Turkey Pasta with Cranberry Cream Sauce made with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce is the perfect way to use up your leftovers from Thanksgiving.
This creamy, comfort food dinner is easy to make, uses only one pan, and takes less than an hour from prep to table. And the creamy cranberry sauce is the best cranberry sauce leftover recipe ever! Believe me, this pasta dish tastes so incredible you won’t believe it’s leftovers!
I always look forward to Thanksgiving and all its delicious food. In fact, I’ve already got Sweet Potato Casserole and Turkey Stuffing ready to go and frozen for the big day. But I have to say that Thanksgiving leftovers come in a close second.
I love turkey and, I have to admit, everything that is made with turkey leftovers. In fact, I make an extra-large bird for Thanksgiving just so I have enough to make leftover turkey recipes. Favorites like Turkey Tetrazzini, Turkey Pot Pie, and this Turkey Pasta with Cranberry Cream Sauce.
I don't know about you, but after the big Thanksgiving feast, the last thing I want to do is spend extra time in the kitchen making more big dinners. That's where easy one-skillet dinners come in. They're not only delicious and quick but there is little clean-up too. I call that a win-win!
And what better dish to make with some of that holiday turkey than a turkey pasta dish that also includes leftover cranberry sauce. Toss in a few vegetables, some bacon, 'cause everything's better with bacon, then blend it with a cranberry cream sauce that is incredible, and presto, it transforms into a tasty gourmet meal. And nothing goes to waste!
Table of contents
Turkey and Noodles
Turkey and noodle recipes abound on the internet around Thanksgiving and Christmas. And why not! They taste delicious, are pure comfort food, and are one of the best ways to create a dinner that doesn’t taste anything like Thanksgiving leftovers! Plus, you can use your favorite type of pasta for this turkey and noodles recipe. Think Turkey Spaghetti, Turkey Penne Pasta, Turkey Linguine, and even Turkey Fettuccine.
Ingredients
Turkey - Use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey or opt for a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken from last night's dinner or even ground chicken or turkey. That makes this meal one for all seasons!
Pasta - use your favorite pasta. I like either spaghetti or rotini but any type will work.
Cranberry Sauce - use the whole berry if you have that on hand but the jellied will also work just not be as prominent. I've tried it with homemade as well and it doesn't come out quite the same.
Half and half - I like to use a non-fat half and half to cut some of the calories but you can also use heavy cream or even regular full fat milk. The lighter the milk, the thinner the sauce.
White Wine - use a wine that you like to drink. The flavor does come through and using a cheap cooking wine will ruin the dish. I like to use a chardonnay but sauvignon blanc or a pinot grigio will also work. If you don't want to use alcohol, use a chicken or vegetable stock in its place.
Garlic/Peppers/Onions/Italian seasoning - provide the flavor base.
Cheese - using a variety of cheeses, in this case, cheddar and parmesan, gives the pasta dish a little richness from the cheddar and a bit of tang from the parmesan. You can even try gruyere in place of the cheddar for a change of pace.
Peas - add a touch of color and some of your vegetable servings for the day. You can also opt for leftover green beans or broccoli.
Bacon - adds its own smokey, salty flavor to the mix. You can also try pancetta, prosciutto, smoked sausage, smoked ham. or Canadian bacon.
How to Make One Pot Turkey Pasta
How to Make Cranberry Cream Sauce
- Cook the bacon in an oven-safe, deep 12" skillet, until crisp and remove from pan. While you are making the sauce, cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Add the onions, bell pepper and garlic into the pan and saute for 5 minutes.
- Whisk in the half and half.
- Add the wine while continuing to stir.
- Pour in the cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle in the seasoning. Let simmer for 5 minutes then add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. It will begin to take on a gorgeous pink color.
Finishing the Turkey Pasta
- Add peas. The frozen peas are added as is.
- Dump in the chopped turkey.
- Sprinkle in ¾ of the crumbled bacon.
- Stir well and let simmer for 10 minutes or until peas are done.
- Add cooked pasta and stir.
- Top with Parmesan cheese and place under the broiler to brown the cheese. Serve garnished with remaining bacon and sliced green onions.
When you've gotten your fill of turkey sandwiches, this Turkey Pasta with Cranberry Cream Sauce dinner comes to the rescue. It's great for a quick weeknight meal or, believe it or not, you can even serve it for company, it's that good!
It will keep 3-4 days in the refrigerator or freeze it for 2-3 months for a quick and easy midwinter comfort food dinner down the road. Enjoy!
Variations
- Change out the turkey for rotisserie chicken and this dinner goes from a holiday dinner to an everyday dinner.
- Turkey Spaghetti - use your favorite type of pasta from spaghetti to rotini to fusilli to linguine.
- Vegetables - This is a very versatile pasta dinner. If you happen to have some green beans, broccoli, or other vegetables from your big dinner, add those in place of the peas.
- Don't want to use wine? Try subbing in chicken or vegetable broth in its place.
- Want a richer turkey flavor? Substitute turkey gravy for ¼ of the half and half.
What to Serve with One Pot Turkey Pasta
Try a tossed garden salad or this Pomegranate Orange Salad for a light side.
Then there is always delicious garlic bread, rosemary bread, or these fresh dinner rolls from Joy Food Sunshine.
More Delicious One Pot Meals for Any Season
One Pan French Onion Chicken with caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese.
Chicken Bacon Mac and Cheese is everything you want in your mac and cheese plus it's stuffed with chicken and bacon too! It's rich, hearty, and satisfying.
Poblano Stew with chicken is deeply flavored and has the perfect kick of heat.
Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce has Italian sausage and a pumpkin sauce that is simply incredible.
Find even more popular Thanksgiving recipes here on 2CM!
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Turkey Pasta with Cranberry Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ lb. your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, rotini or shells cooked
- 6 pcs bacon cooked til crisp then crumbled
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ sweet onion chopped (about ⅔ cup)
- ½ red bell pepper chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ cups fat-free half and half cream or whole milk
- ½ cup white wine such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 10 oz package frozen peas or 2 cups of leftover peas
- 3 cups cooked turkey or chicken chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese grated
- Garnish: sliced green onions, chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in colander and set aside.
- Fry bacon in large 12” oven-safe skillet until crisp. Remove from pan to paper towel to cool.
- Add onion, bell pepper and minced garlic to bacon fat in skillet and saute for 5 minutes or until onion is soft.
- Whisk in half and half, wine, cranberry sauce, and seasonings. Stir well and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Add frozen peas, chopped turkey, and ¾ of the bacon, reserving remaining bacon for garnish. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, or until peas are cooked. Add pasta and stir well.
- Top with parmesan cheese and place under broiler until cheese is browned, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and garnish with remaining bacon and sliced green onions.
Notes
- Change out the turkey for rotisserie chicken and this dinner goes from a holiday dinner to an everyday dinner.
- Turkey Spaghetti - use your favorite type of pasta from spaghetti to rotini to fusilli to linguine.
- Vegetables - This is a very versatile pasta dinner. If you happen to have some green beans, broccoli, or other vegetables from your big dinner, add those in place of the peas.
- Don't want to use wine? Try subbing in chicken or vegetable broth in its place.
- Want a richer turkey flavor? Substitute turkey gravy for some of the half and half.
Nutrition
This post has been updated and was first published on November 14, 2016.
Why don't you use Barilla Plus pasta? It has more nutrients and protein! Only kind I buy?
If broken in half inch pieces it makes healthier chicken noodle soup and I also use in Noodles Alfredo. I replace cream with three cups soy milk blended with a can csnellini beans, yum !!!!
Hi Syliv! Any type of pasta will work in this dish and Barilla Plus pasta sounds like a great choice. Love the idea of adding Barilla pasta & non-dairy milk to chicken noodle soup, always a favorite!
Such a great idea for after Thanksgiving! Thanks for the great idea.
I'm glad you like it. It gives a little variety to the usual Thanksgivng leftovers. And being easy during this busy time of year is def a bonus!
This was really good! I like the tart/sweet flavor that the cranberries gave to the sauce. Please make it again!
You got it babe!