10+ Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes You Should Try

Lavish meals and sumptuous spreads are synonymous with Thanksgiving. Most of us spend long hours preparing such hearty meals for our loved ones, and the last thing you would want is to let any of that go waste! We have some yummy and easy-to-make thanksgiving leftover recipes that you should definitely try! Keep on reading to know some of the best thanksgiving leftover ideas!

Easy Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe Ideas

Whether it’s leftover mashed potatoes, turkey, or cranberry sauce, you can twist it and make some great recipes. If you are scratching your brains to turn your leftover thanksgiving food into some interesting treats for your family and loved ones, you can put an end to your search now. Here are some thanksgiving leftovers recipes that you should definitely try. We are certain that these recipes will turn out delicious and put a smile on everyone’s face!

1. Leftover Mashed Potato Pizza

This pizza with a slight twist of mashed potatoes will make for a yummy lunch or dinner recipe!

Ingredients

• 2-3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 4 ounces bacon, diced
• 1 ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 leek, finely sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 10 to 12 basil leaves
• 1 pound ready to use pizza dough
• Kosher salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes, as required

Total Cooking Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings: 6-7

Method

• Divide pizza dough into two equal parts and roll each portion in approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
• Preheat the oven at 500 degrees for half an hour and cook the pizza base partially for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the partially cooked pizza from the oven and keep it aside.
• Cook bacon over medium heat until it turns crispy. Place it on a kitchen towel to get rid of extra fat.
• Now, spread mashed potatoes over the pizza base.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle half of the grated cheese, bacon pieces, leak, basil leaves, and minced garlic over the pizza base.
• Now, sprinkle the remaining grated cheese and bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until the crust becomes crispy.
• Sprinkle chili flakes and serve hot!

2. Leftover Mashed Potato Balls

This easy and quick recipe can be served as a filling snack!

Ingredients

• 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 slices of bacon, diced and cooked
• 2 eggs
• 1 ¼ cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Oil, for frying

Total Cooking Time: 40 to 45 minutes

Servings: 4-5

Method

• Break eggs in a deep bowl and beat until frothy. Keep aside.
• Place bread crumbs in a bowl and keep them next to the beaten eggs.
• In a deep mixing bowl, put mashed potatoes, chives, bacon, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well with your hands until all the ingredients get incorporated.
• Heat oil in a wok on medium flame.
• Scoop a small amount of potato mix and make a small ball by rolling it between your palms. Do the same with the rest of the potato mixture.
• Dip the rolled potato ball one by one in the egg mixture, and then roll it over bread crumbs.
• Gently slide each ball in hot oil and cook until it turns golden brown and crispy.
• Serve hot with any dip or sauce of your choice.

3. Leftover Turkey Casserole

This is a simple thanksgiving leftover casserole recipe that you can make with leftover turkey!

Ingredients 

• 3 cups leftover turkey, cut into cubes
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup grated and divided parmesan
• 7 to 8 oz cooked egg noodles
• 1 ½ cup sliced mushrooms
• 2/3 cup panko
• 1 chopped onion
• 4 cups chicken stock
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 6 to 7 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 to 4 chopped tablespoons parsley
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Total Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 5 to 6

Method

• Heat three tablespoons butter in a saucepan, add onion and mushroom. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the veggies become tender. Add salt and flour and keep cooking for a minute or two. Add chicken stock slowly to the pan and bring it to boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add cheddar and ½ cup parmesan cheese into it and mix well.
• Now, add peas, cooked noodles, lemon juice, and parsley to the saucepan. Give a nice mix to incorporate all the ingredients.
• Take ¼ cup parmesan and combine it with panko, butter, and salt. Give a nice mix and keep aside.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Take a 9” by 13” inches baking dish and grease it with some butter.
• Transfer the noodle mixture and use a spatula to even out the mixture.
• Top it with a panko and cheese mixture.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling.
• Garnish with parsley before serving!

4. Breakfast Leftover Stuffing Waffle

This is one of the quickest and fairly simple leftover stuffing recipes that you can enjoy as a hearty thanksgiving leftover breakfast option!

Ingredients 

• 4 cups leftover stuffing, crumbled
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
• ½ cup leftover gravy, slightly warmed up
• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, warmed up
• ¼ cup leftover cranberry sauce
• Oil for greasing the waffle iron

Total Cooking Time: 1 hour

Servings: 3 to 4

Method 

• Take a deep mixing bowl. Add leftover stuffing, eggs, and parsley and mix well.
• Preheat the waffle iron (preferably the Belgian waffle style) at the medium setting and generously grease the bottom side of the iron with oil.
• Take the stuffing mix and pack the waffle iron firmly and evenly. Close the waffle iron and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the waffle becomes crispy and golden and is easy to remove from the iron.
• Place the hot waffle on a plate. Scoop out some mashed potato and place it on top of the waffle. Pour some gravy and cranberry sauce on top and serve!

5. Meatballs in Leftover Cranberry Sauce

This recipe uses leftover cranberry sauce to make some mouthwatering meatballs!

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cup ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 can cranberry sauce
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup barbeque sauce
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Total Cooking Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Servings: 5 to 6

Method

• In a deep bowl, mix ground beef, chopped chives, minced garlic, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper. Roll the mixture in your palms to fashion small balls, approximately the size of a golf ball.
• Heat oil in a flat pan and place all the meatballs in a single layer. Cook from all the sides until they turn brown.
• In a bowl, put cranberry sauce, chili, and barbeque sauce and give a thorough mix.
• Now, pour this sauce mix over the meatballs and cook the meatballs and sauce on low flame for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm!

6. Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Sandwich

Enjoy this yummy thanksgiving leftover sandwich recipe as a cozy lunch option or quick fix dinner option!

Ingredients

• 8 slices of rye bread
• 2 ½ cups sliced leftover turkey
• 2 cups leftover stuffing, warmed up
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups sauerkrauts
• 8 slices of swiss cheese
• 4 to 5 tablespoons Russian dressing
• Freshly ground pepper and salt, as required

Total Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Servings: 3 to 4

Method 

• Place four slices of bread on a flat surface.
• Spread unsalted butter on one side of each bread.
• Flip the buttered side and spread Russian dressing on the top of every bread slice.
• Place a slice of swiss cheese on each bread slice.
• Crumble the leftover stuffing and place it evenly on every slice.
• Place sauerkrauts and sliced turkey.
• Bake these open bread slices in a batch of four under the broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese melts.
• Remove from the broiler and gently combine two bread slices and press them together to secure the filling.
• Toast the sandwich from both sides by placing it for a few more minutes in the broiler.
• Serve hot with some fries and coleslaw!

7. Leftover Thanksgiving Lasagna

No lasagna sheets or tomato sauce is required to bring together this yummy thanksgiving leftover recipe!

Ingredients 

• 3 cups thanksgiving leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 cup green beans
• 2 to 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup shredded leftover turkey
• ½ cup gravy
• ½ cup cranberry sauce
• 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese,
• 2 tablespoon butter, melted

Total Cooking Time: 1 hour

Servings: 8 to 10

Method

• Take mashed potatoes in a bowl and add beaten egg into it. Mix well and keep aside.
• Use butter to grease an 8” by 8” inches baking dish.
• Dust the greased baking dish with breadcrumbs. Let extra crumbs remain in the dish, do not discard.
• Take 1/3 amount of potato and egg mix and spread it in the dish.
• Cover with some shredded cheese and drizzle gravy on top.
• Now, place greens, followed by more shredded turkey, gravy, and then cranberry sauce.
• Repeat the same layering process one more time.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and cook lasagna for 35 to 40 minutes. Let the lasagna sit for 10 to 15 minutes before you serve it.
• Serve with some more cranberry sauce and gravy, if you like!

8. Leftover Thanksgiving Pasta

A great way to turn your thanksgiving leftover food into a yummy lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 1 cup chopped white onions
• 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 12 oz wholewheat pasta
• 2 to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cup chopped leftover turkey
• 1 ½ cup leftover veggies, chopped (sweet potatoes, peas, Brussel sprouts, etc.)
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

Total Cooking Time: 40 to 45 minutes

Servings: 4 to 5

Method

• Heat butter in a saucepan.
• Throw in chopped onions, celery, and minced garlic, and cook for a minute.
• Add thyme, sage, pepper salt, give a nice stir.
• Add all-purpose flour to the vegetable mixture and cook for two to three minutes on medium heat.
•  Add pasta, heavy cream, and chicken broth to the saucepan and bring all the ingredients to boil. Bring down the heat and cook on low flame for 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Turn off the heat.
• Throw in cheddar cheese and leftover vegetables and give a good mix.
• Sprinkle chopped parsley on top and serve hot!

9. Leftover Turkey and Rice Broth

This meal bowl is great for lazy evenings when you don’t feel like cooking, especially after working so hard for a Thanksgiving meal!

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups ground turkey
• ½ cup bacon, cut into pieces
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 yellow pepper, chopped
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• Kosher salt and pepper, as per taste

Total Cooking Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Servings: 3 to 4

Method 

• Take a deep pan, cook bacon on medium heat until it turns golden brown and crispy. Just let a tablespoon of the fat remain in the pan, discard the rest.
• Cook ground turkey in bacon fat for 2 to 3 minutes on medium to high flame.
• Throw in onions, garlic, carrots, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
• Now put pepper, chicken broth, and white wine into the pan, simmer the heat and cook all the ingredients for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add cooked rice and parsley and give a nice stir. Remove the broth from heat.
• Top it up with crispy bacon and serve hot!

10. Leftover Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce Pesto

A perfect recipe to whip up some of your leftovers into a scrumptious meal!

Ingredients 

• 2 cups leftover stuffing
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• ½ cup walnuts
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce
• Oil for deep frying

Total Cooking Time: 25 to 30 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Method

• Take the stuffing and scoop some out using a small spoon and roll it between your palms to make small balls. Do the same with the rest of the stuffing.
• Whisk egg and milk in a deep bowl and keep them aside.
• Place breadcrumbs in a dish.
• Now dunk each stuffing ball in the egg mix and then smear the crumbs all over it. Dust any extra crumbs. Coat all the stuffing balls in this fashion and place them on a plate.
• Heat oil in a wok for frying.
• Fry stuffing balls in batches until they turn golden and crispy.
• Churn cranberry sauce, walnuts, and pepper in the grinder, and serve this cranberry pesto with piping hot stuffing bites!

11. Leftover Cheesy Dip

This yummy dip can be enjoyed with snacks and can also be used as a spread for sandwiches!

Ingredients 

• 2 cups assorted leftover cheese (gouda, cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, etc.)
• ¼ cup cream cheese
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons of butter at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• Kosher salt to taste

Total Cooking Time: 10 to 12 minutes

Servings: This recipe will fetch you almost 2 cups of dip

Method

• Take all the leftover cheese and put it in the blender jar. Make sure you shred or grate any hard cheese variety to ensure uniformity in the consistency.
• Next, add dry white wine, cream cheese, salt, ground black pepper, minced garlic, butter, and kosher salt into the blender jar.
• Blend all the ingredients to make a smooth paste. Scoop out the contents in a bowl and add freshly chopped parsley into it. Mix well and serve with any snack of your choice. You can store the dip in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Make these incredibly delicious leftover recipes for your family.  We have made efforts to choose simple and easy recipes that are also quick to make. Do try some of these delicious recipes from the leftover food you have with you. Bon Appetit!

Also Read:

Leftover Rice Recipes to Try
Microwave Recipes to Try at Home
Iced Tea Recipes to Beat Summer Heat