Chicken Tetrazzini is a comforting American casserole named after Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. It's a creamy pasta bake combining tender chicken, mushrooms, and spaghetti, all baked under a layer of Parmesan until bubbly and golden. This dish is a classic example of mid-century American cuisine that makes use of pantry staples and leftover poultry, making it a favorite for post-holiday meals and cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken (cooked and shredded)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1 carrot (sliced)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 4 tbsp chicken fat (or margarine)
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (strained )
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp sherry
- 1/2 lb mushrooms (sliced)
- 8 oz spaghetti ( or noodles, cooked)
- Parmesan cheese (grated , for topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Simmer chicken with onion, carrot, bay leaf, and celery salt until tender. Remove meat from bones and slightly reduce the broth.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In a saucepan, heat chicken fat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add 2 cups of strained chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Add 1 cup of heavy cream and 2 tbsp sherry. Stir until smooth.
Step 3: Prepare Mushrooms
- Sauté sliced mushrooms in a small amount of fat until tender.
- Stir mushrooms into the sauce.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients
- Mix cooked spaghetti, shredded chicken, mushrooms, and sauce in a large bowl.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
- In a greased casserole dish, layer pasta, chicken, and sauce alternately.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 375°F until bubbly and golden brown (about 30–35 minutes).
Tips
- Add sautéed onion and green pepper with the mushrooms for extra flavor (noted on the card).
- Increase the amount of mushrooms—recipe notes say “more mushrooms make it better.”
- Substitute turkey breast for chicken; great for holiday leftovers.
- Use margarine instead of chicken fat, as mentioned on the card.
- Add peas for color and sweetness.
- Use white wine if sherry isn’t available.
- Try different pasta shapes such as egg noodles or macaroni (mentioned on the card).
- Top with breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan for extra crunch.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cream sauce for depth.
- Make ahead: assemble, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 28gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1050IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 2.3mg
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