1-Getting Started with Prep Work: Let’s dive into making Chicken Tetrazzini, starting with the basics. First, preheat your oven to 350˚F and butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish to get everything ready. This step ensures your dish bakes evenly and comes out with that perfect golden top. Cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water until it’s just barely al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes don’t forget to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for extra creaminess later.

2-Getting Started with Prep Work: Once the pasta is handled, move on to the vegetables. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté 1 lb of thickly sliced button mushrooms for about 3 minutes until they start to brown. Then, toss in 1 finely chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until it’s soft and golden, followed by 4 minced garlic cloves for another minute to build that flavorful base.

3-Building the Creamy Sauce: With the veggies done, it’s time for the sauce that makes Chicken Tetrazzini shine. In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and whisk in 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour, cooking it until it’s lightly golden, about 1-1.5 minutes. This creates a roux that thickens everything up nicely. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and starts to simmer.

4-Building the Creamy Sauce: Next, stir in 2 cups of half and half and let it all come to a gentle simmer, tasting and adjusting the seasoning as needed. This sauce is the heart of the dish, blending everything into a creamy delight. For more on mushroom benefits, see this resource on mushrooms to understand why they’re a great addition.

5-Combining and Baking: Now, combine the cooked pasta, 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, the sautéed vegetable mixture, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, and the creamy sauce in the pot. If you want it even creamier, add that reserved pasta water and mix everything well. Transfer this hearty mixture to your prepared casserole dish and sprinkle 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.

6-Combining and Baking: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until it’s bubbly and the cheese is melted. For a nice golden crust, broil it for 1-2 minutes at the end. Let it cool slightly before serving it serves nine and is ready to enjoy right away. This process takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 1 hour to cook, making it ideal for busy evenings.