This delicious turkey tetrazzini recipe will have you looking forward to gobbling up your Thanksgiving leftovers! Tender linguine strands are swathed in a delectably rich, creamy sauce. Succulent tidbits of turkey and sauteed mushrooms bring heartiness to the dish, making it a robust, delicious dinner. Once you try this dish, you’ll be looking forward to turkey leftovers every year!
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What Is Turkey Tetrazzini?
A tetrazzini dish is pasta with poultry and mushrooms in a thick, creamy white sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese and baked in the oven. It is often made with chicken, but our version puts a new spin on leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and Christmas.
While the name of the dish sounds Italian, its origins are American. According to food historians, chicken tetrazzini was created in the early 1900s in San Francisco. There, chef Ernest Arbogast created the dish in honor of opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini. Ironically, Ms. Tetrazzini preferred to eat basic fruits and vegetables, so it is unknown if she ever tasted the dish that bore her name.
How Can I Vary This Dish?
- Add more meat if you’re a meat lover or you’ve got tons of turkey leftover
- Substitute chicken or ham in place of turkey for a new take on this dish
- Add peas to increase your veggie intake
- Use shredded Parmesan to elevate the dish even more
- Add crispy bacon for a smokier taste
- Top with French fried onions for extra flavor
Can I Freeze Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini?
Yes!
You can freeze it before or after you’ve baked it. Place the mixture into a freezer safe container with a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to mark it with the contents and the date. The tetrazzini will stay safe in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat it, let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can heat an unbaked tetrazzini according to the recipe directions, or reheat a baked casserole at 325 for about 20 minutes. You can also reheat a baked casserole in the microwave.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside. - Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot. Saute mushrooms until soft.
- Add flour, paprika, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
- Slowly add broth and half and half. Stir until thickened. Add 1/3 cup of the parmesan cheese; stir to incorporate.
- Place half of the cooked linguine in a 9×13″ pan. Layer 1 cup of turkey over noodles, then pour 1/2 the sauce over it all.
- Repeat another layer with remaining linguine, turkey, and sauce. Top with remaining 1/3 cup parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 350 F oven. Serve hot.
Need More Ideas for Turkey Leftovers?
Check out this amazing recipe for Turkey Gumbo. You’ll never look at leftovers the same way again!
Turkey Tetrazzini
Difficulty: Easy10
servings20
minutes30
minutes50
minutesTender linguine strands are swathed in a delectably rich, creamy sauce. Succulent tidbits of turkey and sauteed mushrooms bring heartiness to the dish, making it a robust, delicious dinner.
Ingredients
16 oz linguine
1/2 cup butter
8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken broth
1 cup half and half
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups turkey pieces
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large pot. Saute mushrooms until soft.
- Add flour, paprika, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
- Slowly add broth and half and half. Stir until thickened. Add 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese; stir to incorporate.
- Place half of the cooked linguine in a 9×13″ pan. Layer 1 cup of turkey over noodles, then pour 1/2 the sauce over it all.
- Repeat another layer with remaining linguine, turkey, and sauce. Top with remaining 1/3 cup parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes in preheated 350 F oven. Serve hot.
Notes
- This recipe can also be made with chicken or ham in place of turkey. Give it a try for a new spin on a classic favorite!
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