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18 Simple Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving isn’t too far away, and the family will get together for a fantastic holiday. It’s time to pull out family games, pick a movie or two to watch, and prepare the table for the best feast of the year. Whether it's mom cooking or someone else, we all make enough food for an army. No matter the size of the family, there’s enough for everyone to eat a large portion and go back for seconds, thirds, fourths, and maybe even fifths depending on the family!

We do this so that we have leftovers for days. Nothing is better than cooking a bunch of food the day before and on Thanksgiving, and then being able to ignore cooking for a few days. That being said, it can feel like a task eating all the food before it goes bad. The family could have the same Thanksgiving dinner three days in a row, or it can be spruced up to turn those leftovers into something a little jazzier.

Everyone works hard on Thanksgiving dinner, so it shouldn’t let it go to waste. At the same time, the cook shouldn’t have to worry about how to prepare it a second time. That’s why we’ve found simple recipes that will make leftovers delicious and incredibly easy to make. Here are some recipes that will turn six classic Thanksgiving dishes into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desserts! From pumpkin pie shakes to waffles made using stuffing, we have all sorts of creations to love.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

A breakfast classic with the perfect seasonal twist!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 1-minute oats
  • 1 1/4 cups almond milk
  • 1 slice pumpkin pie, crust removed
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Directions

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes or until desired consistency is reached.
  2. Top with crust pieces, whipped cream, or walnuts. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Turkey Soup

Turkey Soup

The perfect choice for a chilly November day!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen chopped vegetable blend (onion, celery, bell pepper)
  • 1 cup frozen sliced carrots
  • 2 cups chopped cooked turkey
  • 2 cups dry wide egg noodles, uncooked
  • 1 package (32 ounce) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes

Directions

  1. Add vegetables and butter to a stockpot and saute for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 7-10 minutes or until noodles are cooked.
(Image via Midjourney)

Cranberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Cranberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Turkey isn't the only bird you should eat this November. Slather this BBQ sauce on some equally delicious chicken!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cranberry jelly
  • 1 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • 3 tablespoons chipotle in adobo, chopped

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium until it starts to simmer, then add to a blender and pulse until combined. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Mashed Potato Balls with Bacon

Mashed Potato Balls with Bacon

There aren't enough opportunities to work bacon into Thanksgiving dinner. We've got you covered!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 4 ounces block cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1/8 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 pound bacon cooked, crumbled

Directions

  1. Mix mashed potatoes, sour cream, green onion, and 1/4 cup of the bacon crumbles and shape into 1-inch balls.
  2. Place a cube of cheese into the middle of each potato ball and mash potatoes around it until cheese is completely covered.
  3. Dip the balls into the egg, then dredge in bacon bits.
  4. Place onto cookie sheet or baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 15- 20 mins.
(Image via Midjourney)

Savory Mashed Potato Pancakes

Savory Mashed Potato Pancakes

After you try this delicious leftover recipe, all other pancakes will pale in comparison!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sour cream for serving

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, add mashed potatoes, cheese, scallions, egg, and 3 tablespoons of flour until combined. 
  2. Separate the mixture into 12 portions and flatten them into pancake shapes with your hands.
  3. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour to a shallow dish and dredge each of the pancakes in flour.
  4. Add vegetable oil to a saute pan over medium heat and fry the pancakes until they are golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes. 
  5. Sprinkle with salt and serve with sour cream.
(Image via Midjourney)

Cheddar Mashed Potato Muffins

Cheddar Mashed Potato Muffins

These muffins prove that cheese and potatoes are a match made in culinary heaven.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes 
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a muffin pan. 
  2. Mix together egg, mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons chives, and salt and pepper, and divide into muffin pan.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown, then top with remaining cheese and chives and bake for an additional 3 minutes. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Stuffing Muffins

Stuffing Muffins

We won't judge if you call these "stuffin' muffins" over dinner.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups leftover stuffing or dressing
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
  2. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and divide between compartments in the muffin tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Savory Stuffing Waffles

Savory Stuffing Waffles

Potato pancakes wouldn't be complete without stuffing waffles!

Ingredients

  • Leftover stuffing
  • Mashed potatoes, for topping
  • Cranberry sauce, for topping

Directions

  1. Simply scoop stuffing into your waffle maker and let it cook for 2 or 3 cycles or until crispy and golden brown. 
  2. Top with mashed potatoes and/or cranberry sauce.
(Image via Midjourney)

Cranberry Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Cranberry Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Berries and Brussels. You just can't go wrong with this leftovers recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Leftover cranberry sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. 
  3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, then toss with cranberry sauce. 

Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese

Turkey and Cranberry Grilled Cheese

This is a huge step up from the usual post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich.

Ingredients

  • 2 slices of bread 
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large slice leftover turkey
  • 2 ounces pepper jack cheese
  • 2 ounces provolone cheese
  • 2 tablespoons homemade cranberry sauce

Directions

  1. Spread butter on the outside of each slice of bread, then place turkey, cheeses, and cranberry sauce between the bread.
  2. Cook on a skillet for about three minutes on each side or until golden brown. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Breakfast Hash

Breakfast Hash

Fuel up on breakfast hash before hunting for Black Friday bargains!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cups leftover sweet potatoes, chopped
  • Coconut oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Rosemary, to taste
  • 3 eggs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
  2. Brown sausage and transfer to a plate.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and onions to a skillet and saute until translucent. Transfer to a plate. 
  4. Add chopped sweet potatoes and rosemary and let cook for about 5 minutes.
  5. Add everything back to the skillet and crack three eggs in it. 
  6. Place skillet in the oven and bake until eggs are set, about 10-15 minutes.
(Image via Midjourney)

Cranberry Whipped Butter

Cranberry Whipped Butter

Sweet and creamy, this butter will make leftover rolls dreamy.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup cranberry sauce

Directions

  1. Beat butter with a hand mixer until fluffy
  2. Whip in cranberry sauce. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Sweet Potato Sauce with Ziti

Sweet Potato Sauce with Ziti

If Italian people had been invited to the first Thanksgiving, they probably would have cooked up this perfect pasta.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, ground
  • 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
  • 1 pound leftover sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 pound cooked pasta

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Add sweet potatoes, evaporated milk, salt, and white pepper to a blender and blend until smooth. 
  3. Pour sauce over pasta and top with Parmesan and chopped parsley.
(Image via Midjourney)

Stuffing and Chorizo Egg Cups

Stuffing and Chorizo Egg Cups

Imagine waking up from your Thanksgiving slumber to this delicious dish!

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces of Spanish chorizo, casings removed and diced
  • 2 cups of leftover plain stuffing
  • 6-8 eggs, depending on how many muffin cups you filled
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 6-8 muffin tin compartments.
  2. Mix stuffing and chorizo together and spoon into compartments.
  3. Crack an egg into each muffin cup, sprinkle salt and pepper, and bake for 20-22 minutes.
(Image via Midjourney)

Pumpkin Pie Shake

Pumpkin Pie Shake

If you thought your pumpkin pie was good on Thanksgiving, prepare to lose your mind.

Ingredients

  • 1 large slice of leftover pumpkin pie (reserve some of the pie crust edges)
  • 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until almost smooth. 
  2. Top with whipped cream and leftover pieces of pie crust. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Thanksgiving Nachos

Thanksgiving Nachos

Traditional holiday fare with a Southwestern flair!

Ingredients

  • 1 bag tortilla chips
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 pound chopped turkey breast
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 jalapeno peppers
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • Sour cream, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Add tortilla chips on the bottom of a casserole dish, then layer all other ingredients except sour cream and bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Open-Faced Sweet Potato Mushroom Sandwich

Open-Faced Sweet Potato Mushroom Sandwich

One of the ritziest dishes on this list is a sandwich, and nobody is complaining!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
  • 3 ounces crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper
  • 12 slices of bread
  • 3 bacon slices, cooked
  • 1/2 cup sliced sweet onion
  • 5 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Directions

  1. Mix together sweet potato, goat cheese, and chile pepper, then spread on toasted bread. 
  2. Top with remaining ingredients. 
(Image via Midjourney)

Pumpkin Pie Brulee

Pumpkin Pie Brulee

This recipe will have you (and your mini kitchen torch) fired up.

Ingredients

  • Leftover pumpkin pie
  • 5 tablespoons of sugar

Directions

  1. Peel the crust off the pie pieces and line the inside of small ramekins with the crust pieces. 
  2. Spoon the pie filling into the ramekins and sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over each one. 
  3. Use a mini torch to torch the sugar until it caramelizes.
(Image via Midjourney)