Name: Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 300 g pasta (fusilli, penne, spaghetti, or linguine); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, sliced; 150 g mushrooms (or other vegetables), sliced; 3 cloves garlic; 300 g leftover turkey or chicken, shredded; 300 ml double (heavy) cream; Salt and pepper to taste; 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (or fresh sage or basil); Grated parmesan cheese

If you’re staring at leftover turkey wondering what to do next, let me share a total game-changer: my Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe. It’s warm, comforting, and ridiculously easy to whip up after a busy day—or even after a big holiday meal when you’ve got turkey galore. I absolutely love how creamy and flavorful this pasta turns out, and I bet you’ll find yourself making it again and again whenever you have some turkey to use up. So, grab that leftover bird and let’s make some magic happen together!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Utilizes Leftovers Perfectly: Turns your leftover turkey into a delicious new dinner that doesn’t taste like leftovers at all.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—my family goes crazy for this one every time.
Customizable & Flexible: Whether you use fusilli, penne, or spaghetti, leftover turkey or chicken, you can tweak it to your pantry and preference.

A white pot filled with creamy cooked rotini pasta mixed with light brown cooked chicken strips and small brown mushrooms, sprinkled with fresh green chopped herbs on top, a silver spoon rests inside the pot lifting some pasta. Below the pot, there is a white plate with a serving of the same pasta topped with more green herbs and a light sprinkle of grated cheese. To the side, a block of light yellow cheese and a metal grater rest on a blue striped cloth, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta, leftover turkey pasta recipes, quick turkey pasta dinner, easy holiday turkey ideas, comforting turkey pasta

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe plays a special role to make the sauce silky and the flavors sing. I usually keep things simple with pantry staples, but fresh herbs and good-quality parmesan really make it stand out.

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked fusilli pasta, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a thinly sliced white onion arranged in a neat pile, fresh whole white mushrooms sliced, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, shredded pieces of cooked turkey meat, a small white bowl filled with thick heavy cream, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white bowl of cracked black peppercorns, a small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, a small white bowl filled with grated parmesan cheese, all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged with perfect symmetry on a simple clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta, leftover turkey pasta recipes, quick turkey pasta dinner, easy holiday turkey ideas, comforting turkey pasta

Pasta: Fusilli is my go-to for its fun twists that hold the sauce well, but penne, spaghetti, or linguine work beautifully too—choose your favorite!
Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity richness and helps soften the onions and mushrooms without overpowering the dish.
Onion: Sliced onions bring gentle sweetness and body; cook slowly so they soften without browning early.
Mushrooms: I love their earthy flavor, but feel free to swap with other veggies like bell peppers or zucchini if you want to switch things up.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must for that warm, aromatic kick that makes the sauce irresistible.
Leftover turkey (or chicken): Shredded turkey keeps every bite tender; if you don’t have leftovers, roast a small breast or use store-bought rotisserie chicken in a pinch.
Double (heavy) cream: This makes the sauce ultra creamy and luxurious—don’t skimp on it if you want to nail the texture.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning to balance and enhance all the flavors.
Fresh parsley: I love how it brightens and freshens the dish just before serving—fresh sage or basil are tasty options too.
Grated Parmesan: For that salty, nutty finish that brings everything together so perfectly.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of this Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe is that it’s pretty forgiving—and I encourage you to make it your own. I often experiment with what’s on hand or what I’m craving, and it always turns out great.

Vegetable substitution: I once swapped mushrooms for roasted butternut squash in the fall, which added a lovely sweetness—super tasty and seasonal!
Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream or a plant-based cream substitute if you want to keep it creamy but dairy-free; just watch the seasoning to balance flavors.
Herb swaps: Fresh basil or sage bring a different, fresh complexity—try them based on what herb you love most or have growing on your windowsill.
Protein swaps: If you don’t have turkey or chicken, cooked shredded ham or even leftover roast beef can work in a pinch for a unique twist.

How to Make Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta to Perfection

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package instructions or until al dente—that’s how I like it, so the noodles still have a bit of bite and don’t get mushy. Remember to reserve a couple of tablespoons of the cooking water before draining; that’ll help loosen the sauce later.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Mushrooms

While your pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over low heat. Add the sliced onions, cover with a lid, and cook gently for about 3 minutes. This slow cooking softens the onions beautifully without browning them too fast. Then crank up the heat a little and toss in the mushrooms—stir regularly so everything browns nicely, about another 3 minutes. The smell at this stage? Pure comfort.

Step 3: Add Garlic, Turkey, and Cream

Lower the heat again, then stir in minced garlic and shredded leftover turkey—or chicken, if that’s what you’ve got. Let everything mingle and warm through for 2 minutes. Then pour in the double cream, season with salt and pepper, and let the sauce reduce gently for about 5 minutes. It thickens up and tastes so rich and satisfying—it’s my favorite part of the process.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain your pasta, but keep those reserved tablespoons of cooking water close. Toss the pasta directly into the creamy turkey sauce along with a splash of that starchy water—you’ll find it helps bring everything together with a silky finish. Stir in half of your fresh parsley for a herby burst, and you’re almost there!

Step 5: Serve with Parsley and Parmesan

Dish out your pasta onto plates, sprinkle generously with more fresh parsley and a hearty grating of parmesan cheese. I love how the sharpness of the cheese cuts through the creaminess, making every forkful perfectly balanced.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe

Perfect Pasta Texture: I always taste the pasta a minute before the suggested time to ensure it’s al dente, so it doesn’t get mushy when mixed into the sauce.
Don’t Skip Reserved Pasta Water: The little starchy water makes your sauce silkier and helps it cling to the pasta better—trust me, it’s a game changer.
Gently Reduce the Cream: Keep the heat low when simmering the sauce so it thickens without curdling—this took me a few tries to get right!
Use Fresh Herbs at the End: Adding parsley just before serving preserves its bright flavor and color—don’t add it too early or it wilts and loses its charm.

How to Serve Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with spiral pasta layered with light-colored shredded chicken and small bits of mushrooms. The top layer has finely grated cheese scattered evenly, which looks soft and slightly fluffy, and fresh green herb leaves spread all over, adding a fresh contrast. The background has a white marbled texture with a piece of cheese and a pan of more pasta slightly out of focus. The overall look is creamy and fresh, with natural light highlighting the details of the pasta and herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta, leftover turkey pasta recipes, quick turkey pasta dinner, easy holiday turkey ideas, comforting turkey pasta

Garnishes

I’m all about fresh parsley and a generous grating of Parmesan. Sometimes I sprinkle a few chili flakes if we want a little heat, or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness—but parsley and cheese are my must-haves every time.

Side Dishes

My family loves it with a simple arugula salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or homemade garlic bread to scoop up any remaining sauce. Roasted vegetables or steamed green beans also pair really well to add some freshness and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this pasta in shallow bowls and top with a whole sprig of fresh herbs for visual appeal. A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts brings a gourmet finish that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—it stays good for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so I often find it tastes even better the next day!

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta a couple of times when life got busy. Just cool it completely, portion it out, and freeze in freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the texture holds up well, though the fresh herbs are best added after reheating.

Reheating

I reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if it looks too thick or dry. Microwaving works too, but be sure to stir halfway through for even heating and to avoid dry spots.

FAQs

Can I use cooked chicken instead of leftover turkey for this recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken is a perfect substitute in this Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe. It behaves the same way in the sauce and tastes just as delicious—no need to worry if you don’t have turkey.
What pasta shape works best for creamy turkey pasta?

I personally prefer fusilli because the spirals hold onto the creamy sauce beautifully, but penne, spaghetti, and linguine all work well too—choose what you love or have on hand.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Try substituting the heavy cream with coconut cream or a creamy plant-based milk, and use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.
How do I avoid the cream sauce from curdling?

Keep the heat low when adding and simmering the cream; high heat can cause curdling. Stir frequently and cook gently to keep the sauce smooth and luscious.
Can I add other vegetables to this pasta?

Definitely! Mushrooms are classic, but I love mixing in peas, spinach, or roasted bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. Just add them at the appropriate cooking stage so they stay tender but not mushy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to turn simple leftovers into a hearty, comforting meal that feels special and satisfying every time. If you’ve been looking for a quick fix that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture, I can’t recommend this enough. Give it a go—you’ll find it’s a total crowd-pleaser, and it might just become your new go-to for leftover turkey or chicken. Let me know how yours turns out; I love hearing your stories from the kitchen!