan. It’s the perfect lazy, post-holiday meal to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers.

Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (2)

If you’re wondering what to do with a bucketload of leftover roast turkey, you’ll love this delicious and creamy turkey tetrazzini!I don’t know about you, but once Thanksgiving has come and gone, I don’t even want to look at my oven for at least a week. This is why I opt to get this Baked Turkey Tetrazzini recipe cooked the day after Thanksgiving while there’s still leftover turkey in the fridge. I bake it all up into this easy, one-shot, garlicky turkey recipe to tide us over for the next few days.

Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (3)

    Turkey Tetrazzini Ingredients

    • Spaghetti: You’ll need about a pound of spaghetti.
    • Butter and Olive Oil
    • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic.
    • Baby Bella Mushrooms: Any white or brown mushrooms will work, but I like to use baby mushrooms.
    • Chicken Broth: I use a low-sodium broth or stock so that the recipe doesn’t come out overly salty.
    • Flour: Just regular all-purpose flour, for thickening the mushroom sauce.
    • Heavy Cream: You can use half-and-half or 2% milk if you prefer it lighter.
    • Leftover Turkey: Gather up that leftover cooked turkey from the fridge, and chop it into bite-sized chunks.
    • Mozzarella Cheese: I melt shredded mozzarella into the cream sauce for next-level ooey-gooey, melty creaminess.
    • Frozen Peas: Totally optional.
    • Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko crumbs make the best topping for baked pasta recipes.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated, to combine with the panko for extra flavor.
    • Salt and Pepper

    How to Make Baked Turkey Tetrazzini

    While the oven preheats, get your spaghetti cooked al dente according to the directions on the package. Set aside the pasta, along with a greased baking dish, and then get started on the cream sauce.

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    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (5)
    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (6)
    1. Make the Mushroom Sauce: Saute the garlic in a Dutch oven with butter and olive oil, then add the mushrooms and a half cup of chicken broth. After a few minutes, add the rest of the butter and additional olive oil, and then whisk in the flour. Finally, pour in the remaining broth along with heavy cream. Toss in a pinch of salt and pepper, then simmer to thicken.
    2. Add Turkey: Next, stir the chopped turkey, shredded mozzarella, and green peas into the sauce.
    3. Add Spaghetti: Next, toss the spaghetti in the cream sauce to coat. Transfer the spaghetti and sauce to the baking dish and then mix up the topping.
    4. Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together the panko, parmesan, and the last of the olive oil. Spread the topping evenly over the top of the spaghetti in the pan.
    5. Bake: Finally, bake the tetrazzini at 350ºF until the top is crisp and golden, between 22 to 25 minutes. Be sure to let the casserole rest on the counter for 10 minutes or so, before serving.
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    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (8)
    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (9)

    Recipe Tips And Variations

    • Extra Cheese: For even more cheesiness, stir a blend of cheeses into the sauce. Mix mozzarella with other melty varieties like, grated cheddar or provolone.
    • Add Herbs: Bring additional flavor to your tetrazzini with fresh or dried herbs, like parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and/or rosemary.
    • Add Veggies: Add extra veggies such as diced zucchini, carrots, or even cherry tomatoes. It’s also another great excuse to use up more Thanksgiving leftovers, like Honey Roasted Butternut Squash or Roasted Green Beans.
    • Chicken Tetrazzini: This recipe is a wonderful way to use up leftover holiday turkey. However, it’s just as good when I make it with chopped cooked chicken, too! You can also swap out turkey or chicken for diced holiday ham instead.
    • Add Bacon: Smokey, crispy cooked bacon is great to add to the mushroom sauce or sprinkle overtop once the tetrazzini is baked.
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    Serving Suggestions

    A cozy baked turkey tetrazzini goes with a crusty No-Knead Skillet Bread and my Apple Bacon Salad with Homemade Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette. Don’t forget the Breadsticks, Sweet and Spicy Carrots and Green Beans, or this Kale Quinoa Salad. My Roasted Potatoes and Carrots and this Crispy Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli would pair well, too.

    Storing and Reheating Leftovers

    • This baked turkey tetrazzini can be stored airtight in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the turkey tetrazzini overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven.
    • Reheat portions in the oven at 350ºF, or in the microwave until warmed through.
    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (11)

    More Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

    • Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Casserole
    • Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas
    • Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
    • Leftover Turkey Salad Sandwiches
    • Turkey Corn Chowder

    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe! (12)

    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini

    Katerina | Diethood

    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini is a simple pasta bake prepared with tender spaghetti and leftover cooked turkey tossed in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce.

    5 from 4 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 10 servings

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    Prep Time 20 minutes mins

    Cook Time 40 minutes mins

    Resting Time 10 minutes mins

    Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350˚F.

    • Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

    • Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Drain.

    • Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch Oven set over medium heat.

    • Stir in the garlic and cook for about 15 seconds, or until fragrant.

    • Add in the mushrooms and ½ cup chicken broth; cook for 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft.

    • Add remaining butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, and whisk in the flour.

    • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

    • Slowly add in remaining chicken broth and heavy cream; whisk until completely smooth.

    • Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer; cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened.

    • Stir in the chopped turkey, mozzarella cheese, and peas.

    • Add the cooked spaghetti and toss until well combined.

    • Transfer the mixture to previously prepared baking dish. Set aside.

    • In a mixing bowl combine the panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, and remaining olive oil.

    • Sprinkle the panko mixture over the top of the baking dish.

    • Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until golden on top.

    • Remove from oven and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    • Pasta: I use spaghetti to make Tetrazzini, but you can use any kind of noodles that you like, or have on hand.
    • Turkey: This is a great recipe for Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, but don’t stop there! You can always use leftover chicken or even chopped up seafood.
    • Cheese: Mozzarella is my go-to for turkey tetrazzini, but you can mix it up with a bit of shredded cheddar and provolone.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 872 kcal | Carbohydrates: 47 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 70 g | Saturated Fat: 25 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28 g | Trans Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 98 mg | Sodium: 273 mg | Potassium: 424 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 720 IU | Vitamin C: 6 mg | Calcium: 149 mg | Iron: 2 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Dinner, Lunch

    Cuisine: American

    Keyword: leftover turkey recipes, pasta bake, pasta casserole recipe, thanksgiving leftover recipes

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Dinner Recipes
    • Freezer Friendly Meals
    • Holidays
    • Pasta
    • Recipes
    • Thanksgiving
    Baked Turkey Tetrazzini - Easy Leftover Turkey 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 the difference between Tetrazzini and a La King? ›

    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 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.

    Who created turkey Tetrazzini? ›

    The book San Francisco: A Food Biography does a deep-dive into the history of the dish, noting that the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, helmed by Chef Ernest Arbogast in 1905, is the person who was so inspired by Luisa Tetrazzini that he created the dish and named it after her.

    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.

    What is tetrazzini in English? ›

    a hodgepodge; confused medley; jumble. an extensive array or variety. total obscuration in an eclipse.

    Where was turkey Tetrazzini invented? ›

    There are various stories about the origin of the dish. One story, probably the best known, has it that the dish was invented by Ernest Arbogast, then chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, where the singer lived for many years.

    Where does Tetrazzini originate 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 Ala King sauce made of? ›

    Ingredients. Corn starch, Wheat flour, Salt, Modified milk ingredients, Dehydrated vegetables (onion, carrot, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic), High oleic sunflower oil, Disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, Natural flavour, Spices and herbs, Citric acid.

    How long is leftover turkey good for? ›

    USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

    When was turkey Tetrazzini invented? ›

    The original dish is named after the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. It is widely believed to have been invented circa 1908–1910 by Ernest Arbogast, the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where Tetrazzini made her American debut at the Tivoli as Gilda in Rigoletto on January 11, 1905.

    What is pasta called in turkey? ›

    Manti is usually eaten as a main dish. Minced chicken and quail meats are also used to prepare mantı in some regions of Turkey. Homemade pasta is called "erişte" in Turkey.

    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.

    Who invented turducken? ›

    The History of Turducken

    The late Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme claimed to have invented the turducken (a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken) in the 1970s. He became synonymous with the dish—and even trademarked the name in 1986 (Turducken™).

    What is turkey casserole made of? ›

    Mix turkey, celery, pimento peppers, almonds, and salt into mushroom soup mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted, 30 to 40 minutes.

    What is cream pasta sauce called? ›

    Types of pasta sauce with cream and butter
    • Alfredo. A good alfredo sauce starts with generous amounts of both cream and butter to create a thick, wholesome sauce that pairs well with a long noodle such as linguine. ...
    • Brown butter sauce. ...
    • Burro. ...
    • Cacio e pepe. ...
    • Carbonara.
    Feb 2, 2022

    What is pasta and tomato sauce called? ›

    Tomato-based sauces served with pasta are commonly referred to as "pasta sauce" or "Napoletana sauce".

    What is a chunky pasta sauce called? ›

    Marinara sauce is only cooked for about 30 minutes, not enough time to break down the tomatoes, so it's chunky and a bit watery. In addition to the base ingredients, other spices like oregano, black pepper and red pepper flakes can be added for more flavor, as is common in the United States.

    What is traditional pasta sauce made of? ›

    Marinara sauce, or pasta sauce is a slow-simmered sauce that is often made with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. In America, we often refer to marinara as a meatless, tomato-based sauce. Spaghetti sauce is essentially any sauce that you put on spaghetti.

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