How To Use Up Leftover Turkey: Creamy Turkey Pasta Recipe
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Thanksgiving leftovers are supposed to be the best part of the holiday… until you realize your turkey came out a little dry, a little bland, or a little “meh.” Don’t worry—I’ve got you. This creamy leftover turkey pasta is the ultimate fix-it recipe.
Whether your turkey turned out perfect or it needs a little help (we’ve all been there!), this silky garlic cream sauce transforms it into a restaurant-level comfort meal your whole family will devour (mine sure did).
The best part? You only need pantry staples, about 20 minutes, and any leftover turkey you have. This sauce can transform your rotisserie chicken dinner just as much. Plus, who doesn’t like an easy dinner this time of year? Quick pasta recipes in general are great recipes to hold up your sleeves.
More Ways to Use Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey:
A great way to use up leftover turkey is to make these easy chicken and egg tortillas but replace with turkey meat, Or these toasted canned chicken canapés but also replace with leftover shredded turkey.
Some other things to consider are Turkey pot pie, Turkey soup, Turkey quesadillas, Turkey salad sandwiches or Turkey fried rice. But honestly… this creamy turkey pasta is the winner when the turkey didn’t turn out quite the way you hoped.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Rescues dry turkey: The creamy garlic sauce brings moisture and flavor back into every bite. Works with any leftover meat: White meat, dark meat, shredded rotisserie chicken—use what you have.
One sauce fixes it all: Underseasoned turkey? Dry turkey? Overcooked turkey? This sauce doesn’t discriminate.
Quick & easy: Family-friendly, weeknight-friendly, and holiday-recovery-friendly.
Leftover Turkey Pasta in Creamy Garlic Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 3 garlic cloves (pressed)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 3–4 cups cooked turkey meat shredded to small pieces (Rotisserie chicken works too!)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley or dill (optional)
- Cooked pasta (
1. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Sprinkle in the flour and whisk it into a smooth paste (a roux). Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously.
Season with salt, pepper, and ground coriander. Bring to a light simmer and let it thicken slightly on low heat —this takes just a few minutes.
2. Add the turkey meat.
Stir in your shredded leftover turkey. Let it warm through in the sauce for about 3–4 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you love a pop of freshness, stir in a tablespoon of fresh parsley or dill—or just sprinkle it on top when serving.
For serving:
Serve this creamy leftover turkey over your leftover mashed potatoes or cook a fresh pot of any type of al dente pasta, white rice, buckwheat or fried rice, whatever sounds good to you or whatever you have on hand.
Store this in the fridge in an airtight container, this dish reheats beautifully the next day… if you even have leftovers left.
Variations:
Add a splash of white white after you add the garlic, it takes this simple pasta dish into another level of comfort food.
Add veggies: Peas, baby spinach, mushrooms, or sautéed onions.
Add spice: Red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
Make it cheesy: Stir in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an Alfredo-style twist.
FAQ’s:
Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is perfect. This is truly a “grab whatever protein is in your fridge” kind of recipe.
What if I only have dark meat?
Use it—dark meat actually turns out even more tender and flavorful in creamy sauce.
Can I freeze this?
The sauce is cream-based, so freezing may make it grainy. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but it reheats great for a couple of days in the fridge.
What pasta works best?
Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, rigatoni—anything that holds sauce well.
My turkey was really dry… will this still work?
YES. The creamy garlic sauce hydrates the meat and adds richness back in. This is the ultimate turkey-fixer recipe.
What if the sauce is too thick?
Add a little bit of water, milk or chicken stock to thin the sauce.
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How To Use Up Leftover Turkey: Creamy Turkey Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 3 garlic cloves pressed
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 3 –4 cups cooked turkey meat shredded Rotisserie chicken works too!
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley or dill optional
Instructions
-
In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Sprinkle in the flour and whisk it into a smooth paste (a roux). Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously.
-
Season with salt, pepper, and ground coriander. Bring to a light simmer and let it thicken slightly—this takes just a few minutes.
-
Stir in your shredded leftover turkey. Let it warm through in the sauce for about 3–4 minutes.
-
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you love a pop of freshness, stir in a tablespoon of fresh parsley or dill—or just sprinkle it on top when serving.
Serving:
-
Serve this creamy leftover turkey over your leftover mashed potatoes or cook a fresh pot of any type of pasta, white rice, buckwheat or fried rice, whatever sounds good to you or whatever you have on hand.
This dish reheats beautifully the next day… if you even have leftovers left.
Delicious! 😋