Description
Homemade chicken tetrazzini delivers a comforting pasta casserole combining tender chicken, hearty mushrooms, and rich creamy sauce. Parmesan cheese and delicate pasta layers create a classic Italian-American dinner perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) seasoned cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 lb (454 g) thin spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) melted butter
- 10 oz (284 g) cream of chicken soup
- 10 oz (284 g) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup (120 ml) frozen peas
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and generously spray a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk condensed soups, sour cream, melted butter, and chicken broth together, blending in seasonings to develop a rich, complex flavor foundation.
- Ingredient Combination: Fold shredded chicken, spaghetti, and green peas into the creamy sauce, ensuring every ingredient is thoroughly and evenly coated.
- Assembly: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to promote consistent cooking and flavor distribution.
- Cheese Topping: Lavishly sprinkle a medley of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses across the surface, creating a tempting, multi-dimensional cheese layer.
- Initial Baking: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Final Browning: Remove foil and continue baking until the edges bubble and the cheese transforms into a gloriously golden, crisp crust.
- Serving: Let the tetrazzini rest briefly to stabilize the sauce, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Prepare Baking Surface: Spray dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk ingredients smoothly to create a velvety base that binds all components perfectly.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Spread cheese evenly across the top for a uniform golden-brown crust with maximum flavor coverage.
- Resting Time Critical: Let casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow sauce to set and flavors to meld completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg