What is Turkey Tetrazzini Made Of? A Comforting Pasta Casserole Explained

This Turkey Tetrazzini recipe is the perfect way to enjoy leftover turkey. Tender turkey chunks, mushrooms and pasta are smothered in a rich and creamy sauce and topped with cheese. Everything is baked until hot and bubbly for a dish hearty enough to satisfy a crowd and tasty enough to get everyone excited about leftovers like never before.

Turkey Tetrazzini is one of those recipes that has been around forever and ever and yet another recipe found in my vintage recipe box.

A delicious pasta casserole with turkey in a creamy mushroom sauce is topped with cheese and baked until hot and bubbly.

I use fresh mushrooms in this recipe and you can add in any other veggies you’d lke, carrots, peas, and peppers are some of our favorites.

This easy tetrazzini recipe uses no “cream of” soup but instead gets some extra richness from spreadable cream cheese. While you can certainly use the plain variety, we love to use an herb and garlic or garlic and chive flavor to add a little bit of extra flavor.

This is a great recipe for making use of the leftover turkey around the holidays, but it is equally delicious year round. If you don’t have turkey on hand, you can use rotisserie chicken or cook up a couple of chicken breasts!

This dish reheats well so you can make it ahead of time or serve it another night for a delicious dinner of leftovers! Make sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy and if needed, add a little splash of milk when reheating.

Turkey tetrazzini is the ultimate comfort food casserole that transforms leftover turkey into a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish. This classic recipe combines turkey, mushrooms, spaghetti and a creamy sauce for a satisfying meal that will become a new family favorite. But what exactly makes up this crave-worthy casserole? Let’s take a closer look at what turkey tetrazzini is made of.

The Main Ingredients

The core ingredients that make up turkey tetrazzini are:

Pasta Most recipes call for spaghetti or linguine The pasta is briefly boiled until al dente before being combined with the other ingredients
Turkey: Chopped cooked turkey is the star ingredient. Leftover roasted or smoked turkey works perfectly.
Mushrooms: Sliced white or brown mushrooms add texture and earthy flavor.
Cheese: A combination of cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and/or Monterey jack give the dish a creamy, melty quality.
Creamy sauce: A sauce made with ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, broth, wine, sour cream, and/or cream cheese binds everything together.

Supporting Ingredients

In addition to the core components, turkey tetrazzini commonly includes:

Onions: Diced or sliced onions provide flavor and crunch.
Celery: Chopped celery adds texture and balances the other ingredients.
Garlic: Minced garlic provides a punch of flavor.
Herbs and spices: Bay leaf, Italian seasoning, parsley, and black pepper are often used.
Wine: Dry white wine adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
Vegetables: Peas, bell peppers, pimentos, and other veggies provide color.
Toppings: Breadcrumbs, fried bacon, sliced almonds, and extra cheese make a crispy topping when baked.

The Creamy Base

The creamy sauce is what brings turkey tetrazzini together. There are a few common options for making the base:

Cream of mushroom soup: Condensed soup provides instant creaminess and mushroom flavor.
Sour cream: Sour cream is stirred in to make the sauce rich and tangy.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese helps create a smooth, creamy texture.
White sauce: A roux-based white sauce made from butter, flour, and broth makes a classic creamy base.
Cheese sauce: Grated cheese melted into white wine, broth, or cream builds incredible flavor.

How It’s Made

While recipes vary slightly, turkey tetrazzini is generally assembled as follows:

Cook the pasta al dente. Drain and transfer to a baking dish.
Cook aromatics like onion, celery, and garlic in butter.
Add mushrooms and seasonings. Cook until tender.
Stir in turkey, creamy sauce ingredients, cheese, and vegetables until combined.
Pour turkey mixture over pasta and top with cheese, breadcrumbs, etc.
Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Customize It!

One of the best things about turkey tetrazzini is that you can customize it to your tastes. Try these easy variations:

Use chicken instead of turkey.
Add chopped broccoli, carrots, or other veggies.
Stir in chopped olives, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Use gluten-free or whole wheat pasta.
Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
Top with crushed potato chips or fried onions.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.

Why We Love Turkey Tetrazzini

There are so many reasons this cheesy turkey pasta bake is a crowd-pleaser:

It’s a tasty way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays.
The ingredients are simple and affordable.
Kids and picky eaters enjoy the creamy texture.
It comes together easily and bakes unattended.
The recipe is very flexible and customizable.
It reheats beautifully for easy leftovers.
It’s pure comfort food at its finest!

So next time you have leftover turkey or just want a hearty, satisfying pasta dish, give turkey tetrazzini a try. The combination of turkey, mushrooms, pasta, savory sauce, and melted cheese is simply irresistible. With its easy preparation and delicious flavors, this casserole is sure to become a regular at your dinner table.

what is turkey tetrazzini made of

Turkey TetrazziniThis Turkey Tetrazzini recipe is the perfect way to enjoy leftover turkey. Tender turkey chunks, mushrooms, and pasta are smothered in a rich and creamy sauce and topped with cheese.

▢ 12 ounces spaghetti
▢ 3 tablespoons salted butter
▢ 1 onion diced
▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
▢ ¾ pound mushrooms sliced
▢ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
▢ 2 ¼ cups chicken broth reduced sodium
▢ 8 ounces spreadable cream cheese garlic flavor
▢ 1 ⅓ cups half & half or light cream
▢ salt and pepper to taste
▢ 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢ 2 cups cooked turkey chopped
▢ 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided
▢ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook spaghetti al dente according to package directions.
Cook butter, onions and garlic over medium heat until softened. Add mushrooms and cook an additional 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
Add broth and cream all at once. Cook until thick & bubbly, let boil 1 minute. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add parsley and seasonings
Combine spaghetti, turkey, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and sauce. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with remaining mozzarella, cover and bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan and bake an additional 10-15 minutes uncovered until hot & bubbly.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini | Allrecipes.com

FAQ

What is tetrazzini made of?

Tetrazzini is an Italian-American dish made with diced poultry or seafood and in a butter, cream or milk and cheese sauce flavored with sherry or white wine, and combined with linguine, spaghetti, egg noodles, or other types of pasta, sometimes topped with breadcrumbs or cheese, and garnished with parsley or basil.

Why is it called turkey tetrazzini?

Tetrazzini is thought to have been originated in San Francisco, named after a famous opera singer of the early 1900s—Luisa Tetrazzini—who lived there for many years.

What is turkey casserole made of?

Mix turkey, celery, pimento peppers, almonds, and salt into mushroom soup mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted, 30 to 40 minutes.

What wine is best for turkey Tetrazzini?

Turkey Tetrazzini An American-style pasta bake made with turkey, mushrooms, cheese – and sometimes a dash of sherry makes this a richer dish than the pie above. I’d go for an aromatic wine like a pinot gris myself.