Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (2024)

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5 from 1 Rating

Published: November 12, 2021Author: Amy

This easy Turkey Tetrazzini recipe is classic comfort food that’s irresistibly creamy, cheesy, and delicious! It’s a great make-ahead meal and freezer-friendly. Also pretty much the most perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving Turkey.

We love this dish all on its own, but also served with some homemade garlic bread, roasted carrots, or a side salad.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (1)

What is Turkey Tetrazzini?

Turkey Tetrazzini is a popular American pasta bake casserole made with diced up turkey (or chicken), vegetables, and a buttery, cream based sauce. Chef Ernest Arbogast debuted this creation at his San Francisco hotel in the 1900’s in honor of the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini.

If making this dish for the very first time, you might be put off by the combination of strange “gloppy” ingredients. But then it cooks up all cheesy and bubbly and you are sold within one bite, finally understanding what all the fuss is about. It’s synonymous with Thanksgiving, since it’s the perfect casserole to use up leftovers, but you can definitely make this all year round or sub the turkey with chicken and make chicken tetrazzini instead.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (2)

Easy Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for measurements and details.)

  • Pasta: We use spaghetti, but you can make this with any kind of noodles. It’s important to cook them al dente, because they will continue cooking as the casserole bakes and you don’t want the noodles to end up mushy.
  • Turkey: Put that leftover Thanksgiving turkey to use here! Light or dark meat are both delicious. Dice or shred, depending on your preference.
  • Sauce: This is one of the few recipes I make which incorporates cream of canned goods. I’ve made a couple completely from scratch versions and just didn’t like them as much. Bonus, this way is quicker! You’ll also need low-sodium chicken broth, sherry, melted butter, and sour cream.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Cheese: A trifecta of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan is delish!
  • Peas and carrots: We love sweet peas and carrots in this casserole for flavor and color.

How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini

This dish only has a few simple steps and the prep is super easy. Here’s a brief summary:
(For all the details, scroll down to the complete printable recipe card and don’t miss the video below.)

  1. Start by dicing up the cooked turkey.
  2. Cook up the pasta according to package directions, al dente.
  3. Combine the sauce ingredients and spices until fully incorporated. Mix in the turkey, pasta, peas and carrots.
  4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 casserole dish, sprinkle with the cheeses.
  5. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15.
  6. Let is rest for 5 minutes or so and dig in!
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (3)

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

  • Can Turkey Tetrazzini be made ahead of time? Yes! This is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Make as instructed, but instead of baking, cover the casserole tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from fridge and add about 15 minutes onto the baking time.
  • How to freeze Turkey Tetrazzini: Prep according to the recipe in a freezer-safe casserole dish, cover tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake accordingly.
  • How to store leftovers: allow any leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Ways to Use Leftover Turkey:

  • Add some to this Mushroom Rice and make a meal out of it.
  • Make a Turkey Apple Pasta Salad.
  • Cranberry-Turkey Enchiladas are a must!
  • Swap out the chicken for turkey in these Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Bundles.
  • Put some in Chicken Noodle Soup.

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (4)

Turkey Tetrazzini

5 from 1 Rating

This easy Turkey Tetrazzini recipe is classic comfort food that's irresistibly creamy, cheesy, and delicious! It's a great make-ahead meal and freezer-friendly. Also pretty much the most perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving Turkey.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 10 ounce can reduced-sodium cream of celery soup (not diluted – no water added)
  • 10 ounce can reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup (not diluted – no water added)
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1/2 cup butter , melted
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots (does not need to be thawed)
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped or shredded leftover cooked turkey
  • 1 pound spaghetti , cooked al dente
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh chopped parsley , for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

  • In large bowl whisk together both soups, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, sherry, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined.

  • Stir in the peas and carrots, turkey, and cooked spaghetti; toss to combine until fully coated.

  • Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the cheeses.

  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes until cheese is melted and casserole is hot throughout.

  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 5-10 minutes.

  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 661kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 843mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1840IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

Other Notes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: turkey leftovers, turkey tetrazzini recipe

Did you make this recipe?Snap a picture and mention @bellyfullblog!

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe - Belly Full (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 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.

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!

Why is it called Tetrazzini? ›

The dish is named after the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. The origins of tetrazzini are widely disputed. Some accounts ascribe tetrazzini as a creation of Auguste Escoffier.

What is tetrazzini in English? ›

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

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

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 country is tetrazzini 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 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.

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.

Why is it called Ala King? ›

The origin of chicken à la king's name is a subject of debate. Some say it was created at New York's Brighton Beach Hotel in the 1890s and named after its proprietor E. Clark King II. Some claim it originated in England, while others say it's from Philadelphia.

What does Ala King mean in cooking? ›

Meaning of à la king in English

cut into small pieces and cooked in a sauce that contains cream and vegetables: This restaurant serves a wonderful chicken à la king. They cooked turnips à la king.

Who invented 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 it called killer spaghetti? ›

The name assassina, which means killer, refers not to the felony, but rather the risottatura cooking technique that cooks pasta like risotto. Instead of boiling the spaghetti, it's cooked directly in the pan by consistently adding water to it each time the pasta absorbs it.

Why is it called John Wayne casserole? ›

So, did John Wayne himself invent his eponymous casserole? Not exactly. The actor did submit the recipe himself, but the original dish detailed in Connery's cookbook described a more understated egg and cheese casserole than the dish folks enjoy today.

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.

What is Italian spaghetti sauce called? ›

The marinara sauce that most are familiar with today is more of an Italian-American rendition than the "mariner-style" sauce that was used back in the day. Because marinara pasta sauce has relatively few ingredients, it can be used as the base of other more complex sauces.

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