If you're anything like me, you love Thanksgiving for the delicious food and quality time with loved ones, but find yourself overwhelmed with leftovers the next day. Luckily, there are countless delicious recipes that use Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways, and one of my personal favorites is turkey tetrazzini. This hearty and flavorful dish is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey and other Thanksgiving staples like mushrooms, peas, and pasta. Not only is it a delicious way to repurpose your leftovers, but it's also a great option for a quick and easy meal during the busy holiday season. In this article, I'll share my go-to turkey tetrazzini recipe and all the tips and tricks you need to make it a success.
Main Ingredients: Biscuits, Buns, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes
Don't let your Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste! Instead, turn them into a delicious breakfast sandwich. Layer slices of leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce between two slices of toasted bread. Add a fried egg and top it off with a sprinkle of grated cheese for the ultimate breakfast treat.
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Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
Main Ingredients: Thin Spaghetti, Turkey, Sliced Mushrooms, White Onion
This creamy and comforting dish is the perfect way to use up your leftover turkey. Mix together cooked spaghetti, diced turkey, mushrooms, peas, and a simple cream sauce. Top it off with a generous sprinkle of breadcrumbs and grated cheese before baking it in the oven until golden and bubbly.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
Main Ingredients: Stuffing, Cooked Turkey, Mayonnaise, Whole Berry
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a hearty and satisfying casserole. Layer slices of turkey, leftover vegetables, and mashed potatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with gravy and sprinkle with herbs and breadcrumbs before baking until everything is heated through and the top is crispy.
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Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (aka Thanksgiving...
Main Ingredients: Butter Oil, Onion, Carrots, Celery, Minced Garlic
Put a Thanksgiving twist on the classic shepherd's pie with this recipe that uses leftover turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Top it off with a layer of creamy mushroom sauce before baking until the potatoes are golden and the filling is bubbling.
If you want to switch things up from the traditional roasted turkey for Thanksgiving, try this flavorful recipe. Marinate the turkey in a mixture of herbs and spices before roasting it in the oven. The result is a juicy and flavorful bird that your guests will love.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Risotto
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Mushrooms, Butter, Fresh Sage, Red
Risotto is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and turkey from Thanksgiving. Simply sauté the vegetables and turkey in a pan, then add in arborio rice and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the rice is cooked and the mixture is creamy. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve with a side of leftover cranberry sauce.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Frittata
Main Ingredients: Ditalini, Unsalted Butter, Green Beans, Turkey, Pearl
Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a tasty frittata. Sauté chopped vegetables and turkey in a pan, then pour in beaten eggs and cook until set. Top with a sprinkle of cheese and leftover gravy before broiling until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
This comforting and hearty pot pie is the perfect way to use up your leftover turkey. Sauté vegetables and diced turkey in a pan, then mix in a creamy sauce and pour everything into a pie crust. Top with another layer of crust and bake until golden and crispy.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers- Turkey Hash
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Onion, Garlic, Olive, Turmeric
This simple and satisfying dish is a great way to use up leftover turkey, potatoes, and vegetables. Sauté everything together in a pan until heated through and crispy. Serve with a fried egg on top and a dollop of leftover cranberry sauce for a delicious breakfast or brunch option.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Galette
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Salt, Unsalted Butter, Ice Cold
This rustic and flavorful galette is a great way to use up leftover turkey, vegetables, and cranberry sauce. Roll out a pie crust and fill it with a mixture of turkey, vegetables, and cranberry sauce. Fold the crust over the filling and bake until golden and crispy.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Muffins
Main Ingredients: Stuffing, Turkey, Large Eggs, Leftover Gravy, Relish
These savory muffins are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and vegetables. Simply mix the mashed potatoes with some flour, eggs, and diced vegetables and turkey. Bake until golden and serve as a tasty side dish or snack.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Breakfast Hash
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Dressing, Brussels Sprouts, Leftover Gravy
This hearty and flavorful breakfast hash is a great way to use up leftover turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Sauté everything together in a pan until heated through and crispy. Top with a fried egg and a drizzle of leftover gravy for a delicious breakfast option.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Hot Pockets
Main Ingredients: Pie Dough, Leftover Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing
These homemade hot pockets are a tasty way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Fill a pocket of dough with a mixture of turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, then bake until golden and crispy. Serve with a side of leftover cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Potato Skins
Main Ingredients: Potato, Stuffing, Turkey, Mozzarella Cheese, Cranberry
Put a twist on the classic potato skins by using leftover mashed potatoes instead of whole potatoes. Fill the potato skins with a mixture of diced turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, then bake until heated through and crispy. Top with a dollop of sour cream and some leftover cranberry sauce for a tasty snack or appetizer.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Bell Peppers
Main Ingredients: Bell Peppers, Turkey, Yellow Onion, Dressing, Garlic
These stuffed bell peppers are a great way to use up leftover turkey and vegetables. Mix together the turkey and vegetables with some rice and cheese, then stuff the mixture into bell peppers and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
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Thanksgiving Pizza {Leftovers}
Main Ingredients: Flatbread, Turkey, Green Bean, Fried Onions, Salted
Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, and this Thanksgiving leftovers pizza is no exception. Spread leftover mashed potatoes on a pre-made pizza crust, then top with diced turkey, vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese. Bake until golden and crispy and serve with a side of leftover cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Tortilla Wrap
Main Ingredients: Large Flour Tortilla, Cranberry Sauce, Turkey
This quick and easy wrap is a tasty way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers. Fill a tortilla with a mixture of diced turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, then roll it up and toast it in a pan until crispy. Serve with a side of leftover cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Turkey
This simple and delicious casserole is a great way to use up all of your Thanksgiving leftovers. Mix together turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes with some cream of mushroom soup and top with a layer of cheese. Bake until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Main Ingredients: Butter, Medium Onion, Turkey, Carrots, Green Beans
This twist on the classic shepherd's pie uses leftover turkey and vegetables from Thanksgiving. Mix together the turkey and vegetables with a simple cream sauce, then top with a layer of mashed potatoes and bake until golden and bubbly.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers, Turkey Pizza
Main Ingredients: Pizza Crust, Olive Oil, Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
This creative pizza uses leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, and vegetables as toppings. Spread mashed potatoes on a pre-made pizza crust, then top with a mixture of diced turkey and vegetables and a sprinkle of cheese. Bake until golden and crispy and serve with a side of leftover cranberry sauce for dipping.
Ingredients:
Turkey:
The star ingredient of this dish is, of course, leftover turkey. You can use both light and dark meat, and it's a great way to use up any small pieces that may have been overlooked during the initial Thanksgiving feast. Simply shred or chop the turkey into bite-sized pieces to add to the tetrazzini.
Mushrooms:
Another classic Thanksgiving ingredient that adds great flavor and texture to this dish is mushrooms. I prefer to use cremini mushrooms, but you can use any variety you have on hand. Sauté them in butter before adding them to the tetrazzini for maximum flavor.
Peas:
In addition to adding a pop of color, peas also add a bit of sweetness to balance out the savory flavors in the tetrazzini. You can use frozen peas or canned peas, whichever you have on hand.
Pasta:
Traditionally, tetrazzini is made with spaghetti, but feel free to use any type of pasta you have available. I find that penne or rotini work well in this dish, as they hold onto the sauce and other ingredients nicely.
Creamy Sauce:
The key to a delicious turkey tetrazzini is the creamy sauce that binds all the ingredients together. You can use a combination of heavy cream and chicken broth, along with some flour to thicken it. To add extra flavor, I also like to use some white wine and parmesan cheese in the sauce.
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a separate pan, sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until golden brown. Set aside.
4. In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of flour and whisk until well combined.
5. Slowly pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
6. Add ½ cup of white wine and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese to the sauce and continue whisking until well combined.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed mushrooms, 1 cup of peas, and 2 cups of shredded turkey. Pour the creamy sauce over the mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
8. Transfer the tetrazzini mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and top with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
10. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious turkey tetrazzini made with Thanksgiving leftovers!
In conclusion, turkey tetrazzini is a delicious and easy way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers while also creating a new and flavorful dish. This recipe is versatile, allowing you to use whatever leftover ingredients you have on hand, and it's a great way to feed a crowd during the busy holiday season. Give it a try and see for yourself how delicious this dish can be!
