Turkey Tetrazzini Pasta Bake
This Turkey Tetrazzini Pasta Bake is a warm, comforting casserole that transforms leftover turkey into a creamy, cheesy pasta dish. Featuring tender turkey chunks, sautéed mushrooms, noodles, and a luscious homemade sauce baked to bubbly golden perfection, it’s perfect for post-holiday meals or easy weeknights and appeals to the entire family.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta and flour)
Protein
- 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped (leftover or rotisserie)
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Base
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for GF)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk or cream
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Pasta and Ingredients: Cook spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large pan, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in some butter until translucent and fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they soften and release their juices.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour to form a roux and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups milk or cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens to a smooth consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme or parsley to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Turkey, Pasta, and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with the chopped turkey, sautéed mushrooms, and creamy sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and half (1/2 cup) of the shredded mozzarella cheese, mixing well to coat everything evenly.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella evenly on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
Notes
- Use day-old turkey for better texture in the casserole.
- Slightly undercook pasta since it will finish cooking while baking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for superior flavor and melting properties.
- Sauté mushrooms thoroughly to amplify the umami flavor.
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to improve slicing and flavor melding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: turkey, tetrazzini, pasta bake, casserole, leftover turkey, comfort food, creamy pasta, cheesy bake