Chicken Tetrazzini: What Cheeses Make It So Delicious?

Chicken tetrazzini is a pasta bake casserole made with diced chicken or turkey, mushrooms, and a buttery, cream-based sauce. The dish is then topped with cheese and baked in the oven. The recipe calls for a combination of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Tetrazzini is a pasta bake casseroled made with chicken, mushrooms, and a buttery, cream-based sauce

Chicken Tetrazzini is said to have been created by chef Ernest Arbogast in honour of Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini, who debuted at his San Francisco hotel in the 1900s.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in Chicken Tetrazzini are:

• Pasta - spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
• Chicken - cut into cubes or shredded
• Butter
• Mushrooms - fresh sliced mushrooms
• Cheese - mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, or a combination
• Cream - heavy/whipping cream
• Chicken broth

Optional Ingredients

You can also add the following ingredients to your Chicken Tetrazzini:

• Onion
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Peas
• Salt and pepper
• Salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables as side dishes

Method

Here's a step-by-step guide to making Chicken Tetrazzini:

• Preheat the oven and grease a baking dish.
• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but stop short of al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, soup, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, and seasonings. Mix well.
• Stir in the cooked pasta and any optional ingredients like peas or mushrooms.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Chicken Tetrazzini can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

The dish is named after Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini is named after Luisa Tetrazzini, an Italian coloratura soprano of great international fame. She enjoyed a highly successful operatic and concert career in Europe and America from the 1890s through to the 1920s.

Born in Florence, Italy, in 1871, Luisa Tetrazzini was known for her scintillating voice with a brilliant timbre and a range and agility beyond the norm. She first studied singing with her oldest sister, Eva Tetrazzini, who was also a prima donna soprano. Luisa Tetrazzini made her operatic debut in Florence in 1890, as Inez in Meyerbeer's L'Africaine at the age of nineteen.

Following her well-received debut, Tetrazzini sang in Rome and other Italian cities, which led to tours in Russia, Mexico, and South America. She sang at Covent Garden in London in 1907, as Violetta in Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, and made her New York City debut at the Manhattan Opera House in 1908. She also sang with the Chicago Opera in 1913-14.

The greatest period of her career was before World War I, although she continued to appear in recitals after the war and taught singing in Milan until her death in 1940.

Chicken Tetrazzini, a pasta bake casserole made with diced chicken or turkey, mushrooms, and a buttery, cream-based sauce, was created by chef Ernest Arbogast in honour of Luisa Tetrazzini, who debuted at his San Francisco hotel in the 1900s.

It's a popular American dish

Chicken Tetrazzini is a popular American dish that is creamy, cheesy, and delicious. It is a pasta bake casserole made with diced chicken or turkey (or even seafood), mushrooms, and a buttery, cream-based sauce. It was created by chef Ernest Arbogast in honour of the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini, who debuted at his San Francisco hotel in the 1900s.

Chicken Tetrazzini is a classic comfort food and a perfect dinner for the entire family. It is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for busy weeknights or when feeding a crowd. The dish is usually made with thin spaghetti, but any type of noodle can be used. The chicken can be baked and diced, or rotisserie chicken can be used.

The sauce for Chicken Tetrazzini is typically made with a combination of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, and garlic powder. A variety of cheeses can be used, including shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Peas, carrots, or other vegetables can also be added for extra flavour and colour.

To make Chicken Tetrazzini, simply bake and dice the chicken, cook the pasta al dente, combine all the ingredients, and bake in the oven until bubbly and melted. It is a straightforward and comforting dish that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

You can use leftover turkey instead of chicken

Chicken Tetrazzini is a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to use leftover turkey instead of chicken. This comforting casserole is traditionally made with chopped chicken or turkey in a creamy sauce, combined with spaghetti, and baked to perfection. Here's how you can use leftover turkey to create a delicious and satisfying meal:

Preparing the Leftover Turkey:

• Start by removing the meat from the leftover turkey bones, if necessary. You'll need about 3-4 cups of chopped or shredded cooked turkey for the casserole.
• If you don't have enough leftover turkey, you can always supplement it with some store-bought rotisserie chicken to make up the required amount.

Creating the Creamy Sauce:

• The key to a successful Tetrazzini is making the sauce from scratch. In a large skillet, melt some butter and cook mushrooms, onions, and garlic until softened.
• Add flour to the vegetable mixture and stir well. Then, pour in chicken broth and milk or heavy cream, along with seasonings like salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of nutmeg (optional). Stir until the sauce thickens.
• For an extra kick of flavor, you can add a splash of sherry or white wine to the sauce.

Assembling the Casserole:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside. You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as thin spaghetti, vermicelli, or even fettuccine.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, leftover turkey, and the creamy sauce. Stir well to ensure everything is coated evenly.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, along with breadcrumbs for a crispy texture.
• Bake the casserole for about 30 minutes, or until it's bubbling and the cheese has melted.
• For an extra touch, scatter some chopped pecans or almonds on top just before serving.

Using leftover turkey in Chicken Tetrazzini is a fantastic way to transform your holiday leftovers into a comforting and flavorful meal. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to your taste, and it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

It's a great make-ahead meal

Chicken Tetrazzini is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This is a convenient option if you are planning to serve it at a later time or want to give it to someone else.

To make Chicken Tetrazzini ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions up until the baking step. Instead of baking it right away, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. The assembled, unbaked Chicken Tetrazzini can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

When you are ready to bake and serve the Chicken Tetrazzini, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Preheat your oven, and then bake the casserole as directed in the recipe, adding about 15 minutes to the total baking time.

Additionally, Chicken Tetrazzini freezes well and can be prepared as a freezer meal. To freeze Chicken Tetrazzini, assemble the dish in a freezer-safe casserole dish and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to enjoy the frozen Chicken Tetrazzini, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and then bake it according to the recipe instructions, adding a bit of milk if needed to adjust the consistency.

Chicken Tetrazzini is a versatile and convenient dish that can be made ahead of time, frozen, and shared with others. It is a great option for busy weeknights, potlucks, or meals for new parents. With some planning, you can enjoy this delicious, comforting casserole any time!

Frequently asked questions