• Home
  • About me
  • WORK WITH ME
  • Recipes
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Supergolden Bakes

Sweet, savoury and everything in between

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About me
  • WORK WITH ME
  • Recipes
  • PRIVACY POLICY
×

Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta

December 19, 2019 by Lucy Parissi 8 Comments

16865 shares
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Close up on a bowl of creamy orzo and turkey with spinach
Leftover Turkey Pasta in casserole dish
Casserole dish of orzo pasta with leftover turkey

This Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta is great for using up your Thanksgiving/ Christmas turkey. It is quick, easy, delicious AND slimming friendly too! By the way if leftover turkey is not in season this recipe works great with chicken too 🙂

You will also love my Roast Turkey Crown

Post may contain affiliate links. For more information, check my disclosure

Casserole dish of orzo pasta with leftover turkey

Do you guys love Christmas leftovers? I do! I am especially fond of leftover turkey as it can be used in so many different ways. This turkey pasta recipe is currently topping the charts in our house!

Wait a minute… what is orzo?

Orzo (Italian for barley which it resembles) is a type of pasta. It looks a little bit like rice but it is NOT a grain. Orzo contains gluten since it is usually made with durum wheat.

Orzo can be used in pasta salad recipes, in soups, in risotto type recipes (also called orzotto), or in pasta recipes like this creamy Tuscan past

Orzo is popular throughout the Mediterannean, especially in Italy and Greece where it is called kritharaki – Greek for barley – notice a theme here? I grew up enjoying many orzo recipes like Giouvetsi (orzo and lamb casserole).

How to cook orzo

Orzo can be cooked the same way as any pasta in boiling salted water. It can also be added to soups towards the end of the cooking time so that it doesn’t overcook.

When cooked in casseroles, one-pot pasta and risotto style dishes, orzo is first sautéed in oil or butter and then cooked in stock so it becomes lovely and creamy. It generally needs more time to cook that specified on the pack if cooked in this way.

Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta

This recipe is probably not actually Tuscan, it was popularised by Olive Garden in the US and has graced many a blog, including this one – have you made my Tuscan Shrimp Linguine?

The recipe usually contains pasta, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and Parmesan. It is DEELICIOUS and I cannot lie.

I have taken these elements from Tuscan pasta recipe and made them just a little bit healthier but no less delicious.

In my recipe the cream is replaced by half-fat creme fraiche or reduced fat sour cream. Just as creamy but slightly less calorific. Here’s what you will need to make this orzo pasta recipe:

  • Olive oil or olive oil spray for a slimming friendly version. For extra flavour you can use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
  • Onions and garlic
  • Sun-dried tomatoes. For a slimming version you need to rinse these as they are usually stored in oil
  • Garlic granules, a hint of paprika and salt
  • Orzo pasta – you can also use other small pasta shapes, gluten-free if preferred
  • Leftover turkey or chicken. I used turkey breast, diced small
  • Chicken stock (from a cube)
  • Crème fraîche (full or reduced fat), reduced fat sour cream or fat-free quark cheese. You can also use double (heavy) cream if preferred
  • Fresh spinach
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)
Orzo pasta with turkey, spinach and sun dried tomatoes in a cast iron casserole

How to make Leftover Turkey Pasta

Take a look at this step by step tutorial – please note you will find the full recipe, including ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post.

STEP 1. Preheat the oven to 200C (400F). Heat a tablespoon of oil (from the sun-dried tomatoes jar for extra flavour!) in a large casserole dish or Dutch oven. Use olive oil spray such as Fry Light for a slimming version.

STEP 2. Add the onion and stir to coat in the oil. Cover the pot and cook the onion over very low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the onion to soften but not colour.

STEP 3. Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, salt, garlic granules and paprika. Sauté for a few minutes.

Making orzo pasta in a casserole dish

STEP 4. If the pan is getting a bit dry you can deglaze it with a splash of white wine/ vermouth (or chicken stock).

STEP 5. Add the orzo pasta and stir to toast in the oil and seasonings.

STEP 6. Stir in the diced turkey (or chicken).

STEP 7. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan (orzo has a tendency to stick).

Adding chicken stock to make orzo pasta recipe

STEP 8. Add the creme fraiche (or sour cream) and stir to combine. 

STEP 8. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway.

STEP 9. Uncover the pot and use a wooden spoon to give it a good stir. The orzo should be cooked and the dish creamy and delicious. Add handfuls of fresh spinach, stirring into the creamy orzo until it wilts.

Stirring spinach into Tuscan pasta

STEP 11. Grate some fresh Parmesan over the dish, check the seasoning and serve. SOOOO YUMMY!

Bowl of orzo pasta with turkey, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes

Recipe Tips and FAQs

– Do I have to cook this recipe (partly)  in the oven? Actually no, you CAN cook this entirely on the hob but you will need to stir it more often. Check the recipe card notes below.

– Do I have to stir the spinach in at the end? You can add the spinach in before you transfer to the oven however it won’t retain its bright green colour. You can also add cubes of frozen spinach in with step 6 if you like.

– Can I use fresh chicken (or turkey)? Absolutely you can! I like to use diced chicken tenders (mini chicken breasts) as they cook quickly. Add these in with the onions, after the onion has cooked for 10 minutes so it is nice and soft. Cook for a further 5 minutes until coloured but not cooked all the way through. Continue cooking the recipe as in main method.

– Is this recipe REALLY slimming friendly? It really is! If you want it to be really low in calories you can replace the crème fraîche /sour cream with fat-free Quark cheese. Make sure you serve your pasta with extra veggies – I like to add chopped cherry tomatoes and a side of crisp salad leaves.

You might want to cook this in a non-stick casserole (Dutch Oven) to minimise sticking and use of oil. One serving is around 450 calories and 14 WeightWatchers Smart Points. Take a look at all my other slimming eats!

– Can I reheat this recipe? Yes you can – add a little water if needed when reheating and make sure it is hot all the way through before serving.

– Can I freeze this orzo pasta recipe? Pasta doesn’t freeze well and this is so delicious you will want to polish it all off at once.

You will also love…

Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll

My Turkey Roll recipe makes for a quick and delicious alternative to traditional roast turkey. This prosciutto wrapped stuffed turkey roll with a delicious filling of chorizo, sausage, breadcrumbs and cranberries.
Read More
Slice of stuffed turkey breast roll

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs

Easy Roasted Turkey Legs – tender and juicy turkey for lovers of dark meat! These perfectly seasoned oven-roasted turkey legs are a great alternative to roasting a whole turkey.
Read More

HAVE YOU MADE MY LEFTOVER TURKEY PASTA RECIPE? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!

Casserole dish of orzo pasta with leftover turkey

One-pot Leftover Turkey Orzo Pasta

Lucy Parissi | Supergolden Bakes
This creamy one-pot orzo pasta recipe is great for using up leftover Thanksgiving/ Christmas turkey. It is quick, easy, delicious AND slimming friendly too! By the way if leftover turkey is not in season this recipe works great with chicken too 🙂
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: One Pot Pasta Recipe, Orzo Pasta Recipe, Orzo Pasta Recipe, Turkey Pasta, Leftover Turkey Recipe, Tuscan Pasta, Orzo recipe, Tuscan Pasta Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 452kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil or olive oil spray for a slimming friendly version
  • 1 onion , finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 55 g | ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes , rinsed for slimming version
  • 1 tsp garlic granules
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • 150 g | 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 300 g | 10½ oz leftover cooked turkey or chicken , diced small
  • 2 tbsp white wine or stock to deglaze pan, optional
  • 500 ml | 2 cups hot chicken stock (from a cube)
  • 240 g | 1 cup half fat creme faiche or reduced fat sour cream or fat-free quark cheese
  • 60 g | 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese to serve (optional)
  • Lemon zest , to garnish (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to season to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200C (400F). Heat a tablespoon of oil (from the sun-dried tomatoes jar for extra flavour) in a large casserole dish or Dutch oven. Use olive oil spray for a slimming version.
  • Add the onion and stir to coat in the oil. Cover the pot and cook the onion over very low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the onion to soften but not colour.
  • Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, salt, garlic granules and paprika. Sauté for a few minutes.
  • If the pan is getting a bit dry you can deglaze it with a splash of white wine (or vermouth / chicken stock) but that is optional.
  • Add the orzo pasta and stir to toast in the oil and seasonings.
  • Stir in the diced turkey (or chicken).
  • Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan (orzo has a tendency to stick).
  • Add the creme fraiche (or sour cream) and stir to combine.
  • Cover the pot and transfer to the oven (look in recipe notes if you want to cook on the hob) and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway.
  • Uncover the pot and use a wooden spoon to give it a good stir. The orzo should be cooked and the dish creamy and delicious.
  • Add handfuls of fresh spinach, stirring into the creamy orzo until it wilts.
  • Add the grated Parmesan and check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Orzo Pasta Recipe Tips and FAQs
– Do I have to cook this recipe (partly) in the oven? Actually no, you CAN cook this entirely on the hob but you will need to stir it more often. Check the recipe card notes below.
– Do I have to stir the spinach in at the end? You can add the spinach in before you transfer to the oven however it won’t retain its bright green colour.
– Can I use fresh chicken (or turkey)? Absolutely you can! I like to use diced chicken tenders (mini chicken breasts) as they cook quickly. Add these in with the onions, after the onion has cooked for 10 minutes so it is nice and soft. Cook for a further 5 minutes until coloured but not cooked all the way through. Continue cooking the recipe as in main method.
– Can I reheat this recipe? Yes you can – add a little water if needed when reheating and make sure it is hot all the way through before serving.
– Can I freeze this orzo pasta recipe? Pasta doesn’t freeze well and this is so delicious you will want to polish it all off at once.
– Is this recipe REALLY slimming friendly? It really is! If you want it to be really low in calories you can replace the crème fraîche /sour cream with fat-free Quark cheese. Make sure you serve your pasta with extra veggies – I like to add chopped cherry tomatoes and a side of crisp salad leaves. You might want to cook this in a non-stick casserole (Dutch Oven) to minimise sticking and use of oil. One serving is around 450 calories and 14 WeightWatchers Smart Points.
To cook on the stove
Follow steps 1-6 then continue to cook on the stove over low heat, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes or until the orzo is cooked. Stir in the spinach and serve as main method.
––––––
Please note I am not affiliated in any way with Slimming World or Weight Watchers.  
Those plans are often updated in line with latest nutritional guidance and may change so for accurate information it is best to join as a member.
––––––
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.

Nutritional Info

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 2079mg | Potassium: 1091mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1807IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @supergolden88 or tag #supergoldenbakes!
« The Perfect Cosmo | Cosmopolitan Cocktail Recipe & Variations
Black Forest Gâteau (Black Forest Cake) »
Subscribe to get the all the latest tasty goodness delivered to your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

Comments

  1. Julie says

    October 14, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    5 stars
    I had all the ingredients for this recipe already and so thought I’d try it. My husband and I loved it! I will definitely make this again. Easy and delicious.

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      November 28, 2021 at 11:41 pm

      I thought I had sun dried tomatoes but I actually had roasted red peppers so I used them instead. It was so good. I can’t wait to try it with sun dried tomatoes.

      Reply
  2. Cheryll Ladnier says

    December 04, 2020 at 12:43 am

    5 stars
    We just finished dinner, I asked the guys to be honest about the meal and boy were they, my twenty year old son wanted to know if the author of this recipe was married and my husband thinks jewelry needs to be bought for the person who brought us this fabulous dish. That’s me right? After all I cooked it, and my spouse, the person I love above all others said, well you did follow directions pretty well. This is a one pot dinner, easy clean up and delicious to boot. We are adding this to our monthly recipe’s. Thank you it was Turkey fabulous.

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      December 04, 2020 at 10:30 am

      Awww you made my day!! So glad you enjoyed it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

      Reply
  3. Georganna says

    December 01, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last night. It was wonderful, so much flavor. It looked really appealing with all the color of spinach and sun dried tomato. My family of four said to make sure I didn’t loose recipe. Definitely will make again.

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      December 01, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      So glad you all enjoyed it! Happy Thanksgiving belatedly xx

      Reply
  4. Kimi says

    November 25, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    Can rice be substituted for the orzo?

    Reply
    • Lucy Parissi says

      November 26, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      Hi Kimi, I haven’t tried it with rice. It think it would work with long grain, maybe hold the sour cream though.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




HEY, NICE TO MEET YOU!

Picture of Lucy ParissiHi, I am Lucy Parissi, the recipe developer, food  photographer and author behind Supergolden Bakes. If you are looking for easy sweet and savoury recipes that are packed with flavour you have come to the right place!  READ MORE

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Bluberry Muffins
air fryer corned beef brisket
Air Fryer Gammon with redcurrant glaze on a plater with slice cut
Slices of air fryer banana bread, stacked, on a patterned plate
Air Fryer Brownies, stacked
Individual toad in the hole cooked in an air fryer served wutg nash

More Posts from this Category

As Seen In…

Collage of brand logos, including Cosmopolitan, BuzzFeed, Chowhound, MSN, Elle, and Redbook