The Ultimate Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole: A Perfect Leftover Recipe
This turkey tetrazzini recipe is a true culinary marvel, transforming simple leftover turkey into a hearty, deeply satisfying casserole. Imagine tender pasta, succulent pieces of turkey, all enveloped in a rich, creamy, and incredibly cheesy sauce. Baked until it’s bubbly and achieves a beautiful golden-brown crust, this dish promises warmth and comfort with every spoonful. It’s the ideal solution for post-holiday feasting or any time you crave an effortless yet delicious meal.
Why This Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe is a Must-Try
Turkey Tetrazzini is not just a recipe; it’s a brilliant culinary strategy, especially after a grand feast like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Who wouldn’t appreciate a rich, cheesy, and incredibly comforting casserole the day after spending hours meticulously preparing a massive holiday meal? This dish effortlessly turns your precious leftovers into an entirely new, equally impressive main course, saving you from food waste and cooking fatigue.
This bubbling baked delight masterfully combines your leftover turkey with a homemade-tasting cream sauce, vibrant peas, your favorite pasta, and an abundance of melted cheese. The result is the ultimate turkey hot dish – a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Its beauty lies in its simplicity; you merely layer the ingredients in a casserole dish, and the oven does the rest, creating a meal that feels both gourmet and incredibly easy. It’s the perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and deliciousness, ensuring no one ever tires of turkey leftovers!
Essential Ingredients for Your Turkey Tetrazzini
Crafting this delightful casserole requires a few key ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand, especially after a holiday feast. We’re focusing on simple, accessible components that come together to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of what you’ll need. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
TURKEY – This recipe truly shines as a way to utilize your leftover cooked turkey. Whether you have remnants of a beautifully roasted Thanksgiving turkey or you’ve specifically prepped a batch of crockpot turkey breast for this purpose, any cooked turkey will work wonderfully. You have the flexibility to either shred the turkey for a more integrated texture or cube it into bite-sized pieces for distinct meaty bites – both methods are equally delicious. For those who prefer chicken or don’t have turkey on hand, simply swap it out! You can easily adapt this recipe or head over to our dedicated chicken tetrazzini recipe for a similar experience.
SAUCE – Our creamy foundation relies on a combination of two 10 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup and one 10 oz can of cream of chicken soup. This blend offers a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the turkey. However, feel absolutely free to customize this! If you prefer a single flavor profile, using only cream of mushroom or only cream of chicken soup (totaling three cans) will yield fantastic results. If you find the sauce too thick for your liking, you can easily adjust its consistency. Reduce the total number of cream soups to two cans, or simply add a little extra chicken stock (or even milk) until it reaches your desired creaminess. For a more wholesome, homemade touch, consider preparing our homemade cream of chicken soup to use as a base. Beyond the soups, fresh sour cream adds a tangy richness that balances the other savory elements beautifully. Don’t forget the canned peas for a pop of color and sweetness, but if you prefer, frozen peas (thawed) work just as well, or you can swap them for other vegetables like blanched broccoli florets, sautéed sliced mushrooms, or even diced carrots.
PASTA – The beauty of tetrazzini is its versatility with pasta. While we typically favor spaghetti for its classic look and comforting twirl, almost any noodle will be delicious. Fettuccine or linguine provide a wider surface area to cling to the creamy sauce, while delicate angel hair pasta offers a lighter mouthfeel. Shorter pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or egg noodles are excellent choices too, especially for easier serving and for little ones. The key is to cook your chosen pasta al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven and you want it to retain a pleasant bite.
CHEESE – A generous blend of cheeses is paramount for that irresistible gooey, golden top and creamy interior. We recommend a mix of grated Parmesan for its salty, nutty depth, shredded cheddar for its classic sharp flavor, and shredded mozzarella for its incredible meltiness and stretch. This combination ensures a balanced flavor and a perfect casserole texture. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or even a hint of smoked Gouda for a different twist.
How to Make This Delicious Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This ensures your casserole bakes evenly from the moment it enters the oven. While the oven preheats, lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. A thin layer of cooking spray or butter will prevent the pasta and sauce from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Next, cook your chosen spaghetti noodles according to the package directions. It’s crucial to cook them until they are just al dente – slightly firm to the bite. Remember, the pasta will continue to cook and absorb moisture in the oven, so slightly undercooking it now will prevent it from becoming mushy later. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the heart of your tetrazzini. Add the chopped or shredded turkey, all three cans of cream soup (mushroom and chicken), drained peas, rich sour cream, low-sodium chicken stock, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the sauce is smooth and uniform. This ensures every bite of your casserole is packed with flavor.
- Once your sauce is perfectly mixed, add the cooked and drained spaghetti noodles to the large bowl with the turkey mixture. Gently toss everything together using tongs or a large spatula until the spaghetti is completely coated in the creamy sauce. Take care not to break the noodles too much during this step.
- Carefully transfer the spaghetti and turkey mixture into your prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Now comes the best part: the cheese! Generously sprinkle the ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, followed by the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole. This layer will melt into a glorious, golden crust.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. This initial covered baking period allows the casserole to heat through evenly and for the flavors to meld beautifully without drying out. After 30 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly, melted, and a gorgeous golden brown.
- For a final touch, once out of the oven, optionally garnish your turkey tetrazzini with a sprinkle of additional grated Parmesan cheese and a generous handful of fresh chopped parsley. The parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note and a beautiful pop of color that elevates the dish’s presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Turkey Tetrazzini
Storing your leftover turkey tetrazzini properly is key to enjoying it for days to come. Transfer any remaining casserole into an air-tight container and keep it refrigerated. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. When it’s time to reheat, you might notice the sauce has thickened slightly. To help loosen it up and restore its creamy texture, add a splash of water, chicken stock, or milk before reheating. Individual portions can be quickly warmed in the microwave, or for the entire casserole, reheat it covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through.
Absolutely! Turkey tetrazzini freezes beautifully, making it an excellent meal prep option. Once the casserole has completely cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe, air-tight container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covered, for about 30-45 minutes, adding a bit of liquid if needed to maintain creaminess. You can also bake it from frozen, though it will require a longer baking time (around 60-90 minutes, covered, then uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes).
Yes, this is a fantastic make-ahead dish! You can assemble the entire casserole, including the cheese topping, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the preheated oven. You might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it heats through evenly.
The consistency of your sauce is key to a perfect tetrazzini. If your sauce feels too thin, you can try reducing the amount of chicken stock slightly, or if you prefer, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce mixture before baking. If it’s too thick, simply add more chicken stock or milk, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired creamy consistency.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey tetrazzini is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to round out your dinner. A classic choice is a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich casserole. Warm garlic bread or soft dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce. For added texture and a delightful crunch, consider topping the casserole with buttered breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers during the last 10-15 minutes of baking – it creates an irresistible golden-brown crust. You could also serve it alongside some simply steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a side of cranberry sauce to evoke those wonderful holiday flavors.
More Comforting Turkey & Chicken Recipes to Try
- Turkey Carbonara
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie
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Turkey Tetrazzini
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound dried spaghetti
- 1 ½ pounds leftover cooked turkey chopped into bite-sized chunks. about 6 cups worth
- 20 ounces cream of mushroom soup two 10 ounce cans
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 14 ounces canned peas drained
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking dish
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Large mixing bowl
Before You Begin
- This recipe uses leftover turkey. You can use leftover Thanksgiving roasted turkey or prep a batch of crockpot turkey breast. Feel free to shred or cube the turkey, both ways will work well.
- We used two 10 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup as well as a 10 oz can of cream of chicken soup. If you’d like to use only cream of mushroom or cream of chicken, go right ahead!
- This particular sauce is quite thick, to minimize the thickness of it reduce the count of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups to 2 cans total instead of 3, or simply add more chicken stock to loosen it up. For an alternative to canned soup, try our homemade cream of chicken soup.
- If preferred, you can use frozen peas instead of canned peas or substitute them with broccoli florets or sliced mushrooms.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325F and lightly grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
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Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions, removing from the water once they are al dente.
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In a large bowl add the turkey, soups, peas, sour cream, chicken stock, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground pepper and mix well.
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Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce and mix until well combined.
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Add the spaghetti and turkey mixture into the casserole dish and top with ¼ cup parmesan cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella.
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Bake for 30 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Remove aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
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Optionally garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might want to add a bit of water, chicken stock, or milk to help loosen it up. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire casserole in a 350F oven for around 25-30 minutes, covered.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.