Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Nov 20, 2022, Updated Feb 15, 2024

5 from 3 votes

1 Comment

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This turkey tetrazzini recipe is a delicious way to use up leftover roast turkey from the holidays. Spaghetti, turkey broccoli and cheese are tossed in a from-scratch sauce (no canned soups), and baked until bubbly.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (2)

We often find ourselves with lots of leftover Thanksgiving turkey, and after a few meals I try to find new ways to use it – like this turkey tetrazzini recipe (and of course, turkey pot pie and the best turkey cranberry sandwich).

This turkey tetrazzini includes a rich & cheesy from-scratch sauce, which means no canned soup! It’s a hearty main dish that your whole family will love, and a nice change of pace from eating Thanksgiving leftovers for every meal.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (3)

Turkey Tetrazzini: Ingredients & Substitutions

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (4)
  • Spaghetti. We use regular spaghetti noodles but really any shape of pasta works well in this recipe. I also have used chickpea pasta (gluten-free) with great results.
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred are great choices.
  • All-purpose flour. Gluten-free all-purpose flour works well.
  • Chicken broth. If you have homemade turkey broth from your leftovers definitely use it in this recipe.
  • Whole milk. You need 2 cups of liquid dairy. Half and half is a great substitute for whole milk. Or you can use 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream.
  • Broccoli. I use frozen broccoli because it’s easy. Fresh broccoli cut in small pieces works well too. If you don’t love broccoli you can substitute your favorite vegetable(s) or simply omit it.
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (5)

How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini

We’ll walk through how to make turkey tetrazzini step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin this recipe by cooking the spaghetti. First, break the spaghetti noodles in half.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (6)

Then, cook the noodles according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside in a large bowl but do not rinse.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (7)

Make the sauce

While the spaghetti is cooking, make the sauce. Begin by melting butter in a large stockpot.

Then, add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft (about 4 minutes).

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (8)

Next, add the flour, sea salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Then, cook for 30-60 seconds until the mixture starts bubbling.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (9)

Then, add chicken broth (or turkey broth), whole milk and Italian seasoning, whisk to combine, and cook until the mixture just starts to thicken (it will boil).

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (10)

Once the mixture is thickened, whisk in 1 cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (11)

Assemble

Turn off the heat, and add the spaghetti, broccoli and turkey to the sauce and stir to combine.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (12)

Combine the topping ingredients in a medium bowl.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (13)

Then, pour the turkey tetrazzini mixture into the prepared 9×13″ baking dish and evenly spread the mixture over the top of the tetrazzini in the pan.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (14)

Bake

Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (15)

Serve

Serve warm with a garnish of fresh parsley (if desired). The great thing about this turkey tetrazzini is that it’s a full meal on is own.

Sometimes we like to serve it with some homemade bread (homemade french bread, no knead bread, or homemade dinner rolls) and a green salad like this kale salad or burrata salad.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (16)

Store/Freeze

Store leftover turkey tetrazzini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (17)

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe FAQs

What is Turkey Tetrazzini made of?

This recipe includes a homemade sauce made of milk, cheese, butter, & spices, as well as leftover turkey, broccoli and spaghetti.

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes, to make a smaller amount halve the ingredients and bake in a 9×9″ or 8×8″ pan.

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (18)

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (19)

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (20)

SavePinPrint

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Laura

This turkey tetrazzini recipe is a delicious way to use up leftover roast turkey from the holidays. Spaghetti, turkey broccoli and cheese are tossed in a from-scratch sauce (no canned soups), and baked until bubbly.

5 from 3 votes

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 16 servings

Calories 286

Prep Time20 minutes minutes

Cook Time30 minutes minutes

Total Time50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Topping

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13” baking dish.

  • Break spaghetti noodles in half, then cooking according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside in a large bowl but do not rinse.

  • While spaghetti is cooking, make the sauce.

  • In a large stockpot melt butter.

  • Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft (about 4 minutes).

  • Add flour, sea salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Cook for 30-60 seconds until mixture starts bubbling.

  • Add chicken broth, whole milk and Italian seasoning and whisk to combine. Cook until the mixture just starts to thicken (it will boil).

  • Whisk in 1 cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted.

  • Turn off the heat, and add the spaghetti, broccoli and turkey to the sauce and stir to combine.

  • Pour the tetrazzini mixture into the prepared 9×13” baking dish.

  • Combine 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan cheese and ¼ cup breadcrumbs in a medium bowl.

  • Evenly spread the mixture over the top of the tetrazzini in the pan.

  • Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Spaghetti. We use regular spaghetti noodles but really any shape of pasta works well in this recipe. I also have used chickpea pasta (gluten-free) with great results.
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred are great choices.
  • All-purpose flour. Gluten-free all-purpose flour works well.
  • Chicken broth. If you have homemade turkey broth from your leftovers definitely use it in this recipe.
  • Whole milk. You need 2 cups of liquid dairy. Half and half is a great substitute for whole milk. Or you can use 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream.
  • Broccoli. I use frozen broccoli because it’s easy. Fresh broccoli cut in small pieces works well too. If you don’t love broccoli you can substitute your favorite vegetable(s) or simply omit it.

Store/Freeze

Store leftover turkey tetrazzini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 480IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 234mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Roast Turkey Recipe

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Healthy Turkey Meatballs

Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Healthy Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe (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 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 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. To my mother, however, turkey Tetrazzini is just another way of saying turkey casserole.

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

Where was turkey Tetrazzini invented? ›

There are various stories about the origin of the dish. One story, probably the best known, has it that the dish was invented by Ernest Arbogast, then chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, where the singer lived for many years.

Where does Tetrazzini originate 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 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 Turducken? ›

A "turducken" is a layered product especially popular during the holidays. The "turducken" is a deboned stuffed chicken inside a deboned stuffed duck inside a deboned stuffed turkey. The name is comprised of syllables from the words "turkey," "duck," and "chicken."

Who created turkey Tetrazzini? ›

Some accounts ascribe tetrazzini as a creation of Auguste Escoffier. Other sources claim tetrazzini to be invented in the early 1900s by Ernest Arbogast, the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, where Luisa Tetrazzini made her American debut at the Tivoli as Gilda in Rigoletto on January 11, 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.

Why don't Italians eat chicken and pasta? ›

It's no big deal in British and American kitchens, but pasta with chicken is unheard of in Italy. It could be because the texture of chicken is too similar to cooked pasta, or maybe it's just because that's not what Nonna used to do, but chicken is kept strictly to the secondo, or second course.

Do Italians put chicken in pasta dishes? ›

Some Italian food purists still maintain that chicken has no place in pasta because it overwhelms the simpler, fresher flavors the dish should deliver. Instead, they prefer to prepare a separate chicken dish either as a second-course main or a side dish.

What is a casserole vs lasagna? ›

Casseroles are usually quick and easy. Some ingredients quickly stir together and are poured into a baking dish, topped with cheese, and baked. A traditional lasagna takes more time. Multiple layers, all made separately, then put together before baking.

Why is it called chicken Tetrazzini? ›

We love a dish with a good back story and the reason for why is it called chicken Tetrazzini tops the charts. It is supposedly named for Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, and was made by the chef at her hotel in the early 1900s.

What is pasta and tomato sauce called? ›

A traditional tomato-based pasta sauce is known as marinara sauce. According to top Arizona pizza places, crushed or diced tomatoes are combined with chopped garlic, onions, and peppers and simmered until they reach a saucy consistency.

What is a chunky pasta sauce called? ›

Marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce that is liquidy and chunky, while pomodoro sauce is a thicker sauce with similar ingredients.

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5741

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.