Tetrazzini is a classic Italian-American dish made by combining cooked spaghetti, chicken or seafood, mushrooms, and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. It is a rich, decadent pasta casserole that is simple to make but impressive enough to serve for special occasions. In this article, we will explore the key ingredients that go into making authentic Tetrazzini.
Origin of Tetrazzini
Tetrazzini was named after the famous Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini. It was created in the early 1900s by either Chef Ernest Arbogast at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco or Chef Romano at Tetrazzini’s favorite restaurant in Florence, Italy. No one knows the exact story of how it was invented, but it clearly combines Italian ingredients like pasta and Parmesan in a baked casserole form that was trendy in America during that era.
The dish quickly became popular in the early 20th century as a dish to serve at luncheons or fancy dinner parties. It allowed home cooks to create an elegant casserole using simple ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and spaghetti. The creamy sauce and melted cheese gave it an indulgent, decadent taste. Tetrazzini appeared in many American cookbooks in the early 1900s and was a standard item on the menus of Italian restaurants, delis, and cooking schools.
Main Ingredients
While there are many variations on Tetrazzini today, the core ingredients that go into the classic recipe include:
Cooked Spaghetti
Tetrazzini is made with cooked spaghetti, which can be boiled until al dente or cooked according to package directions. Long, thin spaghetti noodles are traditional, but different types of pasta like angel hair or linguine can also be used. The pasta provides a starchy base that soaks up the rich sauce.
Chicken or Seafood
Authentic Tetrazzini uses a protein like cooked chicken or seafood such as shrimp or crab meat. This provides flavor and makes the dish more substantial. The chicken or seafood can be sauteed or roasted before adding it to the casserole. Using a combination of chicken and shrimp is also popular.
Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms – often a mix of button and cremini mushrooms – are sauteed and added to Tetrazzini. The mushrooms add an earthy, savory flavor and meaty texture to balance the creaminess from the cheese.
Parmesan Cheese Sauce
The signature cream sauce is made from butter, flour, chicken or vegetable broth, milk or cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings like salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce thickens as it cooks and should coat the pasta and other ingredients. Grated Parmesan cheese is also sprinkled over the top of the assembled casserole before baking to form a cheesy crust.
Other Ingredients
Tetrazzini can be modified with additional ingredients to add more flavor and texture. Some options include:
- Diced onions or shallots
- Minced garlic
- Chopped parsley
- White wine
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Breadcrumbs
Steps to Make Tetrazzini
Here is an overview of the basic steps used to make classic chicken and mushroom Tetrazzini:
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Saute mushrooms in olive oil or butter until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Set aside.
- Cook chicken breasts by sauteing, baking, or poaching. Shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.
- Make the creamy Parmesan sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour to make a roux, then gradually whisking in chicken broth and milk. Simmer until thickened then stir in grated Parmesan.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti, sauteed mushrooms, chicken pieces, and Parmesan sauce together.
- Transfer to a casserole dish and top with more grated Parmesan and/or breadcrumbs.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
The ingredients can be assembled either in a saucepan on the stove then transferred to a baking dish, or mixed right in the casserole dish. The baking step helps the flavors meld together. Garnishes like chopped parsley or diced tomatoes can be added on top.
Variations
There are many variations on classic Tetrazzini to give it different flavors. Some popular options include:
Seafood Tetrazzini
Made with shrimp, crab meat, scallops or a combination of seafoods instead of chicken.
Turkey or Ham Tetrazzini
Uses diced cooked turkey or ham as the meat.
Vegetable Tetrazzini
Omits the chicken or seafood and includes extra vegetables like peas, roasted red peppers, broccoli, or spinach.
Loaded Baked Potato Tetrazzini
Uses mashed potatoes instead of pasta and is loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions, and sour cream.
Tips for Making Tetrazzini
Here are some helpful tips for making the best tasting Tetrazzini at home:
- Cook the spaghetti just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when baked.
- Use low-sodium or homemade chicken broth for the best flavor.
- Simmer the sauce slowly so it has time to thicken – don’t rush it.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan – do not use pre-grated cheese from a can or bag.
- Season the sauce well with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Let the casserole rest before serving so the flavors can absorb.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Serve Tetrazzini
Tetrazzini is typically served as an entree dish, either on its own or alongside salads, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Scoop Tetrazzini into individual shallow bowls or leave in the casserole dish family-style.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, or diced tomatoes.
- Serve with a fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing.
- Pair with garlic breadsticks or focaccia.
- Serve with steamed broccoli drizzled with lemon juice.
- Offer grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top.
Tetrazzini also makes excellent leftovers. Simply store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until hot. The flavors meld even more on the second day making leftovers extra delicious.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition facts for Tetrazzini can vary greatly depending on the specific ingredients and portion size. Chicken Tetrazzini made with a cream sauce is typically high in calories, fat, and sodium. A one cup serving may contain approximately:
- Calories: 650
- Total Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Protein: 40g
Tetrazzini provides a good source of protein from the chicken or seafood. It also contains calcium from the Parmesan cheese and B vitamins from the chicken and mushrooms. The cream sauce is high in saturated fat and sodium, so lighter versions can be made by using reduced-fat ingredients, adding extra vegetables, and going easy on any extra cheese or salt.
Cost to Make Tetrazzini
Tetrazzini is relatively affordable to make at home. The estimated ingredient cost for a 9×13 pan serving 6 is:**
| Ingredient | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti | $1.50 |
| Chicken breasts | $3.00 |
| Mushrooms | $2.00 |
| Parmesan cheese | $2.50 |
| Butter | $0.50 |
| Flour | $0.20 |
| Milk | $0.75 |
| Chicken broth | $0.60 |
| Garlic, seasonings | $0.50 |
| Total | $11.55 |
The biggest cost is the chicken and Parmesan cheese. Buying store brand items when possible or substituting less expensive proteins like turkey can lower the price. Making Tetrazzini for $2 per serving is doable with economical shopping.
Conclusion
Tetrazzini combines pasta, meat or seafood, mushrooms, and a creamy cheese sauce to make a rich, decadent casserole. While recipes can vary, traditional Tetrazzini is made with spaghetti, chicken, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and a white sauce. It can be assembled on the stove or mixed right in the baking dish before being baked until hot and bubbly. Tetrazzini makes an elegant entree for dinner parties but is easy enough for a weeknight family meal. Experiment with different ingredient combinations to put your own spin on this classic Italian-American dish.