This easy Leftover Turkey Pasta recipe is the perfect dinner or side dish this holiday season and works great with leftover turkey breast.

Every time I think about pasta, I think about big Italian style dishes, those loaded with sauce, pepper, and cheese. And while I love those meals with all my heart, I recently went to a friends house and was introduced to a lighter take on pasta—think pasta that is just as flavorful as its Italian counterparts, but doesn’t have any sauce or cheese (or all the calories!).

And I’m going to be honest with you, the first time I saw the dish I was sure I was not going to like it (I mean, radish & cucumbers with turkey!?). I was thinking of excuses before I gave the first bite, but then, to my surprise, I fell completely head over heels with the flavor combination.

My gosh, it was good— so good that I asked my friend for the recipe and went home to recreate it for my family. It’s now a staple around here because of how easy it is to prepare ...especially when you have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and Christmas!

This easy leftover turkey pasta recipe is such a hit in my home that it's officially won over all the sandwiches that are so popular post-Thanksgiving.

Make a big batch and serve it hot or cold, both options are just as good and flavorful (and hey you can even add some of the roasted sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts in there too!).

Easy Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

1 turkey breast
6 oz pasta
2 radish, sliced
½ cucumber, sliced
½ carrot, grated
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 rosemary sprig
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
olive oil drizzle
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Season the turkey in a Ziploc bag with 1 clove garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
Place in the fridge overnight.
Cook the pasta following the package instructions in boiling water with the bay leaves.
Remove the turkey from the fridge 1-hour prior to cooking.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, preheat the olive oil and the remaining garlic.
Reduce to medium heat, adding the turkey.
Cook for about 5 minutes, flip, and cook the other side for another 5 minutes. Cut in slices.
Serve the pasta combined with the radish, cucumber, and carrot.
Top with the turkey and parsley.
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the turkey. Enjoy!

See below for a printable version of this recipe

Leftover Turkey Pasta Recipe

Author: Stefanie Fauquet

Ingredients

1 turkey breast
6 oz pasta
2 radish sliced
½ cucumber sliced
½ carrot grated
1 tablespoon parsley chopped
2 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves minced
1 rosemary sprig
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
olive oil drizzle
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Season the turkey in a Ziploc bag with 1 clove garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
Place in the fridge overnight.
Cook the pasta following the package instructions in boiling water with the bay leaves.
Remove the turkey from the fridge 1-hour prior to cooking.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, preheat the olive oil and the remaining garlic.
Reduce to medium heat and place the turkey.
Cook for about 5 minutes, flip, and cook the other side for another 5 minutes. Cut in slices.
Serve the pasta combined with the radish, cucumber, and carrot.
Top with the turkey and parsley.
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the turkey. Enjoy!