Classic Ina Garten Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

Turkey tetrazzini emerges as a culinary hero for transforming mundane leftovers into a spectacular dinner sensation.

Passionate home cooks celebrate this dish for its ingenious blend of comfort and creativity.

Silky noodles dance with tender chunks of poultry in a luxurious sauce that whispers gourmet sophistication.

Creamy and indulgent, the recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that sparks joy at the dinner table.

Generations have embraced this classic casserole as a go-to solution for repurposing roasted meat with minimal effort.

Each forkful promises a nostalgic journey through layers of flavor and texture that comfort the soul.

Check out this delectable recipe and unlock the magic of transforming simple ingredients into a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

How to Whip Up Turkey Tetrazzini Like Ina Garten

Craft Cozy Turkey Spaghetti Bake

• Preheat Culinary Canvas

Set your oven to 350°F, creating a warm environment for delicious transformation.

• Boil Pasta Perfection

Cook spaghetti just shy of fully done, recognizing it’ll continue softening during baking.

• Build Flavor Foundation

Sauté minced garlic and mushrooms in butter until golden, developing rich taste layers.

• Enhance with Wine Magic

Splash white wine into mushroom mixture, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors.

• Create Silky Sauce

Whisk flour into mushroom base, then gradually incorporate turkey broth and cream cheese until sauce becomes luxuriously smooth.

• Blend Delectable Elements

Mix in shredded cheeses, crispy bacon, green peas, sliced olives, and tender turkey pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper.

• Combine and Bake

Fold spaghetti into sauce, transfer to baking dish, top with crunchy breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly and golden.

• Serve Warmly

Let dish rest briefly, allowing flavors to meld before presenting this comforting meal.

Turkey Tetrazzini Flavor Boosts from Ina’s Kitchen

Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, gouda, or fontina to create a unique flavor profile that reflects your personal taste preferences.

Swap turkey for rotisserie chicken, shredded duck, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh to suit various dietary needs and keep the dish exciting.

Toast panko breadcrumbs with herbs or add crushed nuts for extra crunch, or mix in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for added texture and nutritional boost.

Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, pop it directly into the oven for a stress-free meal prep strategy.

How to Serve Ina Garten’s Comforting Turkey Tetrazzini

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the top to add a burst of color and bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.
• Pair with Crisp Side Salad: Create a light, zesty green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty, cheesy pasta dish.
• Make It a Wine Night: Complement the creamy turkey pasta with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the dish's subtle mushroom and wine undertones.
• Elevate with Garlic Bread: Serve alongside toasted garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy pasta texture.

Best Way to Store Ina Garten’s Turkey Tetrazzini Leftovers

• Maximize Meal Prep: Plan Ahead for Delicious Convenience
• Prepare this turkey spaghetti casserole in advance by assembling the entire dish up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days before cooking.
• Freeze Like a Pro: Long-Term Storage Solutions
• Wrap the casserole tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, storing for up to 3 months to enjoy a quick, comforting meal anytime.
• Reheat with Perfection: Bringing Leftovers Back to Life
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out and adding a splash of turkey broth to maintain moisture.
• Smart Portion Control: Individual Serving Magic
• Divide the casserole into single-serve containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, ensuring delicious meals are always just a microwave minute away.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 8

Essentials for Ina Garten’s Turkey Tetrazzini

• Spaghetti: Choose thin, high-quality pasta for optimal texture and even sauce absorption.

• Turkey, Bacon, Cream Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Select fresh, lean turkey and crispy bacon for rich, complex flavor profiles.

• Mushrooms, Green Peas, Garlic, Black Olives: Pick firm, fresh mushrooms and bright green peas to add vibrant color and earthy undertones.

• White Wine, Turkey Broth, Butter, Flour: Use dry white wine and low-sodium turkey broth for balanced, nuanced taste without overwhelming saltiness.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Select golden, crisp breadcrumbs that will create a delightful textural contrast on the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Choose high-quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate overall dish complexity.

Cooking Tools for Turkey Tetrazzini the Ina Way

• Large Pot: Perfect for sautéing mushrooms and building creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending flour and creating lump-free sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic, mushrooms, and cream cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Helps quarter mushrooms and cube cream cheese precisely.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Large Baking Dish: Ideal for combining pasta with sauce and final baking.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Colander: Used for draining perfectly cooked spaghetti.
• Oven Mitts: Necessary for safely handling hot dishes and baking.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan if desired.

Elegant Ina Garten Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Ina Garten turkey tetrazzini celebrates comfort with a luxurious pasta dish from American culinary tradition. Parmesan-coated noodles and tender turkey create a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
• 4 slices bacon, fried and cut into bits
• 1.5 lbs (680 g) thin spaghetti, broken in half
• 1 lb (454 g) white mushrooms, quartered
• 1 cup white wine
• 4 cups turkey or chicken broth, plus extra for thinning
• 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese
• 1 cup finely chopped black olives
• 1.5 cups frozen green peas
• 4 tbsps butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp salt, plus extra to taste
• ⅓ cup flour
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Preparation Prelude: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), setting the stage for a perfectly baked casserole.
2. Pasta Performance: Cook spaghetti in salted water until just shy of fully cooked, remembering it will continue to soften during baking.
3. Aromatic Foundation: In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Introduce garlic and sauté until its fragrance fills the kitchen, then add mushrooms with a pinch of salt, cooking until they caramelize and release their moisture.
4. Flavor Intensity: Deglaze the pot with white wine, allowing it to reduce by half, concentrating the culinary essence. Dust flour over the mixture, stirring to eliminate raw flour notes and create a robust thickening base.
5. Sauce Symphony: Gradually whisk in turkey broth, creating a silky smooth sauce. Incorporate cream cheese cubes, stirring until they partially melt, leaving tantalizing creamy pockets throughout.
6. Harmonious Blend: Fold in Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses, crispy bacon, black olives, green peas, and cooked turkey. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor profile. Combine with spaghetti, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated – adding turkey broth if the mixture seems too dense.
7. Baking Crescendo: Transfer the creamy mixture to a baking dish, crown with panko breadcrumbs for a crisp texture, and bake for 20 minutes until the casserole bubbles vigorously and the breadcrumbs transform into a golden-brown crown.
8. Finishing Touch: Let the dish rest briefly, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving, creating a truly memorable culinary experience.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook spaghetti just shy of al dente to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a perfectly textured final dish.
• Flavor Layering: Sauté mushrooms until golden brown to develop deep, rich umami notes that elevate the entire casserole’s taste profile.
• Sauce Smoothness: Whisk broth gradually and consistently to avoid lumps, creating a silky sauce that coats every ingredient beautifully.
• Crispy Topping Technique: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly for a guaranteed crunchy golden crust that adds textural contrast to the creamy casserole.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg