Name: Chicken Tetrazzini
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 lb linguine noodles (or sub spaghetti or angel hair); 8 oz fresh cremini mushrooms (or button mushrooms, sliced (optional)); 1/2 cup butter (divided); 1/2 yellow onion (diced)

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This classic Chicken Tetrazzini combines tender chicken and pasta in a rich, creamy sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience. Ready in just 45 minutes, this family-favorite casserole delivers restaurant-quality flavors while being surprisingly simple to prepare at home.

Each hearty serving packs 31g of protein and brings together perfectly cooked pasta, juicy chicken, and a velvety sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients Section

Pasta: 1 lb linguine (can use spaghetti or angel hair)
Mushrooms: 8 oz fresh cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
Dairy: ½ cup butter, 2 cups milk, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup parmesan
Vegetables: ½ yellow onion, 2 celery ribs, 3 garlic cloves, ⅓ cup parsley
Liquids: ¼ cup white wine, 1 cup chicken broth
Seasonings: ¼ cup flour, chicken bouillon, seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper
Protein: 1½ cups cooked chicken, chopped

Instructions Section

Pasta Prep: Cook linguine following package directions until al dente
Vegetable Sauté: Melt butter, cook mushrooms until golden, then add celery and onion for 5 minutes
Aromatics: Add garlic, cook 30 seconds, then deglaze with wine
Sauce Creation: Make roux with butter and flour, gradually add milk and broth until smooth
Season: Add bouillon, seasonings, and let sauce thicken slightly
Cheese Time: Stir in half portions of both cheeses until melted
Assembly: Combine pasta, chicken, vegetables, and sauce in a casserole dish
Final Touch: Top with remaining cheese and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until bubbly

Cooking Techniques

This cozy tetrazzini comes together through a few simple cooking methods that build amazing flavor! The key is sautéing the mushrooms properly – give them space in the pan and let them brown nicely on both sides. When making the sauce, keep stirring while adding the liquids to prevent lumps.

The wine adds such nice depth – it helps pull up all those tasty browned bits from the pan. And don’t rush the sauce thickening process – it should coat the back of a spoon before you mix in the cheese.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Tetrazzini is perfect for meal prep! You can make it up to 2 days ahead – just assemble everything in your baking dish, cover well with foil, and pop it in the fridge. When ready to eat, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Leftovers stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. The pasta might soak up some sauce, so when reheating, add a splash of milk or chicken broth and stir well. For best results, reheat portions in the microwave at 50% power, stirring halfway through.

Easy Substitutions

This recipe is super flexible! No linguine? Any long pasta works great – try spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair. Turkey is a tasty swap for chicken. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, just leave them out and add extra celery or some carrots instead.

No wine? Use extra chicken broth with a tiny splash of lemon juice. The cheese combo is flexible too – try provolone or fontina in place of mozzarella. Just stick to freshly grated cheese since it melts much better than pre-shredded.

Serving Ideas

This creamy pasta dish shines as the star of your meal! Pair it with a simple green salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the richness. Some garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side is perfect for soaking up extra sauce.

For a pretty presentation, sprinkle on extra fresh parsley just before serving, and keep some grated parmesan at the table – because more cheese is always good!