Description
This Easy Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta recipe transforms your leftover turkey into a deliciously creamy and comforting meal. Combining crispy pancetta, garlic, sweet corn, and rich cream, it’s a quick and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or a hearty lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 2 ounces pancetta, diced
- 2 cups cooked turkey meat
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 dashes Italian seasoning
- Pepper, to taste
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional
Pasta
- 4 ounces pasta (spaghetti recommended)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a generously salted pot of water and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. This ensures the pasta has a firm bite that will hold well with the creamy sauce.
- Render Pancetta: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the diced pancetta. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the fat renders out and the pancetta crisps up, adding a delicious salty crunch and depth of flavor.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the pancetta and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic to maintain a sweet, aromatic flavor.
- Create Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, drained corn, cooked turkey, and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to medium and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the pasta and toss it into the skillet with the creamy sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Season with pepper to taste, remembering that the pancetta adds saltiness. Serve garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use leftover turkey breast or dark meat, diced or shredded, for the best texture.
- If pancetta is unavailable, substitute with bacon or prosciutto for a similar smoky flavor.
- Adjust cream amount based on desired sauce richness and consistency.
- Adding a splash of pasta cooking water helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
- For extra veggies, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach before adding the cream.
- This dish can be easily doubled or halved depending on serving needs.
