Ah, Thanksgiving 2018 has come and gone and now it’s Cyber Monday. If you’re too busy shopping online today (or just living your regular life) to plan this week’s meal–let alone cook–here’s hoping you still have leftovers. But if you are sick of turkey leftovers or even the turkey-stuffing-cranberry sandwiches (my favorite), creative leftovers can make you extra thankful…for the Thanksgiving meal that keeps on giving throughout your busy work week!
I am weirdly satisfied when I am able to use up foods I have in the fridge. Is that a dietitian thing?! Or can you relate? Here’s my thinking:
- Part of it is about making the most out of the meal to use up natural resources (i.e., the turkey and the vegetables).
- Of course I’m also happy to create more meals from one holiday meal to stretch out the food savings.
- But mainly I find it rewarding to create new meals–that my family members love and look foward to–out of tired, boring leftovers.
So, this week’s Meal Planning Monday inspiration is creative leftovers. Feel free to leave a comment about how you love using up your turkey and leftovers!
Meal Planning This Week
Monday (a busy night): Leftover Shepherd’s Pie (Gluten Free)–a new recipe! I froze half of this pie I made last week, but you could also use up leftover mashed potatoes and/or vegetables with this recipe.
Tuesday (a busy night): Leftover After-Thanksgiving Creamy Turkey and Rice Soup (new instructions for Instant Pot turkey bone broth!) Usually my husband makes this soup the Friday after Thanksgiving, but I waited till I got home to make it on Sunday so I could use my Instant Pot to speed up the broth step (while also being able to leave the house–win-win!)
Wednesday: Instant Pot Chicken/Turkey Enchilada Casserole Use turkey if you have it, or chicken. You make the meat filling and enchilada sauce for this casserole in the Instant Pot and then assemble it into a casserole. It can be made ahead; just keep it in the fridge till you bake it. Leftovers freeze well, too.
Thursday (a busy night): Chicken/Turkey Pot Pie This is a family favorite with chicken or turkey and even when we don’t have leftover cranberry sauce, we serve it with the pot pie–a guilty pleasure! I feel a little better only using one crust on top.
Friday: Leftover leftovers?! Or if you’re fed up with fowl, it may be time for this easy Sheet Pan Italian Sausage, Pepper and Zucchini Bake
Buon Appetito!