Mom's Turkey Tetrazzini

My favorite Thanksgiving food is actually one that I make the day after Thanksgiving: my mom's turkey tetrazzini. I've never had turkey tetrazzini anywhere else so I don't know how this compares, but if, after Thanksgiving dinner, you are still in need of comfort food, this one's for you!

My Mom's Turkey Tetrazzini

1 lb. button or crimini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
4 c. milk
10 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 c. flour
1 c. turkey gravy (or however much you have left over, if less than that)
1 to 2 c. leftover turkey meat, shredded into bite-sized chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 lb. spaghetti
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saute pan and saute mushrooms until soft and slightly browned. Set aside. Make bechamel sauce: Over medium heat, melt remaining butter in large saucepan, add flour, and whisk over medium heat for several minutes. Whisk milk into butter/flour mixture gradually until all milk is incorporated. Simmer sauce until it is thickened slightly and very velvety. Add turkey gravy and mushrooms and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in boiling water until a minute or two before al dente. Drain and return to pot. Mix in half of sauce and stir to coat. Pour spaghetti into 9" x 13" pan and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes until top is bubbling and delicious-looking. Add turkey pieces to sauce and serve over slices of spaghetti casserole. Enjoy thoroughly.

Thank you for all of your sweet comments over the holiday, and to everyone who left me nice comments about making my apple pie for Thanksgiving: Thank you! I am completely psyched that you and your families liked it!!!

Comments

[Shelley (Pink House)]

This looks great. I used to make turkey tetrazini but haven't for years. I think yours looks great!

[JulieFrick]

We made this last night, too! What an awesome use of leftovers. And you can't go wrong with all that butter. Mmmm. Butter.

[Cristie]

Ran across your blog tonight, it's just beautiful. Love everything about it!

[yummy lavender]

That sounds truly marvellous. I'm goint to keep it in mind for when I have run out of ideas. Do you think I can make it with chicken? (the Man's not fond of turkey)
By the way, I just HAVE to join the near 100 people who congratulated you on your Xmas display...a master class lesson in cool!

[deanna]

Made this last night. Oh my is it ever delicious. Thank you for sharing! We had tons of turkey left and I wasn't sure what to do with it (I'd already made "chicken" tortilla soup with it).

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish I could hug you.

(my husband actually said he "loves" it ... and he rarely uses that word to describe food)

[Debbie From Illinois]

This was so good. Thanks for a great recipe!!!

[Diana]

Turkey Tetrazzini is my fave thing to make with leftover turkey! Love a good family recipe :)

[Jeff "Turkey" Scott]

That is a good one to add to my collection. @Maritza ... anything you can do with chicken, you can do with turkey (only better!)