9 Ways To Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers Like A Pro

@speakeatery

Leftovers are a beautiful thing. When you’re younger, you might not appreciate them as much, but when you’re a fully functional adult living in the real world, the idea of having homecooked meals to last you a few days is pretty exciting. And it’s especially awesome around Thanksgiving when you get to stock all of your childhood favorites in your fridge as late-night munchies. So when you’ve made it back to your place after the holidays and you’re prepared with all of the leftovers, here’s what to do with them.

1. Sweet Potato Scones

If there are any sweet potato leftovers, it’s time to make yourself some scones. Here’s a recipe that combines your mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.

2. Brie And Cranberry Bites

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Puff pastry is a kitchen staple that’ll always come in handy. If you have some leftover cranberry sauce and a little brie cheese, you can whip up some cranberry brie bites. You just need to cut your puff pastry into little squares, put them in muffin tins, top them with your leftovers and bake them at about 375 for 12 minutes.

3. Turkey Bolognese

If you scored some leftover turkey, you can make an easy turkey bolognese. Sauté some garlic, onions, carrots and celery, toss around a little turkey, pour in tomato sauce and seasonings, and then toss it all with some spaghetti.

4. Thanksgiving Pizza

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This one’s a no-brainer. All you’ll need is some pizza dough. Here’s a recipe for a Thanksgiving pizza topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, balls of stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce and gravy. This one might even beat your actual Thanksgiving meal.

 5. Loaded Nachos

Buy yourself a bag of tortilla chips and make some Thanksgiving nachos. This recipe suggests covering your nachos with white cheddar, dark meat turkey, jalapeños, mashed potatoes and warm gravy. Top it with some cranberry sauce and you’re all set with a perfect movie snack.

6. Leftovers Panini

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A top priority when you’re using up your leftovers should be a Thanksgiving panini. Spread a layer of cranberry sauce, a little brie, some turkey, sweet potatoes and stuffing on your bread, and then toast your sandwich until it’s golden brown and the brie is melted. Works like a charm.

7. Cranberry Waffles

For the lucky ones who have a waffle maker at home, you can use up your cranberry sauce leftovers for cranberry Belgian waffles. If you have some oranges lying around, add a little orange zest to the batter for a kick of citrus. You can top the waffles with any remaining cranberry sauce and some syrup, too.

8. Turkey Hash

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If you wake up the morning after Turkey Day and you have a second wind for everything you were too full to eat the night before, try making turkey hash. You’ll sauté some potatoes and peppers until they’re golden brown and then add your turkey and herbs. Cook a couple of sunny-side-up eggs, fried eggs or poached eggs in another pan, and serve them over the hash.

9. Corn Pancakes

If one of your relatives made a little too much creamed corn, use it to make corn pancakes. This recipe combines cornmeal with your average pancake ingredients and then your leftover creamy corn. A large skillet or griddle would probably be best for making these pancakes.