The holidays are fun. They’re also challenging. Forget the obnoxious brother-in-law for a moment and think about the logistics. Like, how are you going to feed the out-of-towners crashing on your couch?
Luckily Thanksgiving leftovers offer a smorgasbord of possibilities.
There’s the turkey, which can be piled high on panini, baked into a cheesy casserole, or simmered in soup. Cranberry relish puts a tart spin on waffles, sandwiches, and enchiladas, while a heaping pile of mashed potatoes dresses up regular old ground beef and, yes, even dessert.
In fact, it’s the shear number of things on the Thanksgiving table that make Friday mealtime such a treat: Half the cooking is already done for you.
Herbed Turkey and Waffles
1. Bountiful Herbed Turkey and Waffles
Here’s an ideal brunch for the gang: Crisp waffles piled high with leftover goodness. The sauce -- a rich mixture of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs -- is filled with leftover turkey.
Pour it right over your stack of waffles, then drizzle on yesterday’s cranberries for a tart twist. Finish it off with fresh herbs lingering in your garden.
2. Effortless Sweet Potato Pankcakes
It’s impossible to resist dessert, especially if it comes in neat individual servings that you don’t have to share. What makes these cupcakes even sweeter (beyond the rich and creamy frosting)? They put yesterday’s mashed sweet potatoes to excellent use.
Two cups of the stuff replaces the canned potatoes in this easy cupcake recipe. Stir in a few more ingredients, bake, and let them eat cake!
3. Slow Cooker New World Chili
Short on time, but long on leftovers? For feeding the group without sacrificing a minute of deal-hunting at the mall, get out your slow-cooker.
Fill it with frozen veggies, leftover turkey and squash, canned tomatoes, and some other goodies from your pantry -- and go. Dinner is ready the moment you arrive home.
4. Quick Potato-Topped Beef Bowls
Cure the post-holiday blues with comfort food at its finest -- and put that heap of mashed potatoes in your fridge to good use. Pile the mash on top of ground beef and veggies and sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
The quick dinner (or midnight snack?) is ready in less than 20 minutes, and it’s sure to make even the pickiest guest happy.
5. Layered Turkey Enchiladas
Marry all the cheesy deliciousness of enchiladas with your leftovers. Cranberry relish mellows the spiciness of the enchilada sauce (while still keeping some of the zip), and turkey and veggies from your freezer make a great filling.
You can bake the whole thing in about 20 minutes, and it’s guaranteed to dazzle the crowd.
6. Mile-High Turkey Panini Sandwich
Who doesn’t love a giant sandwich? With this one, you can pile on as much turkey as you want, along with some veggies from the fridge, and a dollop of cranberry sauce.
It’s ideal to throw in a bag for your trip to the mall, or to enjoy as a late-night snack in front of the TV.