How To Make Turkey Tetrazzini (From Scratch)

This classic recipe for turkey tetrazzini has one special ingredient that takes it from good to downright amazing. This turkey tetrazzini recipe is so good that you will want to make it all year long, not just with leftover turkey after Thanksgiving.

Turkey Tetrazzini

Let’s just start out by stating that this simple dish is AMAZING.

It was a couple days after Thanksgiving, and I was visiting with my friends Becki and Donna (the same friends who shared the Stamped Almond Cookies). Donna told us she was planning to make a couple batches of Turkey Tetrazzini using leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

According to Donna, this recipe has been a family favorite for over 20 years. She always makes a couple extra casseroles for the freezer, since they are so easy to pull out and thaw for a busy weeknight.

Turkey Tetrazzini with Sherry

Donna kept raving about how delicious the kitchen smells as the sauce is bubbling away on the stovetop, and she claimed it was due to the cooking sherry. Now, I’ll be honest, I had never ever cooked with sherry in the past. So I was glad Donna had a lot of good info about sherry.

Over the years, Donna learned from a local Wine Guy that there’s different types of cooking sherry. Some are sweeter and some are more dry. The sweeter sherry is better to use in desserts while the dry sherry is better for cooking.

I headed over to the local liquor store where I found a few options. I went with the Dry Sherry; it also stated right on the label that is was good for cooking. As I was cooking up this creamy sauce myself, I was floored by the aromas in my kitchen. Donna was 100% correct, this dish smells absolutely delightful.

What is a substitute for sherry wine in cooking?

If you don’t have sherry wine on hand, you can try substituting it with a dry white wine.

Is sherry cooking wine alcoholic?

Yes, sherry cooking wine is alcoholic. It is made from fortified wine, which means that additional alcohol, usually brandy, is added to increase its alcohol content. However, the alcohol evaporates during the cooking process, leaving behind the flavor profile of sherry without the strong alcoholic content.

Ingredient List

• Thin Spaghetti
• Butter
• Onion, chopped
• Salt
• Marjoram
• Cream of Chicken Soup
• Sherry (cooking wine)
• Evaporated milk
• Cubed Cooked Turkey
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

Turkey Recipes

If you are looking for a great recipe for your Thanksgiving turkey, we have a few options for you. We love fixing a turkey breast instead of a whole bird and making it in the crock pot makes the process so simple.

• Crock Pot Turkey Breast
• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• Turkey Breast with Cranberries (Crock Pot Recipe)

How is turkey tetrazzini prepared?

Step by Step Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain well.
2. In a medium to large skillet, sauté chopped onion in butter until soft.
3. Add salt and marjoram, cream soup and sherry. Whisk until smooth.
4. Add evaporated milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Use the spoon test to check thickness. See below for more info on the spoon test.
5. Spray a 2 or 3 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Layer cooked spaghetti and turkey.
7. Pour sauce over the spaghetti mixture
8. Top casserole with shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese.
9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until bubbly and hot.

Equipment

Before you make this turkey tetrazzini recipe, be sure you have these pantry ingredients and kitchen tools ready to go.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can turkey tetrazzini be frozen?

Yes, prepare the tetrazzini according to recipe instructions, but do not bake. Instead, let the tetrazzini cool. Cover tightly (two layers preferably- plastic wrap and foil), and store in the freezer. To use, let thaw in the fridge, and bake according to recipe instructions. The cook time might be increased since it will be cold to start.

Can turkey tetrazzini be made ahead of time?

Yes, turkey tetrazzini is a great prep ahead meal. Prep it up to the point of baking, then refrigerate or freeze. When ready to cook, thaw (if needed), and bake according to the directions.

How do you tell is a sauce is thickened?

Coat the back of a spoon with the sauce. Swipe your finger through the sauce, and if a clean line remains after you swipe, then the sauce is thickened.

Recipe Variations

• Use leftover chicken (such as leftover Costco rotisserie chicken) instead of turkey.
• Add a can of mushrooms (with the juice) and/or 2 tablespoons of chopped pimento, if desired.
• For a bit of heat, add 1/16 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
• Substitute cream of onion, cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery for cream of chicken soup.
• Out of spaghetti noodles? Use any type of pasta you have on hand including egg noodles or linguine.
• For a crunchy topping, add panko breadcrumbs with the cheeses.
• Use oregano or thyme instead of marjoram.

Recipe FAQs

• An 8 x 8 inch baking dish works too.
• Double or triple the recipe if needed.
• Prep ahead, and freeze for later. This makes a great freezer meal.
• Do not skip the Sherry. It is what makes the dish. You can find it for around $7 at the liquor store. Use a dry sherry.

What’s a substitute for marjoram?

If you don’t have marjoram on hand, you can try substituting it with oregano or thyme. These herbs have similar flavor profiles and can provide a comparable taste to your dish. Just keep in mind that they may add a slightly different nuance to the overall flavor, so adjust the quantity according to your preference.

Leftover Turkey Recipes

Looking for other recipes to use up your leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Here are some of our favorites and share some more on this post.

• Leftover Turkey Crescents
• Turkey Velvet Soup
• Turkey and Noodle Shepherds Pie
• Turkey and Noodles