Even when we don’t host a big group for Thanksgiving, I still go all out and prepare a big turkey with several side dishes.
My philosophy is that if I’m going to spend two days cooking, I want to be able to take a few days off afterwards and enjoy some leftovers. The problem I run into every year is that sometime around dinner of day two, I’m tired of having a repeat of the same meal.
You see, in sheer laziness, I layer all of the leftovers into a casserole dish, bake it, and continue eating from it until it’s gone or I’m so sick of eating the same thing I shove it to the back of the fridge where it is forgotten until we smell something strange every time we open the fridge door.
This year I decided to go in search of some more creative leftover recipes so that I could still make use of the extra food that’s already prepared without getting bored with the flavors.
Thanks to the ingenuity of several different cooks, I found a great variety of recipes that transform traditional Thanksgiving fare into exotic and delicious new dishes. Here are my favorites.
Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
Leftover Turkey Tamale Casserole from Host the Toast
White Turkey Lasagna with Mushrooms from Crumb
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic-Parmesan Cauliflower Topping from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo Sandwiches from the Noble Pig
Mashed Potato Spring Rolls from Momofukufor2
Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms from the Daily Meal
Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Waffles from Comfortably Domestic
Cranberry Chutney Yogurt Parfait from Foodtastic Mom
Corinne Schmitt
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patricia says
November 30, 2013 at 6:56 pmWhile those look good I make sure I buy just enough to eat one more time. I hate leftovers and hardly ever eat something two days in a row.
Amanda says
November 30, 2013 at 5:30 pmThose recipes look delicious. I would love some stuffing today!
Chrishelle says
November 30, 2013 at 9:21 amMost creative leftover recipes I have ever seen. I am going to have to try the Sheppard’s Pie, sounds delicious.
Holly @ Coconutheadsurvivalguide says
November 30, 2013 at 6:52 amHi Corinne –
We were on our way home from Grandma’s and stopped for lunch and their special was a turkey sandwich. We were like… REALLY?!?!?!
These are great creative ways to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner over and over again. Hugs, Holly
Karen says
November 30, 2013 at 12:58 amThese look delicious, I am going to have to try the stuffed peppers
Pam says
November 29, 2013 at 11:59 pmMashed potato spring rolls sound really interesting. I will have to take some time and look through all of these again. I feel the same way as you do with the leftovers. It is better to be a little creative.
Amanda Love ~ Growing Up Madison says
November 29, 2013 at 9:32 pmWe don’t usually do anything with our leftovers. We just eat it that way. Well the adults do, the kids don’t eat leftovers.These are some great ideas.
Ashley Gill says
November 29, 2013 at 8:42 pmMashed potato spring rolls sound interesting! I was just thinking about something similar this morning as I was deciding on how to eat turkey for lunch and dinner.
Pam says
November 29, 2013 at 7:16 pmThose really are creative leftovers. All we really had leftover this year was turkey so I envision a lot of soup and pot pies. P
Jennifer Williams says
November 29, 2013 at 7:13 pmI honestly thought I would get to come up with some leftover recipes, but there is not much left over and everyone is already fighting over what is left.
Amanda Ripsam says
November 29, 2013 at 4:16 pmMy favorite is turkey shepherds pie.
Amberlee says
November 29, 2013 at 3:34 pmThey all sound amazing! I just wish I had taken some leftovers home last night
coolchillmom says
November 29, 2013 at 2:35 pmVery creative! this is definitively very useful,I am sharing around. We don’t know what to do with all the leftovers, and your suggestions are way better that reheating
Kim Miller says
November 29, 2013 at 12:35 pmThese look fabulous, and are very unique. I am definitely going to give them a try!
Rosey says
November 29, 2013 at 12:33 pmPerfect timing for me, we’ve got a LOT of leftovers, as I’m sure many do and I was so wondering what to make out of them that would be original and tasty too. 😉
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
November 29, 2013 at 10:45 amSuch wonderful ideas and I’m really eyeing that cranberry Monte Cristo sandwich.
wendi watson says
November 29, 2013 at 8:07 amI always need ideas for left overs instead of just using them the same way every year! thanks for the tips!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
November 29, 2013 at 7:54 amI’m intrigued. I think I am going to check out the Mashed Potato Spring Rolls recipe first!!
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families says
November 27, 2013 at 11:27 pmThese are great ideas. I am thankful I don’t have to deal with leftovers, we have a potluck style Thanksgiving dinner and most of the food disappears.