Turkey Chicken Tetrazzini Bake (Printable)

Comforting pasta bake with turkey or chicken, peas, and a golden parmesan panko crust.

# Components:

→ Poultry & Dairy

01 - 2 cups cooked turkey or chicken, shredded
02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Pasta

06 - 8 oz cooked spaghetti or linguine, drained

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
08 - 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Topping

16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 2 tbsp melted butter
18 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and nutmeg if desired.
05 - Fold cooked pasta, shredded turkey or chicken, and thawed peas into the sauce until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
06 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over casserole mixture.
07 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until topping is golden brown and casserole is bubbling. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in barely half an hour, which means weeknight dinner can feel like a real accomplishment.
  • The crispy panko top against the creamy sauce underneath is the kind of textural contrast that makes people ask for seconds.
  • Leftover poultry finally gets the moment to shine instead of becoming sad sandwich filling.
02 -
  • Don't skip tempering the pasta with the cold sour cream by removing the skillet from heat first—if your sauce is too hot when you add it, the sour cream can curdle and create a grainy texture instead of something silky.
  • The nutmeg seems optional until you taste the difference it makes—just a quarter teaspoon transforms this from good to unforgettable, so trust the ingredient even if it seems unusual.
  • Your oven temperature and baking time are crucial because you want the top golden but the interior still creamy, not dried out and baked down to nothing.
03 -
  • Toast your panko breadcrumbs with the butter before sprinkling them on top, and they'll stay crispier even after the casserole sits for a few minutes.
  • Use freshly grated cheese if you can manage it—pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make the sauce slightly grainy, and nobody notices until they taste the real thing.
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