One of my favorite ways to use turkey leftovers is making turkey tetrazzini. The rich, creamy sauce combined with a generous amount of turkey and baked into a pasta casserole make this a comfort meal that everyone looks forward to.
Table of Contents
What is Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey Tetrazzini, or turkey casserole, is a pasta casserole consisting of cooked mushrooms and shredded turkey combined into a creamy sauce, mixed into a casserole dish of pasta, and baked together to create a savory dish that will have you coming back for more.
How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey tetrazzini is a delicious way to make use of your leftover turkey. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this savory dish.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius).
2. Cook pasta until al dente per the instructions on the package.
3. While the pasta is cooking, melt two tablespoons of butter into a large skillet and cook the mushrooms until they are dark in color (around 6-8 minutes).
4. Melt a stick of butter on medium heat in the same pan that you cooked the mushrooms. Once the butter is melted, add the flour to the butter and stir into a rue. Cook until the rue turns a light brown (around 5 minutes), making sure you stir continuously so it doesn’t burn.
5. Once the rue is brown, add the turkey (or chicken) broth and half and half. Increase the heat to medium high, stirring frequently so the cream doesn’t burn. As you stir, make sure to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan as this will add flavor.
6. Once the sauce comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low and stir for a few minutes until the sauce is thickened.
7. Add mushrooms back to the pan along with the turkey, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Stir until everything is combined and the cheese is melted.
8. Add the pasta to a greased casserole dish and pour the sauce over the pasta. Gently combine with a fork.
9. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Farenheit (176 Celsius) for 30 minutes.
10. Serve and enjoy!
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pot for Cooking Pasta
- 1 Pan for Cooking Sauce
- 1 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 24 oz. Pasta
- 4 Cups Cooked Turkey Shredded
- 10 Tbsp. Butter
- 8 Tbsp. All Purpose Flour
- 3 Cups Half and Half
- 10 oz. Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp. Nutmeg
- 5 Cups Turkey Broth or Chicken Broth
- 16 oz. Sliced White Mushrooms
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. White Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius).
- Cook pasta until al dente per the instructions on the package.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt two tablespoons of butter into a large skillet and cook the mushrooms until they are dark in color (around 6-8 minutes).
- Melt a stick of butter on medium heat in the same pan that you cooked the mushrooms. Once the butter is melted, add the flour to the butter and stir into a rue. Cook until the rue turns a light brown (around 5 minutes), making sure you stir continuously so it doesn't burn.
- Once the rue is brown, add the turkey (or chicken) broth and half and half. Increase the heat to medium high, stirring frequently so the cream doesn't burn. As you stir, make sure to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan as this will add flavor.
- Once the sauce comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low and stir for a few minutes until the sauce is thickened.
- Add mushrooms back to the pan along with the turkey, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. Stir until everything is combined and the cheese is melted.
- Add the pasta to a greased casserole dish and pour the sauce over the pasta. Gently combine with a fork.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Farenheit (176 Celsius) for 30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turkey tetrazzini gluten-free?
Unless specifically stated otherwise, turkey tetrazzini does contain gluten as it contains pasta and the sauce contains flour. However, if you make it yourself using a gluten-free pasta and gluten-free flour, even those sensitive to gluten can enjoy turkey tetrazzini.
Is turkey tetrazzini Italian?
No, while the name sounds Italian, turkey tetrazzini is not an Italian dish. It’s believed to have originated in San Francisco.
Final Thoughts on Turkey Tetrazzini
Using our turkey leftovers to make a delicious turkey tetrazzini is one of my family’s holiday traditions that we look forward to. The thought of turkey tetrazzini brings to mind a lit Christmas tree and Holiday movies with my family. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does! Happy cooking!
Check out the following links for more recipes:
Rutabaga: What it is and How to Prepare It
Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Drippings
Also, for more great videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.