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Simple turkey tetrazzini is a flavorful pasta casserole, perfect for using leftover holiday turkey, but tasty year round!
best way to use leftover turkey!
We love to gather with the Luna gang at Thanksgiving and fill our bellies with all the classics! Even with a crowd, we inevitably have leftovers (probably because we all love food, and bring way too much!)
One item we always have leftovers of is Turkey, and although we love turkey sandwiches, our go-to main dish to make with leftovers is turkey tetrazzini. It’s easy, cheesy and delicious and is the perfect variation of our class Chicken Tetrazzini.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- It’s delicious! With butter, sour cream, cheese, pasta and more, this recipe is hard NOT to love.
- Simple. This recipe is so easy. Mix, combine, and dump for an easy dinner idea.
- Loved by all. Turkey on its own isn’t always the whole family’s favorite, but add tetrazzini and it’s a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 35 minutes
- 16 ounces linguine – switch the linguine noodles for cooked spaghetti noodles, or egg noodles. Boil 16 ounces of noodles in a large pot of salted water for added flavor.
- 3 cups cooked turkey – this is a perfect dish for leftover turkey, but you can purchase fully cooked turkey or buy thick slices of turkey from the deli and chop it at home.
- ½ cup butter – use salted or unsalted butter
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of celery soup – or cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups sour cream – adds a creamy tangy flavor as well as thickens the sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth – chicken stock or vegetable broth can also be used
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs (optional) – or top with Panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping and fresh parsley for color
How to make Turkey Tetrazzini
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- PASTA. Cook 16 ounces linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- SAUCE. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 3 cups chopped turkey, ½ cup butter, 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of celery soup, 2 cups sour cream, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and 1 cup chicken broth in a medium bowl. Stir in noodles until well combined.
- BAKE. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese on top and ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs (if desired).
- Bake for 36–42 minutes, until cheeses are melted and bubbling.
Turkey Tetrazzini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces linguine, cooked
- 3 cups chopped cooked turkey
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 (10.5-ounce) cans cream of celery, (or cream of chicken)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Italian bread crumbs, (optional)
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine chopped turkey, butter, cream of celery soup, sour cream, garlic salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a medium bowl. Stir in noodles until well combined.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and shredded Mozzarella cheese on top and Italian bread crumbs (if desired).
- Bake for 36–42 minutes, until cheeses are melted and bubbling.
Video
Notes
- Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before baking it. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35 minutes or so, until the edges are bubbling and it’s heated through.
- Bake it from frozen. Leave it covered with tinfoil and add an extra 45 minutes or so to the bake time. Uncover for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
> Mushrooms. Add sautéed mushrooms before stirring in the noodles.
> Peas. Add frozen peas when you combine the noodles and sauce mixture.
> Onions. Add diced onions to the mixture or green onions on top.
> Add some heat. For more spicy flavor to the dish by sprinkling on red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Leftover turkey tetrazzini casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
Reheat. The easiest way to reheat the leftovers is in the microwave. It can be reheated on the stovetop, over medium heat, or in the oven.
Divide leftovers into individual portions and freeze them for 1-2 months. Add milk or heavy cream when reheating to not be gritty.
This is great for a family and I know my kids would have liked this when they were little. After tasting the sauce, I added 3 TB of sweet vermouth to boost the flavor but it was still a little bland. I also added peas and chopped canned mushrooms. Next time will add Italian Blend seasoning and a little more vermouth. The texture of the sauce was perfect and it was very easy to make.
Very tasty and easy. I added mushrooms and used chickpea penne pasta. (I figured it would be easier to serve than long noodles.) Would make again, maybe add some diced pimentos for added taste and color
My husband said it was a “Top 3” dish of all time. Very flavorful and creamy.
Easy, delicious recipe. Yes, I would definitely make this again!
FOLLOWED RECIPE TO THE LETTER AND IT WAS DELICIOUS
It’s hard to know what to do with leftover turkey. This recipe is the perfect way to use it! My family loved this dish!
This is one of my favorite ways to use up a good amount of leftover Thanksgiving turkey! Even the kids love it, too.
This was a hit the day after Thanksgiving. Added some frozen vegtables too.
Easy and tasty
This is perfect for using leftover turkey!! A homey hit everyone loved.