Turkey Tetrazzini is the ultimate casserole to make with leftover turkey! Made with a from-scratch creamy sauce, sauteed mushrooms, and leftover turkey, this creamy, comforting turkey tetrazzini comes together with ease to deliver a family favorite casserole.
Looking for more Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes? If still have some turkey left after enjoying this turkey tetrazzini, enjoy Southwest Turkey Soup, Instant Pot Turkey Noodle Soup, or a Turkey Apple and Cheddar Sandwich.
![Turkey Tetrazzini Turkey Tetrazzini dished out in white bowl topped with fresh parsley.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Recipe-Turkey-Tetrazzini-1.jpg)
This recipe for Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini is high on our list of favorite leftover turkey recipes. What is not to love about leftover turkey is tossed with homemade cream of mushroom sauce, tender noodles, and parmesan cheese?! But what really makes this casserole irresistible, is the crispy, buttery topping!
And don't worry, even though this recipe does not rely on condensed soup, it STILL comes together with minimal effort. And after cooking for Thanksgiving, we all need EASY recipes that come together with minimal effort to recreate our leftovers into a delicious new dish.
Ingredients at a Glance
![Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe Ingredients for Turkey Tetrazzini labeled on white counter.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Homemade-Turkey-Tetrazzini.jpg)
Don't be overwhelmed by the number of ingredients pictured here. Other than a few pantry staples and leftover turkey, you just need fresh mushrooms, dry sherry (which is optional) and parmesan cheese to make this turkey tetrazzini.
important note on leftover turkey
Keep in mind that leftover turkey is only safe to consume for up to 4 days after baking unless frozen. It is best to prepare and consume Turkey Tetrazzini within 4 days of preparing turkey OR use defrosted frozen, cooked turkey.
How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cook Noodles. Begin this recipe by bringing a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Once boiling, drop the noodles into the water and let them cook while you prepare the mushroom creamy sauce.
- Saute Mushrooms. Sauteing the mushrooms and thyme in a bit of melted butter will begin to build a rich base for the turkey tetrazzini.
![Turkey Tetrazzini with Mushrooms Sauteed mushrooms in skillet with herbs.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Turkey-Tetrazzini-with-Mushrooms.jpg)
- Make a Roux. Whisk flour into the skillet, forming a thick paste, and let that cook for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
- Deglaze Pan. Adding dry sherry or white wine to the sauce adds an acidic, rich note to the dish and really elevates this casserole.
- Whisk in Liquid and Seasonings. Slowly whisk the chicken stock and milk into the sauce. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper and let simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken.
![Turkey Tetrazzini NO Canned Soup Mushroom and cream sauce in large skillet.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/From-Scratch-Turkey-Casserole.jpg)
- Toss Together. Toss the mushroom cream sauce with parmesan cheese, leftover turkey, and the cooked noodles.
- Assemble Turkey Tetrazzini. Transfer the pasta mixture to a large casserole dish and top with a mixture of breadcrumbs, parmesan, and melted butter.
![Easy Turkey Tetrazzini Turkey Casserole with bread crumb topping in white casserole dish.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Easy-Turkey-Tetrazzini.jpg)
- Bake and Serve. Turkey Tetrazzini is a delicious, hearty casserole that is best served with a fresh vegetable or salad on the side. I like to keep it simple and serve leftover vegetables or a leftover salad from your holiday meal.
![Easy Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe Baked turkey tetrazzini in white casserole dish topped with minced parsley.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Leftover-Turkey-Casserole-Recipe.jpg)
Substitutions
- No Sherry Wine? A little bit of dry sherry adds incredible depth of flavor to the homemade cream sauce. That said, you can replace the sherry with dry white wine, such as chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, or dry marsala wine.
- Omit the Alcohol. If you don't care to cook with alcohol, use additional chicken stock in place of the sherry.
- No Fresh Thyme? Use ½ teaspoon of dried thyme leaves in place of the fresh thyme. Do not use ground thyme as the flavor is way too overpowering.
- Noodles: While spaghetti noodles are traditional for Turkey Tetrazzini, you can use elbow noodles, rotini noodles, or cavatappi.
- Hate Mushrooms? Omit them! The sauce will be plenty delicious without the mushrooms.
- Add Another Vegetable. Feel free to add up to 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables or peas prior to baking the casserole.
- Swap the Turkey. Replace the cooked turkey with leftover rotisserie chicken, baked ham, or Instant Pot ham.
More Favorite Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe for Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
![Turkey Tetrazzini dished out in white bowl topped with fresh parsley.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Turkey-Tetrazzini-360x360.jpg)
Homemade Turkey Tetrazzini
Ingredients
For the Turkey Tetrazzini
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces button mushrooms sliced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves (not ground thyme)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup dry sherry or dry white wine or chicken stock
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked turkey cubed
For the Topping
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ teaspoon thyme leaves optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉ and butter a 9x13 inch baking dish or 4-quart casserole dish.
- While you are preparing the sauce, cook 8 ounces of noodles in heavily salted boiling water for 1 minute less than the package directions state. Drain noodles, reserving ¼ cup of cooking liquid.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add in 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and cook until brown and most of the liquid evaporates. Add in 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Sprinkle the mushrooms with ⅓ cup flour and cook for 1 minute to get rid of any raw flour taste.
- Add in ⅓ cup sherry wine (or equal amounts for dry white wine or chicken stock) and cook until the liquid evaporates.
- Slowly add in 2 cups chicken stock, whisking into the mushrooms. Add in 2 cups of milk, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and ½ teaspoon pepper, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in ½ cup of Parmesan cheese and turn off the heat.
- Add 2 cups of cubed or shredded turkey and the cooked noodles to the cream sauce and stir to combine. If the mixture seems too thick, add in the reserved pasta cooking liquid.
- Pour the turkey and pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Prepare bread crumb topping by mixing together the 1 cup bread crumbs, ¼ cup parmesan, ½ teaspoon thyme, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter together. Sprinkle that mixture evenly over the turkey casserole.
- Bake the turkey tetrazzini until bubbly and golden, for 20-25 minutes, or until warmed through and golden.
Karen Glenn
This looks delicious!! Can the leftovers be frozen?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Karen! This is one recipe I don't recommend freezing due to the fact that the cream can separate a bit when thawed. It is safe to do so, but the texture may be a bit off-putting.
Alice Tucker
I made half recipe but it came out dry. Next time I’ll use more sauce and cover with foil
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Alice. Thanks for your feedback. It may have been that the cooking time needed reduced or a smaller pan needed to be used.
Sulo
Thank you for this basic delicious recipe - i was looking a long time for a classic Turkey Tetrazinni without added peas, peppers etc. This is perfect with a green salad and focaccia or baguette.
Mindy
Delicious!! Made according to recipe. Used milk, marsala cooking wine, Italian seasoning. That and nutmeg gives nice flavor.
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Berie
Thank you!!!
Mary
Excellent dish. A welcome change!
Kristen Chidsey
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed, Mary!
DANIEL ALSPAUGH
Amazingly delicious, next time I hope to have sherry and nutmeg to add. I added some onion. My suggestion if it was dry is don't over cook and if it seems a little runny that's OK because by the time it has cooked and sits for a bit it will evaporate some but I'm careful not to lose the creamy taste.
Kim
Very good. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks, Kim! I love hearing you enjoyed this recipe for Tetrazzini.
Angela mughal
I not only did the way you said; I also did layer of spaghetti, Frozen peas, Frozen zucchini blend: and turkey then repeat layer of spaghetti, peas, zucchini blend and this time instead of turkey I added leftover ham then layer of spaghetti. In sauce along with parietal I also added shredded Colby jack cheese. I also added some cinnamon to sauce and fresh minced garlic; celery and carrots.Then topped with the shredded cheese then panko noodles. This dish is out of this world. Kids love it.
Diana
Great looking recipe! I know what I'm having for dinner tonight, yum!
Nellie Tracy
Delicious! Great recipe to have on hand with holiday season looming!
Deb
How much nutmeg do you add? I couldn't find it in the recipe.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Deb! It is 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg. Enjoy!
Greg M
This is a great Tetrazzini recipe. I made it as written with the exception that I added 1 red onion chopped and caramelized. I also halved the recipe because there is only 2 people in my household. It turned out great. Thank you for sharing.
Kristen Chidsey
I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review!
Araceli Rodriguez
It was easy and not as heavy as other recipes of other chefs. My family really like it. Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
I am glad your family enjoyed this lightened up version 🙂
Deborah Schroder
How would you alter to cook in an Instant Pot?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Deborah, I have not tried this recipe in the Instant Pot and it would take a lot of experiments in order to get the proportions correct and not get a burn notice.
wilhelmina
I have made this several times and it is pure comfort food! It is great for using up leftovers but totally worth cooking up chicken or turkey just to make this. So yummy!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoy so much Wilhelmina!