Thanksgiving is just around the corner, a time I eagerly anticipate for indulging in scrumptious feasts and counting my blessings. The abundance of food often leaves us with leftovers, which I find perfect for whipping up economical meals and reducing food waste. Although my family enjoys reruns for a couple of days, their interest tends to wane. Here’s where creativity comes in. Apart from freezing leftover holiday food, you can use this chance to invent fresh meals or try out new recipes featuring your available ingredients.
Here are seven simple meals you can create using Thanksgiving leftovers.
1. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER CASSEROLE
Initially, I wasn’t an enormous fan of casseroles. However, age has bestowed upon me an appreciation of their wholesome, satisfying, and easy-to-make nature. A casserole can welcome any available ingredients, making this Thanksgiving casserole recipe an outstanding choice. It requires leftovers like mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, and stuffing. Add in any extra ingredients you have to hand, quickly finishing off your Thanksgiving leftovers and curbing food waste.
2. PILGRIM SANDWICH
This sandwich can make a delectable lunch the day post-Thanksgiving. With a simple recipe comprising leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread, and cheese, you can prepare a wallet-friendly meal with your Thanksgiving leftovers in no time. Feel free to add mayo and lettuce for variation.
3. TURKEY POT PIE
Leftover turkey oftentimes tends to dry out after a few days. A superb budget-friendly solution is making a pot pie. Use leftover gravy and simply add turkey alongside vegetables of your choice. You can even make or buy a pie crust or use one you’ve squirreled away in the freezer during the holidays.
4. LEFTOVER STUFFING WAFFLES
This innovative recipe involves using leftovers like mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a couple of whisked eggs. Mix them all together, then put it in your waffle maker for a delightful breakfast ready within minutes.
5. TURKEY HASH WITH COUNTRY GRAVY
If you relish a breakfast skillet, consider this drool-worthy recipe from the Food Network. It uses hot Italian sausage but can be adjusted based on your available proteins. Top it off with a poached egg and some turkey gravy for a truly satisfying start to your day.
6. TURKEY CHILI
Inject a healthy twist with this turkey chili recipe. Swap your usual chili recipe with this delightful change, perfect for consuming leftovers like turkey meat, mashed potatoes, and rice. Gather low-sodium chicken broth, a couple of cans of pinto beans, and some chili seasonings, and you’re good to go.
7. ROASTED TURKEY LASAGNA
Lasagna is another economical way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. Following the recipe, you can create your own sauce and even add in some Italian sausage. This meal could help you clear your pantry before the year ends, particularly if you’ve been stockpiling noodle pasta.
