Classic Creamy Pasta Bake

Featured in Pasta dishes that make everyone smile.

Transform extra turkey into a creamy spaghetti casserole with mushrooms, topped with crispy parmesan for a new, hearty meal.
Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Thu, 15 May 2025 13:06:10 GMT
A pasta bake with mushrooms, peas, and crunchy breadcrumbs in a dish. Pin it
A pasta bake with mushrooms, peas, and crunchy breadcrumbs in a dish. | tastyhush.com

Here’s how I turn extra holiday turkey into something totally irresistible! Every year after Thanksgiving, I whip up this Turkey Tetrazzini. It’s wild how leftover turkey turns into this super creamy, cozy bake. My family actually gets more excited for it than for the holiday feast!

What Makes Turkey Tetrazzini Awesome

This one’s so forgiving! Whether you grab leftover Thanksgiving turkey or some chicken from yesterday’s dinner, it always tastes out of this world. That rich sauce wraps every noodle, giving you that unbeatable comfort with each forkful. It really is casserole magic.

Star Players in Turkey Tetrazzini

  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Seriously, don’t skip this. It gives the best crispy finish.
  • Frozen Peas: Adds a sweet bite and lots of color.
  • Cheddar and Parmesan: Life’s better with both cheeses!
  • Heavy Cream and Broth: The creamy duo that makes the sauce so dreamy.
  • White Wine: A splash brings extra pop to the whole thing.
  • Butter and Garlic: They’re the flavor MVPs in the pan.
  • Mushrooms: I like baby bellas but honestly any kind is great.
  • Spaghetti: Cook it just barely done so it finishes in the oven.

Easy Turkey Tetrazzini

Bake to Perfection
Pop it in the oven—your kitchen’ll smell amazing in no time!
Crown Your Creation
Sprinkle that mix of panko and parmesan for an epic golden top.
Mix and Match
Combine all your goodness so every noodle gets saucy goodness.
Create the Sauce
Take your time whisking—smooth sauce is worth the wait.
Mushroom Magic
Sauté mushrooms in butter, garlic, a bit of wine—take in that aroma.
Start with the Pasta
Boil water, cook pasta till it’s just shy of done—it’ll finish baking.

Little Tricks I Swear By

  • That Crunchy Top: Promise me you’ll throw panko on before baking! Crunch heaven.
  • Mix It Up: Chicken or even ham make awesome swaps if you’re outta turkey.
  • Turkey Talk: Even turkey that’s a little dried out gets a second chance with this sauce.

Stay Tasty Longer

Stick what’s left in the fridge — it stays tasty for a few days. Just heat gently in your microwave or the oven. The sauce still turns out all creamy!

Awesome Sides to Go With It

This is super hearty by itself but I love it next to a crunchy salad. Got extra holiday sides? Toss those on too. I swear, everything’s even better after a day in the fridge.

Creamy pasta covered in golden crumbs with a sprinkle of peas on top. Pin it
Creamy pasta covered in golden crumbs with a sprinkle of peas on top. | tastyhush.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this in advance?
Definitely! Assemble everything except the breadcrumbs, refrigerate covered, and bake within 2 days.
→ Is freezing an option for this dish?
Sure, freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight before cooking.
→ Can I swap the pasta type?
Yep, other shapes like rotini, penne, or fettuccine work just as well as spaghetti.
→ What can I replace white wine with?
You can sub in extra chicken broth or a little white wine vinegar for a similar kick.
→ Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Of course! Swap the turkey for cooked chicken using the same amount.

Turkey Tetrazzini Pasta

A creamy baked dish mixing leftover turkey, mushrooms, and spaghetti, finished with crunchy breadcrumbs. Ideal for making the most of leftovers.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (One 13x9-inch casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Nonstick spray.
02 Sea salt.
03 1 pound of spaghetti.
04 6 tablespoons of butter, divided up.
05 2 garlic cloves, minced.
06 1 pound of sliced baby bella mushrooms.
07 1/2 cup of dry white wine.
08 1/4 cup plain flour.
09 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock with reduced sodium.
10 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.
11 Freshly cracked black pepper.
12 2 pounds of chopped leftover turkey (around 5 cups).
13 1 cup of frozen peas.
14 1 cup of shredded cheddar (white).
15 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
16 1 cup of panko crumbs.
17 1/2 cup of Parmesan, finely grated.
18 2 tablespoons of olive oil, extra virgin.

Instructions

Step 01

Set oven to 350°F. Spray your 13x9-inch pan with nonstick spray.

Step 02

Cook pasta in salty water just until firm to the bite. Drain it.

Step 03

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, cook mushrooms and garlic with wine until they soften up.

Step 04

Toss in remaining butter and flour, cook till golden. Stir in broth and cream until it thickens.

Step 05

Combine turkey, peas, cheddar, oregano, and pasta into the sauce. Put the mix in your greased dish.

Step 06

Stir together panko, Parmesan, and olive oil. Spread this over the top.

Step 07

Bake for about 25 mins til it’s golden and bubbling. Let cool 10 mins before serving.

Notes

  1. Perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
  2. You can prep this ahead of time.
  3. Freezer-friendly.

Tools You'll Need

  • 13x9-inch pan.
  • Big Dutch oven.
  • Large pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter, cream).
  • Includes wheat (breadcrumbs, flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 650
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 42 g