Thanksgiving Dinner Leftover Meal Ideas - 5 Recipes

We look forward to Thanksgiving dinner as much as we dread what to do with all of those leftovers. It seems like no matter how well planned and thought out Thanksgiving dinner is, it's a dilema most people deal with every year. On the other hand, there are also many people who love to have the leftovers just to be creative with them. Looking at the positive side, it's a time to test new recipes, new skills and new ways of doing things. A time of exploration so to speak.

With the weekend shopping blitz in full swing on Thanksgiving weekend, cooking is the last thing on your mind. People have to still take the time to eat and saving some money to spend on the holiday season by utilizing your leftovers in the best ways possible not only saves that money that might be used for extra groceries or eating out, it's just healthier to cook at home in most cases.

First, let's look at the post-Thanksgiving items most likely to still be around a day or two after the big dinner. The meats...ham and/or turkey, some of the vegetable side dishes such as sweet potatoes or mashed potaotes, perhaps some homemade macaroni and cheese. All of these things can be turned into other delicous meals that do not include sandwiches and the microwave. 

The first thing to figure out is if you will even have time to deal with changing up leftovers into meals.  Once that is figured out, a plan can be acted upon.  If there is not going to be the time or desire, freezing is the first thing that should be considered.  You can freeze in meal size portions to use later.  It could be that would be the first thing to consider if there are no other ideas.  With these recipes, your family will be eating some delicious meals that won't even be recognized as leftovers.

Turkey Wellington

1 small onion, diced
1 lb mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 sheets premade puff pastry, squares (4 x 4-inch)
1 cup turkey stuffing, cooked (leftover)
1 lb turkey meat (leftover)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
gravy (leftover)
cranberry sauce (leftover)