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If you’re looking for a new recipe to use up holiday leftovers, this creamy turkey tetrazzini with buttery mushrooms is it. It’s also packed with frozen peas and carrots to keep dinner after Christmas Day easy and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
You’ll make this turkey tetrazzini well past the holiday season because it’s also an easy-to-make dinner.
- Creamy. You only need butter and milk to create the ultra rich and creamy sauce.
- Convenient. First, you can use frozen or canned vegetables to reduce prep time. Second, it all comes together on the stovetop; no oven is needed.
- Perfect for the holidays. Turkey tetrazzini is the best way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Hearty. This simple dinner will keep you full thanks to lots of pasta, juicy turkey, and tender veggies.
What Is Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey Tetrazzini is one of those cozy, old-school casseroles that turns leftover turkey into something everyone actually gets excited about. It’s made with pasta (usually spaghetti, but fettuccine, too), creamy sauce, mushrooms, and some recipes include plenty of cheese. Everything gets baked together until it’s hot and bubbly.
Ingredients For My Turkey Tetrazzini
- Fettuccine – Spaghetti works too.
- Olive oil – Feel free to use avocado or coconut oil.
- Butter – I prefer unsalted butter.
- Yellow onion – White onion is a good swap.
- Mushrooms – Creminis are my favorite. Canned mushrooms work too.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder works too.
- All-purpose flour – You can use cornstarch instead.
- Broth – Use turkey, chicken, or veggie.
- Milk – Whole milk or 2% is great.
- Frozen peas and carrots – They can be canned, just rinse and drain them well.
- Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are best for this.
- Turkey – Use Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers, or a roast turkey breast.
Katerina’s Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it spicy. Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste for some heat.
- Use leftover sauce. Mix in alfredo sauce or bechamel leftovers into the pasta to reduce cooking time.
- Make it cheesy. Shred 1/4-1/2 cup parmesan cheese into the sauce or sprinkle it on top for some melty goodness.
- Use short pasta. Fusilli, bow tie, and penne are great swaps for fettuccine.
- Swap the protein. Leftover shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled shrimp are easy variations.
- Make it meatless. Double the veggies in the recipe and leave out the turkey for a vegetarian dinner.
Serving Suggestions
- Try my crisp, savory, and seriously delicious Brussels sprouts with bacon.
- Or go for roasted sweet potato wedges if you’re craving something a little sweet and cozy.
- Ham and bean soup is another comforting option, especially if you’ve got leftover ham.
- A bowl of roasted tomato soup adds rich, bold flavor to the meal.
- And if you’re in the mood for something fresh, my green goddess salad is always a hit around here!
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Turkey Tetrazzini
This creamy turkey tetrazzini recipe, with tender veggies such as carrots and peas, is the perfect way to use up holiday leftovers.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fettuccine, or spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, (you can also use 2 (4-ounce) cans)
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup turkey broth or chicken broth.
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 2 to 3 cups cubed cooked turkey
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions.
- Sauté the aromatics and mushrooms. In the meantime, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet. Add onions and mushrooms; cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook for 15 seconds or until fragrant.
- Make the thickener. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and broth. Then, add it to the skillet.
- Add the milk and veggies. Stir in the milk and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, increase heat, and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue to cook and stir for 1 minute or until the sauce has thickened.
- Stir in the turkey meat. Decrease the heat to medium-high and add the turkey; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Finish and serve. Remove the turkey tetrazzini from the heat and combine it with the pasta. Serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 183mg | Sodium: 777mg | Potassium: 1053mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4705IU | Vitamin C: 10.3mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 3.2mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini
This tetrazzini recipe comes together right on the stovetop, no oven needed! We’ll make a creamy, dreamy sauce, stir in tender turkey and pasta, and it’s ready to serve. It’s super easy and delicious, too.
- Cook the pasta. Prepare the fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain it and set it aside.
- Sautée the onion. Add the oil and butter to a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms. Cook them until tender. Stir in the garlic.
- Make the slurry. Whisk the flour and broth until smooth in a small bowl. Add it to the pan.
- Add the veggies. Stir in the milk and remaining veggies. Season with salt and pepper.
- Thicken it. Bring the mixture to a boil. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add the turkey. Add the turkey and stir until heated through.
- Serve it. Remove it from the heat. Serve the turkey mixture over prepared fettuccine and enjoy.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This recipe isn’t freezer-friendly because the pasta will change texture when thawed, and the sauce will split.
- To reheat it: Microwave it for up to a minute or until warm. You can also heat it in a pot, with the lid on, over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Turkey tetrazzini is an old fashioned dish that people should make more often because it’s delicious. And that’s a great assortment of turkey recipes.
I don’t like turkey (I know, I’m strange) but I will so be making this with some leftover steak or salmon. Major yum!
I’m not crazy about turkey, either. I will only eat it if it’s swimming in gravy. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, Laura! xo