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Creative Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes to Love

Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into satisfying meals and snacks — from comforting soups and pastas to tasty sandwiches, appetizers, and sweet breakfasts. With leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and squash you can quickly create new, delicious dishes that feel like cozy comfort food.

A pot of turkey noodle soup with text overlay that says Thanksgiving leftovers.

Thanksgiving dinner keeps on giving — and these Thanksgiving leftovers recipes make the most of every bite. Use leftover mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted turkey, and winter squashes to make easy, flavorful dishes that your family will actually look forward to eating.

Whether you want a warming bowl of soup, a creamy pasta, a quick sandwich, or a fun appetizer for guests, these ideas turn common leftovers into fresh, satisfying meals. Read on for a roundup of tried-and-true recipes that are perfect for the days after the big meal.

Enjoy the leftovers, take it easy on Black Friday shopping, and don’t forget your stretchy pants — it’s the season for good food and easy comfort. XO

Overhead image of a pot full of turkey noodle soup.

Turkey Noodle Soup

This Turkey Noodle Soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. Loaded with veggies, egg noodles, and protein-packed turkey, it’s simple, nourishing, and made from leftovers.

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close up shot of chowder with leftover turkey, potatoes, and corn

Turkey Corn Chowder

One pot and about 30 minutes is all you need for this hearty chowder, packed with turkey, potatoes, and corn — quick comfort using Thanksgiving leftovers.

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A bowl of leftover turkey soup with orzo and spinach.

Leftover Turkey Soup

A hearty turkey soup featuring tomatoes, spinach, orzo pasta, and tender pieces of leftover turkey — a comforting, nutritious way to use up meat from the holiday.

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Turkey salad served with a croissant.

Turkey Salad Sandwiches

Make crunchy, flavorful turkey salad sandwiches with leftover turkey, dried cranberries, and celery — great on croissants, rolls, or toast for a quick lunch.

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Ground Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas arranged in a gray-colored baking pan and topped with green onions, sour cream, and lime wedges.

Ground Turkey Enchiladas

These cheesy enchiladas are packed with savory turkey and black beans — a family-friendly, satisfying dinner that can use leftover turkey or ground turkey.

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Overhead image of a cast iron skillet filled with pasta and turkey chunks in a creamy sauce to make turkey tetrazzini.

Turkey Tetrazzini

This creamy turkey tetrazzini is a quick stovetop version of the classic casserole — rich, comforting, and ideal for using leftover turkey and pasta.

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turkey wild rice casserole in a baking dish with a big spoon.

Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

A cozy casserole that combines leftover turkey, wild rice, mushrooms, vegetables, and cheese for a hearty one-dish meal your family will love.

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A slice of leftover turkey frittata topped with sour cream, with the skillet in the background

Leftover Turkey Frittata

A simple frittata loaded with spinach, mozzarella, and leftover turkey. Quick to prepare and naturally gluten-free — a great leftover makeover for breakfast or dinner.

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Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas - Sweet, tart cranberry sauce and tender turkey meat tucked inside melty, cheesy quesadillas.

Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas

Cranberry turkey quesadillas bring sweet-tart cranberry sauce, melty cheese, and tender turkey together inside warm tortillas — a fast, fun snack or lunch.

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A stack of pumpkin pancakes topped with cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Fluffy pumpkin pancakes made with real pumpkin and warm spices — try topping them with leftover cranberry sauce for a seasonal twist.

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A wheel of melted baked brie cheese topped with red cranberry sauce.

Cranberry Sauce Topped Baked Brie

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is an easy, elegant appetizer: warm, gooey brie topped with tart cranberry sauce — a perfect use for leftover cranberries.

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Cheesy Potato Waffles - Delicious, cheesy, and savory waffles prepared with leftover mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these potato waffles not only taste amazing, but they are a super fun meal to serve to your family. 

Cheesy Potato Waffles

Use leftover mashed potatoes to make crispy, cheesy potato waffles — savory, fun to serve, and a clever way to reinvent leftover spuds.

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Close-up photo of potato croquettes served in a bowl with a side of aioli and lemon wedges.

Potato Croquettes

Crispy croquettes made from mashed potatoes, bacon, cheddar, and chives — breaded and fried until golden, served with a smoky garlic aioli for dipping.

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A tall stack of mashed potato pancakes topped with a dollop of sour cream on a plate.

Mashed Potato Pancakes

Mashed potato pancakes are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside — a fantastic way to reinvent leftover mashed potatoes with garlic, spinach, and parmesan.

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Overhead view of a baking dish with a sweet potato shepherd's pie and a spoon resting inside of the baking dish.

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

A family-friendly sweet potato shepherd’s pie topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and filled with savory meat and veggies — hearty comfort food that reheats well.

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close up shot of salad greens topped with squash, pomegranate arils, nuts, and goat cheese

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

This roasted butternut squash salad mixes tender squash, salad greens, pomegranate arils, goat cheese, walnuts, and pepitas with a bright dressing — a refreshing way to use roasted squash.

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Overhead view of butternut squash and spinach pie in a baking dish, with sliced missing.

Butternut Squash and Spinach Pie

A savory pie filled with butternut squash, spinach, and feta wrapped in crisp phyllo — a great vegetarian option that highlights leftover roasted squash.

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A ladle lifting creamy butternut squash soup from a large red pot.

Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy butternut squash soup blends simple ingredients and warm spices for a silky, comforting bowl — perfect for chilly fall days and great with leftover squash.

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Fresh baked pumpkin muffins in a muffin tray

Pumpkin Muffins

Soft, tender pumpkin muffins crowned with cinnamon sugar — an easy way to turn canned or leftover pumpkin into a cozy breakfast or snack.

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overhead shot of pumpkin french toast slices arranged on a plate with a bowl of maple syrup set next to them.

Pumpkin French Toast Recipe

Thick-sliced pumpkin French toast dipped in a rich pumpkin batter and cooked to golden perfection — a seasonal brunch idea that’s ideal for using leftover pumpkin or canned puree.

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