Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini (The Best Leftover Turkey Recipe!)

When the holidays wrap up and your fridge is packed with leftover turkey, there’s one recipe that transforms those extras into something extraordinary: creamy turkey tetrazzini. This dish isn’t just a way to use leftovers — it’s a full-blown comfort-food classic that brings warmth, richness, and homestyle goodness to the table. With a silky sauce, tender noodles, savory mushrooms, and perfectly seasoned turkey, this casserole delivers everything you want from a cozy dinner.

Turkey tetrazzini has been around for decades, but today’s version is all about maximizing creaminess without making things heavy, balancing flavor, and keeping the steps simple enough for any home cook. Whether you’re preparing a comforting winter dinner or turning holiday leftovers into something brand new, this recipe hits every note: creamy, cheesy, filling, and deeply satisfying.

In this article, we’ll explore everything from ingredients and step-by-step instructions to creative variations, substitution ideas, make-ahead tips, and the best ways to serve and store your casserole. By the end, you’ll have a dinner recipe that not only clears out your leftover turkey but becomes a year-round favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini

✔ The ultimate leftover-loving dish — transforms roasted turkey into a restaurant-worthy meal
✔ Family-friendly comfort food — creamy, cheesy, flavorful, and picky-eater approved
✔ Flexible and customizable — add veggies, swap proteins, adjust cheeses, and flavor it your way
✔ Make-ahead and freezer-friendly — easy to prep early and bake later
✔ Perfect for busy nights — comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients

This casserole is built on an Italian-American base of pasta, mushrooms, creamy sauce, and cheese. But the magic happens when leftover turkey turns it into something heartier and richer.

Ingredients Breakdown & Why They Work

The beauty of turkey tetrazzini lies in how everyday ingredients come together to create something luxurious. Here’s what makes each component important:

• Cooked turkey – Using shredded or cubed leftover turkey gives the casserole its hearty protein without having to cook anything new. Both light and dark meat work well.
• Spaghetti or linguine – Long pasta absorbs the creamy sauce and creates a silky texture. You can also use short pasta if preferred.
• Mushrooms – Their savory earthiness balances the richness. Sautéing them first intensifies their flavor.
• Butter & flour – These form the classic roux base that thickens the creamy sauce.
• Chicken or turkey broth – Adds depth and enhances the savory elements.
• Heavy cream or half-and-half – Ensures the sauce stays rich, silky, and perfectly velvety.
• Garlic & onion – Build savory foundation flavor.
• Parmesan cheese – Adds saltiness and nutty flavor; melts beautifully in the sauce and on top.
• Mozzarella – Offers a creamy, melty finish that browns nicely in the oven.
• Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and sometimes poultry seasoning or Italian herbs tie everything together.
• Parsley – Freshness that cuts the creaminess and brightens flavors.

You don’t need fancy ingredients — just simple staples that create a layered, complex flavor.

How to Make Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini

Below is the full step-by-step breakdown that ensures a perfectly creamy casserole every time.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil spaghetti or linguine until just al dente. The pasta will finish cooking as it bakes, so avoid overcooking it. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Butter, onions, garlic, and mushrooms join forces in a skillet. This step builds the base flavor and removes excess moisture from the mushrooms so your sauce stays thick and creamy.

Step 3: Build the Cream Sauce

Sprinkle flour over the cooked vegetables and stir to create a roux. Slowly whisk in broth, followed by cream. As it simmers, it transforms into a silky, luxurious sauce. Stir in parmesan for flavor depth.

Step 4: Combine Everything

In a large bowl or skillet, mix the cooked pasta, shredded turkey, and creamy sauce until evenly combined. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Transfer & Top

Pour everything into a greased casserole dish. Add mozzarella and a little extra parmesan over the top.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake until bubbly and golden on top. The top should be melted, slightly crisp, and irresistibly aromatic.

Step 7: Rest & Serve

Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly and flavors settle.

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 3 cups cooked shredded turkey
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
2. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onion and cook until softened.
4. Add garlic and mushrooms; sauté until mushrooms release moisture and brown.
5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to coat.
6. Slowly whisk in broth until smooth and thickened.
7. Stir in cream, parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
8. Add cooked pasta and turkey to the skillet and toss to coat in sauce.
9. Transfer mixture to the casserole dish.
10. Top with mozzarella and a little extra parmesan.
11. Bake 25–30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly golden.
12. Rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Creamy Turkey Tetrazzini (The Best Leftover Turkey Recipe!)

A rich, creamy, comforting pasta bake that transforms leftover turkey into a delicious and satisfying dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main

• 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 3 cups cooked turkey shredded
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 8 oz mushrooms sliced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups broth chicken or turkey
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 cup mozzarella shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning optional
• 2 tbsp parsley chopped, optional

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Pasta pot
• Casserole dish
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
2. Cook spaghetti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a skillet. Add onion and cook until softened.
4. Add garlic and mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms brown.
5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir to form a roux.
6. Slowly whisk in broth until smooth and thickened.
7. Stir in cream, parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
8. Add pasta and turkey to the sauce and mix to coat.
9. Transfer mixture to casserole dish and top with mozzarella.
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
11. Let cool 5–10 minutes before serving; garnish with parsley.

Notes

For extra crunch, top with buttered breadcrumbs. Add frozen peas for a classic variation.

Tips for the Best Turkey Tetrazzini

1. Don’t overcook the pasta

Keep it al dente so it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.

2. Brown the mushrooms

This boosts flavor and prevents a watery casserole.

3. Season the sauce generously

Cream sauces need proper seasoning to shine.

4. Choose the right baking dish

A shallow casserole leads to more browned, cheesy top surface.

5. Let it rest before serving

This ensures clean slices and perfect texture.

Variations & Customizations

Protein Swaps:

• Chicken tetrazzini
• Rotisserie chicken
• Leftover holiday ham
• Roasted vegetables for a vegetarian version

Add-In Ideas:

• Frozen peas
• Sautéed spinach
• Broccoli florets
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Crispy bacon pieces

Cheese Upgrades:

• Gruyère
• Fontina
• White cheddar
• Romano

Crunchy Toppings:

• Buttered breadcrumbs
• Crushed Ritz crackers
• Panko mixed with parmesan

Serving Suggestions

Turkey tetrazzini is the star of any dinner, but it pairs beautifully with:

• Garlic bread
• Green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Steamed broccoli
• Cranberry sauce (if using Thanksgiving leftovers)

Make-Ahead, Freezing & Reheating

Make-Ahead:

Assemble fully, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 extra minutes to bake time.

Freezing:

Freeze before baking for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as usual.

Reheating:

Cover with foil and warm at 300°F until heated through.