Turkey Tetrazzini
Turkey Tetrazzini transforms your leftover turkey into the ultimate comfort food casserole with its creamy three-cheese sauce and perfectly tender pasta.
The combination of Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates layers of flavor while mushrooms and garlic add savory depth to every bite.
This is the recipe my family actually requests after Thanksgiving, sometimes even more than they wanted the original turkey dinner itself.
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe Highlights
- Ready in just over an hour
- Great recipe for Thanksgiving leftover turkey
- Three-cheese creamy sauce
- Feeds up to 8 people
- One-dish dinner solution
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
TURKEY – Use any cooked turkey meat you have, whether it’s white, dark, or a mix. The recipe works beautifully with rotisserie chicken too if you’re making this outside of turkey season. Chop into bite-sized pieces about the size of a nickel for even distribution throughout the casserole. If your turkey is dry, the creamy sauce will bring it back to life.
MUSHROOMS – Brown mushrooms (also called baby bellas or cremini) give deeper flavor than white button mushrooms, though either works. Slice them about ¼ inch thick so they hold their shape during cooking. They release moisture that concentrates into the sauce, adding an earthy richness that makes the whole dish taste more complex.
CHEESE – The three-cheese blend is what makes this special. Monterey Jack melts smoothly for creaminess, mozzarella adds that satisfying cheese pull, and Parmesan brings sharp, nutty notes that cut through the richness. Buy blocks and shred them yourself for the smoothest melting, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
HEAVY CREAM – This is non-negotiable for the right texture and richness. Half-and-half will work in a pinch but your sauce won’t be as luxurious or coat the pasta as well. The fat content helps the cheese melt properly and prevents the sauce from breaking when it bakes.
PASTA – Spaghetti is traditional, but any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine works perfectly. Cook it just until al dente since it continues cooking in the oven. The pasta should still have a slight firmness when you drain it, otherwise you’ll end up with mushy noodles in your
How To Make Turkey Tetrazzini
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.
- Sauté mushrooms and onions in butter. Add garlic. Sprinkle in flour.
- Pour in broth and cream. Add half the cheeses and seasonings. Stir in turkey.
- Combine pasta and sauce in baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake until bubbly and golden.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Keep your Turkey Tetrazzini covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will absorb some sauce, making it even more flavorful the next day.
FREEZE – Wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. For individual portions, divide into freezer-safe containers before the final baking step.
REHEAT – Cover with foil and warm in a 325° Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes if refrigerated, 45 minutes if frozen. Add a splash of cream or broth if it seems dry. Microwave individual portions on 50% power, stirring halfway through.
MAKE AHEAD – Assemble the entire Turkey Tetrazzini casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then add 10 extra minutes to the baking time since you’re starting from cold.
More Easy and Delicious Recipes
Serving Suggestions
GARLIC BREAD – Crispy garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce. Try our Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Bread for the ultimate pairing.
GREEN SALAD – A simple green salad with Italian dressing cuts through the richness beautifully. The acidity balances all that creamy cheese.
ROASTED VEGETABLES – Roasted Potatoes or Roasted Brussels Sprouts add color and crunch to your plate while keeping things easy since they cook at the same temperature.
CRANBERRY SAUCE – If you’re serving this with Thanksgiving leftovers, a dollop of cranberry sauce on the side adds a sweet-tart contrast that works surprisingly well.
Recipe Success Tips
PASTA TEXTURE – Cook your spaghetti 2 minutes less than the package directions suggest. It continues cooking in the oven and absorbs the sauce, so starting with firmer pasta prevents mushiness.
CHEESE MELTING – Remove the pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming stringy or grainy. The residual heat melts it perfectly while keeping the texture smooth.
EVEN BROWNING – Rotate your baking dish halfway through cooking for uniform browning on top. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil strips.
Expert Tip – Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes serving much neater.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Make Turkey Tetrazzini With Uncooked Turkey?
Yes, season and cook 1.5 pounds of turkey breast or thighs in a skillet until golden, then chop and proceed with the recipe. Ground turkey also works wonderfully.
What If I Don’t Have All Three Cheeses?
Use any combination that equals 3 cups total. All mozzarella works, or try cheddar for sharper flavor. Just avoid pre-shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce.
Can This Be Made Gluten-Free?
Absolutely. Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. The texture remains creamy and delicious.
Why Is My Sauce Grainy?
This happens when cheese gets too hot. Always remove from heat before adding cheese, and shred from blocks rather than using pre-shredded varieties.
Can I Add Vegetables?
Peas, bell peppers, or spinach work beautifully. Add them with the turkey so they don’t overcook. About 1 cup of vegetables integrates perfectly.
More Easy and Delicious Casserole with Pasta
Chicken Noodle Casserole – Classic comfort with tender chicken and egg noodles swimming in creamy sauce
Tuna Noodle Casserole – Retro casserole with tuna, peas, and that irresistible crunchy topping
German Ham and Noodle Casserole – Hearty German-inspired casserole
Pizza Casserole – All your favorite pizza flavors baked into one incredible cheesy pasta casserole
Hamburger Casserole – Ground beef and pasta in rich tomato sauce topped with melted cheese
Turkey Tetrazzini
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 8 ounces brown mushrooms sliced
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese divided in half
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese divided in half
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese divided in half
- 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups turkey cooked, chopped
Optional
- parsley fresh chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onions and sauté for 5 minutes until tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
- Add ½ cup each of Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, along with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheeses melt and the sauce is creamy.
- Stir in the turkey until combined, then remove the pan from heat.
- Spread the cooked spaghetti in the prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is hot, bubbling, and lightly browned on top. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.