Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini

Spaghetti and leftover turkey baked in a creamy mushroom and Parmesan sauce with peas under a golden crumb topping. The best use for the day-after turkey. Serves 8.

Baking dish of turkey tetrazzini with a golden crumb top and a serving on a plate
  • Prep 20 min
  • Cook 45 min
  • Total 1 hr 5 min
  • Yield 8 servings

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Turkey tetrazzini is the classic way to turn Thanksgiving leftovers into a whole new dinner. Spaghetti and chunks of turkey are folded into a creamy mushroom sauce with a little sherry and Parmesan, then baked under buttery crumbs.

It assembles quickly and freezes beautifully, so it is worth making a double batch.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
  • 4 cups chopped cooked turkey
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta. Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 9 x 13-inch dish. Cook the spaghetti 2 minutes short of al dente and drain.
  2. Make the sauce. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot and cook the mushrooms and onion 8 minutes. Stir in the flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the broth, milk and sherry. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Combine. Fold in the spaghetti, turkey and peas and spread in the baking dish.
  4. Top and bake. Melt the remaining butter, toss with the panko and remaining Parmesan and sprinkle over the top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Sprinkle with parsley.

Tips

  • Cooked chicken works the same way.
  • To freeze, assemble without the topping, wrap well, and freeze up to 3 months; thaw, add the topping and bake.

Questions about this recipe

What is tetrazzini?
A creamy baked pasta of poultry, mushrooms and Parmesan, named for the opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini.
Can I leave out the sherry?
Yes; add an extra splash of broth.

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