Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe For Two

If you have leftover turkey after your Thanksgiving meal and are looking for delicious and creative ways to use the meat, then you will love this Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe. It is a great way to transform the rather bland turkey into something moist and flavorful.

However, if you aren’t familiar with the term Tetrazzini let me explain. It is a baked pasta casserole made with a creamy white sauce, turkey, mushrooms, and peas. Then before it goes in the oven it is often topped with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

As it bakes the sauce thickens and coats the noodles, turkey and vegetables into a casserole that not only is full of flavor, but it is also easy to serve. Best of all, this simple and easy to prepare recipe is extremely versatile and can be made exactly how you like it.

For example, if you aren’t a fan of peas or mushrooms, simply leave them out. Or instead, add corn, diced carrots, celery or green beans.

You can even switch up the type of noodles that you use in this dish, depending on your preference and what you have on hand. And as for using leftover turkey, if you don’t have any you can use cooked rotisserie chicken instead.

Best of all this dish can be prepared and ready for the oven in less than 15 minutes. After a big holiday weekend, I am sure we can all use a recipe like that!

How Long Can You Store Leftover Turkey

However, before making Turkey Tetrazzini, you must make sure that your leftover turkey is safe to eat. Although some enjoy the traditional meal on the holiday itself, many of us will also celebrate on other days when the entire family can be together.

Therefore, it is important to note the date that the leftover turkey was originally prepared. This is vital as leftover turkey can only be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

However it can also be stored in the freezer, in an air-tight container for up to 6 months. But once thawed it must be used within 48 hours.

Therefore, it is best to label the date that the leftover turkey was originally cooked. If it has already been in the refrigerator for 3 days, it is best to freeze the meat.

However I highly suggest dicing the meat and freezing it in one cup individual portions when you typically cook for two. This way you have pre-measured portions that will be easy to use when it is time to make Turkey Stew, Turkey Noodle Casserole or this Turkey Tetrazzini recipe.

What Type of Noodles To Make Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini

Now that you have the turkey ready, it is time to grab a box of pasta. The traditional type of noodle used in Turkey Tetrazzini is spaghetti. However, other types of noodles can take the place of the spaghetti noodles:

• Linguine
• Fettuccine
• Penne
• Rotini

When choosing a type of noodle it is important to select a noodle that is long and thin or one that has ridges to hold the sauce and vegetables. This will help to ensure that the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce and that they are easy to eat.

It is also important to cook the noodles based on the instructions on the package to al’ dente. This means that the noodles should be cooked until they are just tender, but still have a bit of bite to them. Overcooked noodles will become mushy and will not hold up well in the casserole.

What Vegetables Are In Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini

The most common vegetables in Turkey Tetrazzini are peas and mushrooms. However, other vegetables can also be added, such as:

• Carrots
• Celery
• Onions
• Peppers
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Asparagus
• Spinach

It is important to choose vegetables that will cook evenly and that will complement the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish. For example, carrots and celery are good choices because they add a bit of sweetness and crunch to the casserole.

Broccoli and cauliflower are also good choices because they add a bit of texture and flavor. Just be sure to dice them in small sections to make it easy to eat.

If you are adding leafy green vegetables be sure to add them when you add the milk. This will allow them enough time to wilt so they can easily be tossed with the pasta.

What Size Baking Dish When Making Casseroles For Two?

In general, the best size casserole dish to use when making a meal for two people is in an 8 x 8 inch square baking dish or a 7 x 5 inch rectangular baking dish. However, the actual baking dish size will depend on what you are making.

For a casserole where layers are important, such as lasagna, you will want to small enough dish so that the layers can stack appropriately. However for this recipe, you can use a standard, small square, rectangle or oval baking dish.

Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces spaghetti noodles, uncooked
• 2 Tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup diced mushrooms
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 cup chopped cooked turkey
• 1/4 cup frozen peas

INSTRUCTIONS

Before starting this Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini recipe preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then lightly grease a small baking dish. Set it aside.

Bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook until al’ dente per package instructions. Drain, and place in the prepared baking dish.

Drizzle the noodles with extra virgin olive oil and toss if the pasta will be sitting in the baking dish for more than a minute or two. This will prevent the noodles from clumping together.

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onions and mushrooms and saute for 4-5 minutes or until softened.

Whisk the flour into the butter mixture until a roux forms. Then add the chicken broth and frozen peas to the pot. Cook and stir until the mixture just comes to a light boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the milk and turkey. Add half of the Parmesan cheese and remove the pan from the heat. Continue to stir until the mixture is smooth and the cheese is melted.

Pour the mixture over the spaghetti noodles and toss to combine. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bake Time Required

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour or until the top turns light golden brown in color.

Remove the Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! Mary

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