Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey and Stuffing

Try as you might, theres a pretty good chance youll find yourself with Thanksgiving leftovers after the main meal has wrapped up. Rather than eating the same thing for days on end, why not get creative? One of the most versatile dishes you might be working with is stuffing. The herb-laden dish is a great base for plenty of meals, like bread pudding, waffles and more. Weve rounded up the best leftover stuffing recipes that help you make the most of it.

While theres nothing wrong with sitting down with a plate of stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green beans day after day, we cant blame you if it starts to get a little boring. Creative preparation methods like adding marinara sauce and ground beef to make meatballs, or adding in some cheese and other elements to make a cozy casserole, are easy ways to make your leftover stuffing feel like something you and your family are excited to eat.

This is a hearty, cozy way to use up your leftover stuffing. The addition of marinara sauce and ground beef creates a different flavor profile, so it wont feel like youre eating the same thing all over again.

How adorable are these muffins? Theyre made with baby kale and flavorful Gruyère. You can top them with a fried egg for an easy, satisfying breakfast or snack.

The holidays have come and gone, and now you’re left with leftovers of turkey and stuffing. Eating plate after plate of leftovers can get boring fast. Before you get tired of turkey sandwiches and plain old reheated stuffing try one of these creative recipes to give your leftovers new life!

Make Hearty Casseroles

One of the easiest ways to transform leftovers into something new is to throw them together into a casserole. Turkey and stuffing lend moisture, texture and flavor to casserole dishes.

Turkey Pot Pie – Line a pie dish with leftover stuffing Fill with turkey, veggies, and gravy Top with more stuffing and bake until hot and crispy.
Stuffing-Stuffed Pork Chops – Butterfly pork chops and fill with stuffing. Pan fry chops, then bake in mushroom soup.
Broccoli and Stuffing Casserole – Mix chopped broccoli, stuffing cubes, cream of mushroom soup, and cheese. Top with fried onions.
Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole – Fold mashed sweet potatoes, stuffing, pecans, and maple syrup into a casserole.

Casseroles are such a cozy, satisfying way to serve up leftovers. The combinations are endless!

Make Savory Breakfasts

Looking for a new breakfast idea? Leftover stuffing can be the base for all sorts of morning meals. Here are some tasty stuffing breakfasts to try:

Stuffing Waffles – Fold stuffing into waffle batter. Top with gravy or fried eggs.
Baked Egg and Stuffing Cups – Line muffin tins with stuffing cubes. Crack an egg into each one and bake.
Stuffing Breakfast Casserole – In a baking dish, layer stuffing, sausage, eggs, cheese and veggies.
Stuffing Breakfast Burritos – Scramble eggs and stuffing. Wrap in a tortilla with cheese.

With stuffing’s rich flavor and hearty texture, these breakfasts will keep you full and satisfied all morning.

Transform Stuffing into Appetizers

Small bites are the perfect way to nibble on leftovers without getting bored. Turn extra stuffing into crowd-pleasing finger foods:

Stuffing Meatballs – Mix ground turkey with leftover stuffing to make tender, herby meatballs.
Stuffed Mushrooms – Spoon stuffing into mushroom caps and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until hot.
Deviled Eggs – Mix yolks with stuffing, mustard, and mayo. Scoop into hard boiled egg whites.
Stuffing Arancini – Form stuffing into balls, coat in breadcrumbs, and deep fry for cheesy bites.
Stuffing Egg Rolls – Wrap stuffing and turkey in egg roll wrappers. Deep fry until crispy.

Appetizers are such a fun way to breathe new life into leftovers. Set out a platter at your next party!

Bake Stuffing into Breads

My favorite way to repurpose extra stuffing is by baking it into breads, biscuits, scones, and muffins. The stuffing keeps the baked goods extra moist. Try these tasty recipes:

Stuffing Muffins – Fold diced stuffing into muffin batter. Add dried cranberries for a sweet touch.
Stuffing Biscuits – Mix chopped stuffing into drop biscuit dough before baking.
Stuffing Bread – Add stuffing cubes to bread dough before baking for a savory, herby loaf.
Stuffing Scones – Cut cold butter into stuffing until crumbly. Form into scones and bake until golden.

With stuffing’s rich flavors, these breads make a satisfying meal any time of day.

Simmer Stuffing Into Soups

Warm and comforting soups are a wonderful way to use up stuffing leftovers. The stuffing adds hearty texture and soaks up the soup broth beautifully. Try these soup recipes:

Turkey and Stuffing Soup – Simmer turkey, stuffing cubes, carrots, celery, and onion in broth.
Stuffing Dumpling Soup – Form leftover stuffing into small dumplings. Simmer in chicken broth with veggies.
Stuffing Noodle Soup – Thinly slice leftover stuffing. Add to chicken noodle soup for a twist.
Creamy Stuffing Soup – Puree stuffing with chicken broth and cream. Garnish with crispy fried sage.

With stuffing’s signature flavors, these soups will leave you feeling cozy and satisfied.

Stuffing-Stuffed Vegetables

Get your veggies in by stuffing them with leftover stuffing! The contrast of crispy baked vegetable and savory interior is delicious. Try these tasty stuffed veggie ideas:

Stuffing-Stuffed Peppers – Fill roasted red peppers with leftover stuffing. Drizzle with marinara sauce.
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms – Stuff large portobello caps with stuffing, feta, and spinach. Bake until hot.
Stuffing-Stuffed Squash – Bake acorn squash or pumpkin halves. Fill with stuffing and pecans.
Twice Baked Potatoes – Scoop out baked potatoes and mix flesh with stuffing. Stuff back into skins and re-bake.

Stuffed veggies are an easy, healthy way to repurpose extra stuffing after the holidays.

Final Thoughts

Holiday leftovers don’t have to get boring. With a little creativity, you can transform extra turkey and stuffing into all kinds of easy, delicious dishes. From hearty casseroles to stuffed vegetables, sweet baked goods to savory soups, there are so many tasty ways to reimagine leftovers. Try out some of these recipes, and you may find yourself looking forward to leftovers!