Simple Turkey Bake Using Leftovers (Creamy Pasta Casserole Without Canned Soup)

A homemade method to repurpose leftover turkey, combining pasta, mushrooms and baked turkey in a rich cream sauce finished with a cheesy crust. This dish also freezes well for later use.

I am sure many of you feel the same way, but once a full turkey dinner is finished, leftovers become the main event. While a sandwich loaded with stuffing and gravy is essential at first, by the second day, I am looking for a dish that breaks away from the original feast flavors.

This simple turkey tetrazzini is the answer. Soft pasta, mushrooms and leftover turkey bake together in a homemade cream sauce (forget the canned kind!) and are crowned with a golden, cheesy layer. It is my top choice for using up leftover turkey, and honestly, it ranks among my all-time favorite casseroles.

The best part is that it freezes wonderfully. I often prepare a pan for the days following the holiday and store another portion in the freezer for a night when comfort food is needed.

Highlights of this recipe:

• EXCELLENT FOR CLEARING OUT TURKEY LEFT-OVERS – Once the sandwich phase is over (following Christmas or Thanksgiving), this creamy pasta bake offers a welcome variation.
• EASILY ADAPTED FOR CHICKEN – If cooked turkey is not on hand, this recipe works perfectly with cooked chicken instead. I also have a go-to method for preparing chicken in a Dutch oven that makes dicing simple.
• IDEAL FOR DINNER COMPANY – While this is a straightforward dish to prepare, it has enough elegance to serve at a dinner party.
• CREAMY TEXTURE – Many pasta casseroles can be dry, but this tetrazzini strikes the perfect balance. The sauce coats the pasta perfectly—neither too thick nor too loose. It is just right!
• A TIME-HONORED CLASSIC-This traditional recipe relies on a from-scratch sauce—not cream of mushroom soup. The flavor comes from basic ingredients you likely already have on hand.
• DELICIOUS ANY TIME OF YEAR– While tetrazzini is a fantastic way to use Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey leftovers, this bubbly casserole is perfect for any season using leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie bird.

Ingredients for Turkey Tetrazzini

(A printable recipe card is provided below for your convenience.)

• Cooked turkey – White or dark meat, diced, from leftovers. Cooked chicken is a suitable substitute.
• Thin pasta – I prefer vermicelli, but spaghetti or linguine work perfectly well.
• Butter – Creates a rich, homemade cream sauce.
• Mushrooms – Canned mushroom pieces offer convenience, or sliced fresh mushrooms can be used.
• Flour – Helps thicken the sauce.
• Milk – I choose 2% for the best consistency.
• Chicken stock – Enhances the sauce flavor. Homemade turkey stock is an even better option if available!
• White wine – Adds a subtle layer of depth. Sherry or additional stock can be used as a swap.
• Mozzarella cheese – Stirred into the sauce and sprinkled over the top.
• Panko bread crumbs – Provides a golden, crunchy finish.
• Seasoning is essential – use salt and pepper to your preference.

Detailed instructions for preparing this leftover turkey casserole

1. Step 1: Prepare the pasta. Halve the noodles and boil them in seasoned water until slightly undercooked. They will soften further in the oven. Drain and transfer to a greased Dutch oven or 9 x 13 baking dish.
2. Step 2: Prep your ingredients. While the pasta cooks, measure and arrange all remaining ingredients. This is crucial! Once the sauce begins, the process moves quickly, making it much simpler when everything is prepped and waiting.
3. Step 3: Sauté the mushrooms. Melt butter in a spacious skillet and warm the mushrooms just until heated. Remove them, but retain the flavored butter in the pan for the sauce.
4. Step 4: Create the roux. Blend the flour into the melted butter and cook briefly until it achieves a pale yellow hue. This step is the key to a thick, creamy sauce.
5. Step 5: Prepare the creamy sauce. Gradually add milk and chicken broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue whisking as the mixture thickens, then flavor with salt and pepper. Mix in half the cheese until melted. Incorporate the turkey, mushrooms, and white wine, heating everything through. Don't fret if the sauce appears thin; it will thicken during baking.
6. Step 6: Combine. Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss gently. Finish with the remaining cheese and a topping of panko crumbs.
7. Step 7: Bake. Bake covered at 350°F. Remove the cover and continue baking until bubbling around the edges and the cheese and panko achieve a light golden color. (Specific baking times are detailed in the recipe card below.)

Is it possible to prepare Turkey Tetrazzini in advance or freeze it?

Absolutely, and it’s one of the best features of this dish! Follow the instructions up to the baking stage. Secure the dish with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. When you desire a convenient dinner, defrost it in the fridge overnight and bake according to the directions. It’s like having a ready-made meal waiting for those hectic weeknights!

Ideas for accompanying dishes with turkey tetrazzini

This creamy pasta bake pairs wonderfully with a side salad (such as a spinach salad featuring the poppy seed dressing recipe available on Bildirimlerim) and dinner rolls or garlic toast, also featured on Bildirimlerim.

Alternative ingredients for this casserole dish

• If you favor fresh mushrooms over canned, use 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms as a replacement for the canned variety.
• Monterey Jack cheese makes a delicious alternative to mozzarella.
• Incorporate frozen vegetables, such as peas, to create a vegetable-rich casserole.
• Sherry can stand in for the white wine, or you may use chicken stock as a wine substitute.
• Panko crumbs can be omitted in favor of a parmesan cheese topping.

Guidelines for storing turkey tetrazzini leftovers

Having leftovers is a bonus! This is one of those recipes known to vanish quickly.;)

To store the leftovers, cover in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, to reheat it, let it thaw completely and bake in a 350 degree oven until heated through.

Other Casserole recipes:

• Quick & Easy Turkey Casserole with cream of chicken soup
• Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
• Easy Tater Tot Casserole
• Make ahead Carrot Casserole

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Love having dinner ready to go? Grab my free Freezer Meal Starter Guide for tips, freezer-friendly recipes and everything you need to get started.

This recipe was inspired by Debra’s old fashioned chicken tetrazzini recipe.