Turkey Tetrazzini

Looking for a simple recipe for turkey tetrazzini? You have come to the right place. It’s a pasta dish that is made with leftover turkey, mushrooms, cheese, and a creamy sauce, baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. It is a great way to use up your Thanksgiving bird, or any cooked turkey you have on hand.

The origins of turkey tetrazzini are not very clear, but some sources say that it was named after the Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, who was popular in the early 20th century. She was known for her love of food and her generous figure. Some say that the dish was created for her by a chef in San Francisco, where she performed in 1910. Others say that it was invented by a chef in New York, where she lived for a while. Either way, the dish became a classic of American cuisine and a favorite of many families.

There are many variations of turkey tetrazzini, but here is one simple recipe that you can try at home. You will need:

– 12 ounces of dry spaghetti

– 3 tablespoons of butter

– 1 onion, diced

– 3 cloves of garlic, minced

– 3/4 pound of mushrooms, sliced

– 3 tablespoons of flour

– 2 1/4 cups of chicken broth

– 8 ounces of spreadable cream cheese (garlic flavor)

– 1 1/3 cups of light cream or half & half

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped

– 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

– 2 cups of cooked turkey, chopped

– 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, shredded

– 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, grated

To make the turkey tetrazzini, follow these steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook the onion, garlic, and mushrooms until soft, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.

4. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, cream cheese, and light cream. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, parsley, and Italian seasoning.

5. In a large bowl, toss the spaghetti with the turkey and half of the mozzarella cheese. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

6. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti and turkey mixture and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Optional: Accompany it with a green salad or some crusty bread.

Did you know that there are many variations of this dish? You can customize it with different ingredients, cheeses, toppings, and even proteins. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

– Protein: Instead of turkey, you can use cooked chicken, tuna, salmon, ham, or sausage. You can also use rotisserie chicken for convenience.

– Pasta: You can use any type of pasta you like, such as angel hair, linguine, fettuccine, or penne. Just make sure to cook it al dente so it doesn’t get mushy in the oven.

– Cheese: You can use different cheeses to change the flavor and texture of the sauce. Try cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Gruyere. You can also add some cream cheese for extra creaminess.

– Sauce: You can make your own sauce from scratch with butter, flour, milk, and broth, or use a shortcut like canned soup or jarred Alfredo sauce. You can also add some sour cream or mayonnaise for tanginess.

– Vegetables: You can add some veggies to your tetrazzini for color and nutrition. Try peas, green beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, or spinach. You can also sauté some onion, garlic, and mushrooms for more flavor.

– Topping: You can top your tetrazzini with more cheese, bread crumbs, croutons, French fried onions, or crushed potato chips. You can also sprinkle some paprika, parsley, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor.

These are just some variations that you can try; feel free to experiment with your own combinations.

And Turkey Sandwiches in Two Ways

Turkey sandwiches are a delicious and easy way to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or any other occasion. Here are two distinct ways to make turkey sandwiches that are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

The first way is to make a classic turkey club sandwich. You will need:

• 3 slices of bread, lightly toasted
• 4 slices of cooked turkey
• 2 slices of bacon, cooked and drained
• 2 lettuce leaves
• 2 tomato slices
• Mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper

To assemble the sandwich, spread some mayonnaise on one slice of bread and place it on a plate. Top it with two slices of turkey, a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice, and some salt and pepper. Spread some more mayonnaise on another slice of bread and place it on top of the first layer. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, ending with the third slice of bread. Cut the sandwich into quarters and secure each piece with a toothpick.

The second way is to make a cranberry turkey sandwich. You will need:

• 2 slices of bread, preferably whole wheat or multigrain
• 3 slices of cooked turkey
• 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon of cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of baby spinach leaves

To make the sandwich, spread the cream cheese on one slice of bread and the cranberry sauce on the other. Place the turkey slices on top of the cream cheese and the spinach leaves on top of the cranberry sauce. Close the sandwich and cut it in half.

You can enjoy these for either lunch or dinner. Try them out!