Easy & Delicious Joy Of Cooking Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Turkey tetrazzini emerges as a comforting classic that transforms leftover poultry into a restaurant-worthy casserole.

Classic Italian-American cuisine meets home cooking with this hearty pasta dish that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe balances rich, creamy textures with delicate protein and earthy mushroom undertones.

Pasta lovers and comfort food enthusiasts will appreciate its seamless blend of familiar ingredients and elegant preparation.

Weeknight dinners get an instant upgrade with this crowd-pleasing meal that speaks to both nostalgic memories and contemporary tastes.

Every forkful promises a harmonious symphony of flavors that dance between creamy, savory, and satisfying sensations.

Home cooks seeking a reliable, impressive dish that comes together quickly will adore this timeless recipe: prepare to be delighted.

Embrace The Comforting Allure Of Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Comfort Food Masterpiece: This turkey tetrazzini transforms humble leftovers into a creamy, luxurious casserole that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia, perfect for family dinners or weekend comfort meals.
• Quick and Flexible Cooking: With just 55 minutes from start to finish, this recipe allows easy ingredient swaps like different pasta types, proteins, or adding vegetables, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking versatility.
• Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between the silky, rich sauce, tender turkey pieces, soft pasta, and crispy golden bread crumb topping that creates an exciting sensory journey in every single bite.
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Utilizing leftover turkey and simple pantry ingredients, this dish elevates affordable components into a restaurant-quality meal that feels elegant yet economical, proving delicious cooking doesn't require expensive ingredients.

Key Ingredients For Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Egg Noodles, Macaroni, Spaghetti: Classic pasta options that create the base of this comforting dish, providing hearty texture and substance.

• Cooked Turkey: Tender, chopped meat that adds protein and rich flavor to the casserole, great for using leftover roasted or grilled turkey.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, creamy sauce, essential for binding ingredients together.
• Whole Milk, Half-and-Half: Creates a luxurious, creamy base for the sauce, adding depth and richness to the dish.
• Chicken Stock or Broth: Enhances overall flavor and helps create a silky, smooth sauce consistency.
• Dry Sherry (Optional): Adds a sophisticated, complex flavor to the sauce, providing a subtle depth.

• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and tender texture, providing extra depth to the casserole.

• Bread Crumbs: Creates a crispy, golden-brown topping that adds delightful crunch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, nutty flavor to the topping, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

How To Prepare Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

• Egg noodles
• Macaroni
• Spaghetti

Cook until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Mushroom Base

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms for 5 minutes until they become tender and release their moisture.

Step 4: Develop the Creamy Sauce

• Chicken stock
• Whole milk or half-and-half
• Dry sherry (optional)

Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes silky.

Step 5: Combine Turkey and Sauce

Fold chopped cooked turkey into the creamy mushroom sauce, ensuring even distribution.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Mix the drained pasta with the turkey-mushroom sauce. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Step 7: Add the Crispy Topping

In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dot the top of the casserole with of cubed butter. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes until the sauce bubbles and the top turns a beautiful golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting classic!

Handy Pointers For Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Boost Mushroom Magic: Crush fresh garlic and slice onions simultaneously to unlock deeper, more intense flavor profiles in your dish.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap turkey with rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted meat, or even flaky canned tuna for a quick pantry-friendly meal.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: Gradually increase flour by tablespoon increments to control sauce thickness without compromising texture.
• Spice It Up: Sprinkle smoked paprika or crushed dried thyme for unexpected warmth and complexity that elevates the entire casserole.
• Leftover Love: Transform yesterday's poultry into a creamy, comforting masterpiece that feels like a brand new meal.

Tips For Storing Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract air completely from a heavy-duty freezer bag using a vacuum sealer. This technique prevents freezer burn and maintains the dish's original texture, protecting delicate pasta and creamy sauce from moisture degradation.
• Portioning Method: Divide leftover Turkey Tetrazzini into individual serving sizes before storing. Smaller portions reheat faster, reduce waste, and allow flexible meal planning without compromising overall dish quality.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled Turkey Tetrazzini into glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Transparent containers enable easy ingredient visibility, prevent odor absorption, and withstand temperature changes during refrigeration and reheating.

Fun Variations On Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Seafood Sensation: Replace turkey with succulent shrimp or crab meat for a delightful oceanic version of the classic casserole.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Swap turkey with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to create a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, and replace some Parmesan with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Blend: Incorporate feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach to transform the dish with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Parting Thoughts On Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Classic turkey tetrazzini emerges as pure culinary comfort from kitchen memories.

Pasta intertwines with succulent turkey in a creamy symphony of flavors.

Mushroom-laden sauce creates luxurious depths beyond simple casserole expectations.

Historical roots connect home cooks to generations of shared meals.

Parmesan-crusted topping promises golden crunchiness that elevates each delectable bite.

You’ll discover pure pleasure in crafting this nostalgic dish – so snap that kitchen photo, share this recipe magic across social platforms, and invite friends to savor legendary comfort cuisine.

Joy Of Cooking Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets elegance in this classic turkey tetrazzini, a creamy pasta dish celebrating leftover holiday turkey with rich parmesan and delicate mushroom notes. Hearty noodles nestled in a velvety sauce promise a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped cooked turkey (about 1.25 pounds / 567 grams)
• 8 oz (226 grams) dried spaghetti, macaroni, or egg noodles
• 8 oz (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) butter
• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) whole milk or half-and-half
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken stock or broth
• 0.5 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) dry sherry (optional)

Dry Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (60 grams) dry bread crumbs

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly coat a 13 by 9 inches (33 by 23 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, then drain thoroughly. Simultaneously, melt 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) of unsalted butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat.
3. Sauté sliced mushrooms in the melted butter for 4-5 minutes until they release their moisture and become tender. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mushrooms and stir continuously to create a smooth roux.
4. Gradually pour in chicken stock, whole milk, and dry sherry (if using), whisking constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a silky consistency.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Fold in the chopped cooked turkey, ensuring even distribution.
6. Gently mix the drained pasta with the creamy turkey sauce, making sure each pasta strand is well-coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
7. In a small mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Dot the top of the casserole with remaining 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of butter, then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the surface.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the breadcrumb topping turns a golden, crispy brown.

Notes

• Sautéing garlic and onions together releases deeper, more complex umami notes in the mushroom base.
• Protein flexibility allows swapping turkey with tender cooked chicken or convenient canned tuna without compromising dish integrity.
• Adjusting flour quantities directly impacts sauce consistency, giving you control over thickness and mouthfeel.
• Personalize flavor profiles by experimenting with warming paprika or earthy thyme sprinkles that complement the dish’s fundamental taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg