32 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Leftovers

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32 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Leftovers

A fabulous feast is a highlight of the holiday season, when families gather together and celebrate with a spread of festive food. But when the holidays are over, most everyone wonders what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers and Christmas leftovers! Don't let those leftovers go to waste - we've got a host of delicious ideas to turn your leftovers into tempting meals you'll love to eat a second time around.

With 32 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Leftovers, we've included recipes to transform your leftovers into hearty casseroles and tasty sandwiches, plus easy soups, stews and more. Whether you have a lot of leftovers or a little, there's a recipe here you can use!

Test Kitchen Hints & Tips
Wondering how long your holiday leftovers will last? The Test Kitchen's Leftover Storage Tips has an easy-to-read chart on refrigerator storage times, plus tips on storage containers and a food safety guide. Read our tips on storing your food safely and you won't have any doubts about enjoying it a second time!

Ham Leftovers

You'll save the day with this simple Creamy Ham Casserole. This is comfort food at its best, and it couldn't be easier to throw together even on a busy weeknight, especially with holiday leftovers!

The Italian-style omelet known as a fritata is a great way to use up leftover meats and veggies. This delicious recipe  for a Ham Frittata does just that, and is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a light lunch.

What a super way to use up leftover ham ! These easy pizzeria-style Ham 'n' Cheese Strombolis always deliver tasty raves; and you might just find yourself buying ham on purpose to make these.

A vegetable trinity of chopped onion, celery, and peppers is the crunchy, tasty start to this hearty Ham and Bean One Pot. Made with leftover ham, if you've got a hungry bunch, this one is sure to stick to their ribs.

Amish recipes are all the rage, probably because of their huge comfort factor. Our easy version of this classic country Amish Ham and Cheese Casserole takes advantage of some supermarket shortcuts. Same great taste, but a bit less work for us.

A little goes a long way with small appetizer  bites that are big on taste. Our Broccoli and Cheese Bites made from convenient refrigerated biscuits that're filled with diced ham, mozzarella string cheese and chopped frozen broccoli are sure to be crowd pleasers.

This Hearty Ham Pie is easy-as-pie to make and bake! It's got a cheesy, hearty ham filling that's oh-so-yummy. Plus, thanks to a few shortcuts, we can get this tasty dinner pie on the table in just 30 minutes!

The magic ingredient in this hearty leftover ham recipe is right in our supermarket refrigerator case. Simply bring home some refrigerated pizza crust and you'll easily make a Hearty Ham Bake that tastes sensational.

Turkey Leftovers

The ultimate comfort food  has to be a bubblin' hot Turkey Pot Pie. One forkful and you'll know we're right. Plus, a turkey pot pie is a great way to put all of those Thanksgiving leftovers to good use!

Bet you can't say Tempting Turkey Tetrazzini three times fast! This leftover turkey recipe is easy to make and tastes great; bet you'll want at least three helpings! Now, control yourself!

There's more than one way to get leftovers out of a whole turkey, and our recipe  for homemade Turkey Frame Soup will take advantage of every part of our turkey. Think of it as an eco-friendly recipe you'll love.

Our creamy and Crunchy Turkey Bake is so warming and satisfying that you'll wish there's leftover turkey at Thanksgiving to make it! This is the perfect way to take the chill off of a mid-winter day.

Whether we're using leftover turkey or we pick up some deli-style turkey breast in the market, these hearty pita sandwiches go together in a snap! Tangy dried cranberries and crunchy walnuts add to the contrast of flavors and enjoyment!

Skillet Turkey Stew is a quick and easy hearty main dish  meal you can have on your table in minutes. Whether you make it with leftover chicken or leftover turkey, it makes great use of them.  Try this easy leftover recipe tonight!

Got leftover turkey? Our 30-Minute Turkey Stew will breathe new life into your leftovers and no one will ever guess how you did it. This hearty one-pot meal is sure to stick to your ribs and stretch your food budget.

Instead of letting your Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste, use 'em to make our Thanksgiving in a Bun recipe. This sandwich is basically a combination of everything that you love about Thanksgiving, all "stuffed" inside a roll.

Leftover Potatoes

Our twist on traditional Shepherd's Pie makes great use of lighter ground chicken instead of ground beef. Our Easy Dinner  Pie is stick-to-your-ribs delicious. Make it with your leftover potatoes from any holiday feast!

Mashed potatoes always offer stick-to-your-ribs comfort, and our Mashed Potato Casserole is a new twist on a family favorite side dish recipe . Our spuds will never be duds if we make 'em this way!

Mashed potatoes in cookies?! Sh, let's keep the secret to these can't-get-enough-of-'em Chocolate Potato Cookies until everybody tastes 'em! Who woulda thought that leftover potatoes could be dessert!

Win over party guests or even your family with these homemade , melt-in-your-mouth Potato Puffs. The warm, golden crust contrasts with the creamy potato filling to ensure that you'll never want store-bought again.

These Mashed Potato Pancakes eliminate the grated knuckles we get from grating raw potatoes traditional-style. These little bites are a nice change of pace and are downright delicious.

These rich and creamy Loaded Potato Bites are everything you love about a loaded baked potato! What a super change of pace to team with your main dish favorites!

Need a holiday potato recipe that isn't like the rest? Your Thanksgiving feast is sure to take on tasty excitement with these delicious Cheddar Potato Patties. Made with creamy mashed potatoes and savory cheddar cheese, these are company special!

When company is coming for the winter holidays, we like to go all out. Our Baked Smashed Potato Casserole is a super change of pace from traditional mashed potatoes. Made with red potatoes and topped with a flavorful cheesy crust, this will add excitement to Thanksgiving or Christmas entertaining.

Leftover Cranberries

This tart and creamy No-Bake Cranberry Pie looks as holiday-festive as it tastes. Maybe make two, one for your feast and bring another to a friend to extend the holiday cheer.

There's nothing as comforting as a warm dessert, and this Cranberry Cobbler has them all beat! Bake one up with your leftover cranberries from your holiday feast, tonight!

Fruit and poultry are always a great pairing. That's why we made succulent Cranberry Chicken that you won't be able to resist!

Creamy Cranberry Dream Bars are a delightful treat. They can be served as a fancy dessert or a simple kids' snack.

If you've never made acorn squash, you're missing out on what I think is one of the best autumn veggies. Try this recipe  as your introduction to (or reminder of) a really yummy veggie.

With a chewy texture and a lemon zest kick our Sour Cream Cranberry Bars are sure to become a winter cookie favorite. Set 'em out after dinner  or as a snack, and watch as they fly off the plate!

Wait'll you sink your teeth into the sweet 'n' creamy cranberry filling inside our flaky Cranberry Pockets. This recipe does triple-duty for breakfast, snacking, or dessert, making it a holiday season hero!

Whether you serve your Cranberry Upside Down Cake as a rise-and-shine breakfast or a dessert, it's sure to bring you raves. With its wholesome ingredients like cranberries, pecans and canola oil, you can't miss!

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