Turkey tetrazzini is a delicious comfort food recipe made with shredded turkey and cooked spaghetti baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce that the whole family will love.

Turkey Tetrazzini

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you're staring at a pile of leftover turkey and don't want another boring sandwich, this is the answer. Turkey tetrazzini is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor — and the best part is how fast it comes together.Just mix everything in one bowl, bake it off, and you've got a comforting crowd-pleaser with almost no effort.

This turkey tetrazzini hits all the marks — it's creamy, comforting, and unbelievably simple, but still feels like a brand-new meal made from leftovers. My version skips anything complicated and goes straight for the good stuff: tender turkey, perfectly coated pasta, and a silky sauce that bakes into pure cozy perfection. It's the kind of no-fuss, guaranteed-hit recipe you'll want to make every year after Thanksgiving... and honestly, any time you have extra turkey hanging around.

Ingredients

Heres everything you'll need to make this delicious meal. You can find the full list of ingredients along with measurements in the recipe card below.

Spaghetti- The hearty and comforting base to the entire dish,
Cream Of Mushroom Soup- Brings extra creaminess and adds a delicious mushroom flavor throughout.
Sour Cream- Adds a cool, creamy richness to the sauce.
Chicken Broth- Keeps the ingredients moist while baking and adds extra flavor.
Cooked and Cubed Turkey- Packs this meal with protein.
Parmesan Cheese- Adds a nutty and salty layer of flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese- Melts together to add a creamy flavor and help bind the spaghetti to the other ingredients.
Salt- Enhances all the other ingredients.
Pepper- Cuts the richness of the of the sauce.
Garlic Powder- Adds a garlicy layer of flavor to the whole meal.
Parsley- An optional garnish that brings a pop of color to the finished dish.

Instructions

Heres how to make this delicious meal. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions in the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 350

First, in a large bowl, add the cooked spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, cubed turkey, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Season it with salt, pepper and garlic powder and mix everything together until it’s evenly combined.

PRO TIP: Make sure the spaghetti is cooked to al dente only so it doesn't get too mushy while its baking.

turkey tetrazzini ingredients mixed in a bowl

Then, place it into a 9 x 13” greased baking dish and spread it out until it’s flat and even. Next, sprinkle the top with the rest of the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

PRO TIP: Just a little cooking spray down into the baking dish will prevent the pasta from sticking to the sides when baking.

turkey tetrazzini in the baking dish with cheese on top

Now, place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Finally, let it cool slightly, top with parsley (optional) and serve warm. Enjoy!

PRO TIP: Placing the baking dish into the center rack of the oven will let the heat get all around the dish and ensure it all cooks evenly.

NOTE: Be sure to bake this uncovered so the cheese can get melt to the perfect gooey texture.

Can I Use Chicken Instead Of Turkey?

Yes, you absolutely can! This recipe works perfectly with shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked and cubed chicken breast.

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes, this recipe can be made ahead of time for sure. Just assemble it as the instructions suggest, cover it tightly and place it into the fridge for up to 24 hours. It may need a few extra minutes of cooking time if its going into the oven cold.

Can I Use Different Cream Soups?

Yes, cream of mushroom is the classic choice, but cream of chicken or cream of celery work great, too. You can even mix two types together for different flavors.

What Kind Of Pasta Works Best?

Spaghetti is traditional but linguine, fettuccine, penne or any medium pasta shape works. Just be sure they're only cooked to al dente so they don't become mushy when cooking.

Can I Add Vegetables To This?

Yes, absolutely. Peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms or spinach are all great add ins.

Storage

Let the pasta cool completely and place it into an air tight storage container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe freezes well, too. Just place it into a freezer safe air tight container and it will freeze well for up to three months.