Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe That’s Creamy and Hearty

Turkey tetrazzini emerges as a delightful comfort dish that elevates leftover poultry into a creamy, irresistible masterpiece.

Pasta lovers appreciate its rich, velvety texture and complex flavor profile that elevates simple ingredients.

Hearty home cooks adore this classic casserole for its ability to feed hungry families with minimal effort.

Creamy sauces blend seamlessly with tender meat and perfectly cooked noodles, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Each forkful promises a delectable combination of crispy edges and smooth, comforting interior.

Seasonal gatherings and weeknight dinners find their perfect companion in this versatile and satisfying dish.

Generations of home chefs have embraced this recipe as a go-to solution for elevateing mundane leftovers into something spectacular.

Why Everyone Loves a Classic Turkey Tetrazzini

• Creamy Comfort Delight: This turkey tetrazzini delivers ultimate comfort food with its rich, velvety sauce that hugs every pasta strand, creating a warm, satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Requiring just one-hour total preparation and baking time, this recipe transforms leftover turkey into a crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both kids and adults with its cheesy, creamy goodness.
• Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Easily adaptable with simple ingredients already in your pantry, this one-dish meal offers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it an excellent solution for busy families seeking a delicious, hassle-free dinner.
• Nutrient-Packed Casserole: Combining protein-rich turkey, hearty pasta, and calcium-packed cheeses, this recipe provides a balanced meal that delivers nutrition and satisfaction in every comforting bite.

Ingredients for Cozy and Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini

• Spaghetti Noodles: Classic base for the casserole, best when cooked al dente for perfect texture.

• Turkey, Chicken Broth: Lean protein that adds substantial flavor and protein boost to the dish.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream: Rich and creamy base that provides smooth, velvety texture and depth of flavor.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Sharp and melty cheeses that add richness and classic comfort food appeal.

• Unsalted Butter, Kosher Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall dish flavor, with cayenne adding subtle heat.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh finish to the casserole.

How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini with Minimal Fuss

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 325°F (165°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of nonstick goodness.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil those spaghetti noodles until they’re tender and dancing- follow the package directions for that perfect al dente texture.

Step 3: Create Flavor Magic

• Shredded turkey
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Chicken broth
• Melted butter
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper

Whisk everything together until it’s beautifully blended.

Step 4: Merge Pasta and Sauce

Toss the cooked noodles into your flavor-packed mixture, making sure every strand gets a delicious coating.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the creamy mixture into your prepared baking dish. Pro tip: A 12-inch oven-safe skillet works wonderfully too!

Step 6: Cheese Blanket

Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty masterpiece.

Step 7: Initial Baking

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let it bake for 45 minutes, allowing all those flavors to mingle and dance.

Step 8: Final Cheese Melt

Remove the foil and return to the oven for an extra 10-15 minutes. Watch for that irresistible bubbly, golden-brown cheese top.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Shower the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Scoop onto plates and get ready for a comfort food celebration!

Tips That Take Turkey Tetrazzini to the Next Level

• Select Quality Turkey: Choose leftover roasted or rotisserie turkey for richer, more developed flavor profiles.
• Prevent Dry Texture: Avoid overcooking by checking dish moisture levels and adding extra broth if needed during baking.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Grate fresh mozzarella for smoother, more even cheese coverage and enhanced melting performance.
• Noodle Preparation Hack: Slightly undercook spaghetti since it will continue cooking in the casserole, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
• Flavor Boost: Toast breadcrumbs with herbs and sprinkle on top during final baking for delightful crispy golden crust.

Smart Ways to Save and Reheat Turkey Tetrazzini

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Turkey Tetrazzini in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Carefully transfer the dish to a freezer-safe container, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Turkey Tetrazzini maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For oven reheating, cover with foil and warm at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165ºF to maintain food safety and delicious flavor.

What Complements Turkey Tetrazzini Beautifully

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Pair the creamy turkey tetrazzini with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. These light, zesty wines cut through the richness of the dish, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Vibrant Green Salad Partner: Serve alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. The peppery greens and tangy dressing provide a perfect contrast to the creamy, comforting pasta.
• Roasted Vegetable Side Kick: Add a simple roasted vegetable medley like broccoli, carrots, and zucchini. The caramelized edges and clean flavors balance the hearty tetrazzini, creating a well-rounded meal.
• Craft Beer Match: Select a smooth amber ale or wheat beer. The malty, slightly hoppy notes complement the cheesy, savory elements of the turkey tetrazzini, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Creative Ways to Change Up Turkey Tetrazzini

• Veggie Blast: Swap turkey with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version. Add spinach for extra nutrition and color.
• Seafood Sensation: Replace turkey with cooked shrimp or crab meat for a luxurious oceanic spin. Mix in some Old Bay seasoning for a coastal flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest: Mix in diced green chiles, swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese, and add taco seasoning. Top with crispy tortilla strips for extra crunch and southwestern flair.
• Chicken Classic: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of turkey for a simple, classic alternative. Keep the original seasoning blend for a familiar comfort food experience.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy and comforting, turkey tetrazzini brings Italian-American pasta magic to your dinner table. Loaded with tender turkey, mushrooms, and a luscious sauce, this classic casserole promises warmth and satisfaction in each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 3 cups turkey, roasted or cooked, cut into cubes
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pasta and Base:

• 1 box (16 ounces / 454 grams) spaghetti noodles, cooked al dente per package instructions
• 2 cans (10.5 ounces / 298 grams each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups sour cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Seasonings and Garnish:

• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

1. Fire up the oven to 325ºF and prepare a spacious baking vessel with nonstick spray. Simultaneously, transform spaghetti noodles into perfectly tender strands through precise boiling techniques.
2. Craft a luxurious base by whisking together shredded turkey, creamy mushroom essence, tangy sour cream, aromatic broth, golden melted butter, nutty parmesan, and a symphony of seasoning notes including salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders, with a subtle cayenne kick.
3. Gently fold the al dente noodles into the velvety mixture, ensuring each strand becomes lavishly coated with the rich, savory blend.
4. Transfer the harmonious creation into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform landscape of culinary potential.
5. Shower the surface with a generous blanket of mozzarella, promising a molten, golden crown.
6. Drape aluminum foil over the dish, creating a protective shield during the initial baking phase, and nestle into the oven for 45 minutes of transformative cooking.
7. Unveil the foil for the final culinary crescendo, allowing the cheese to bubble and bronze for an additional 10-15 minutes until achieving irresistible golden perfection.
8. Sprinkle chopped parsley across the surface, adding a fresh, verdant flourish before presenting this comforting masterpiece to eager diners.

Notes

• Leftovers become a delightful transformation with this creamy, cheesy comfort dish that rescues forgotten turkey from the refrigerator.
• Weeknight dinner miracle that turns simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal faster than ordering takeout.
• Versatile recipe welcomes kitchen creativity, allowing home cooks to swap proteins or experiment with different cheese combinations without losing its comforting essence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 672
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1236 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg