Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

I love leftovers!   Aside from the fact that part of the work is done,  you can recreate them and make a whole new dish.  Below are six of my favorite ways to use up that Thanksgiving turkey.

Cranberry Turkey Casserole

4 cups cooked  bow-tie pasta
2 cups cooked diced turkey
2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
1 cup dried cranberries, plus extra for garnish
2/3 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, plus extra for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a baking dish, combine all ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.  Mix well.  Bake 30 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with dried cranberries and pine nuts or slivered almonds.

Layered Turkey Enchiladas

1 pound cooked turkey, shredded
2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can Cream of Chicken Soup
6 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium bowl, combine turkey, green chiles, and Cream of Chicken Soup.  Mix well.  In lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup of turkey mixture.  Arrange 3 tortillas over top.  Spread 1/2 of remaining turkey mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over top.  Arrange 3 tortillas over cheese.  Spread remaining turkey mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over top.  Bake 45 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.  Makes 6 servings.

Note:  If you like your enchiladas to be spicy, swap out one or both of the cans of green chile for diced Jalapeno peppers.

Turkey and Dressing Casserole

6 cups leftover dressing
1 pound cooked turkey, shredded
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans low sodium Cream of Chicken soup or 3 cups leftover gravy
2 (6 ounce) containers Greek yogurt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, layer 1/2 of the stuffing.  Arrange turkey over top.  Spread soup or gravy over top.  Spread yogurt over soup or gravy. Sprinkle remaining stuffing over top.  Bake 45 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown.

Nacho Cheese Turkey Chowder

1 pound cooked turkey, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 (14.5 ounce) cans Mexican style tomatoes, undrained

1 (10 3/4 ounce) can nacho cheese soup

1 (10 ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn

Shredded Mexican style or cheddar cheese

In large saucepan, combine turkey, tomatoes, soup, and corn.  Mix well.  Cook on medium heat until heated through.  Sprinkle each serving with cheese. makes 6 servings. 

Buffalo Turkey Soup

3 cups shredded cooked turkey
3 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
4 cups milk
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup hot wing sauce

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Simmer on low 15 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

 

 

Green Chile Turkey Pasta

1 (16 ounce) package rigatoni noodles, cooked, drained

2 (16 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce

1 pound cooked turkey, shredded

2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles

2 (8 ounce) packages shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In 4 quart baking dish, arrange rigatoni noodles. Pour 1 jar Alfredo sauce over top.  Arrange turkey over sauce.  Pour remaining Alfredo sauce over chicken.  Sprinkle chiles over Alfredo sauce.  Sprinkle cheese over top.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.  Makes 8 servings.

 

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Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Spaghetti Salad

1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti

1 cucumber

1 red onion

1 green pepper

1 (12 to 16 ounce) package cherry or grape tomatoes

1 ½ to 2 cups Zesty Italian salad dressing

Prepare spaghetti according to package directions.  Chop cucumber, red onion, and green pepper into bite sized pieces.  

In large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Mix well.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.   

I like to make it the day before so the flavors have plenty of time to blend.

Growing up it seemed that every picnic or dinner we attended during the summer had some form of this recipe there.  You can add pepperoni, salami, cheese, celery, or other vegetables to this simple and delicious salad.

 Check back on Tuesday,

for my Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek! 

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Top 10 Recipes of 2012

 10. Hamburger Cupcakes

 9. Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Barbecue Sandwich

 8. Crazy Crab Dip

 7. Slow Cooker Posole

6. Pecan Pullaparts and Cheesy Pullaparts  

Same basic recipe with different flavors.

5. Chocolate Chip Cheese Spread 

 4. Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken Pasta

 3. Baked Pasta

 

 2. Grilled Cabbage

 1. Caramel Banana Poke Cake

My husband and chief taste tester put together his choice for my Top 10 Recipes of 2012.  The man knows his food, and after all the recipes he has to tested for my cookbooks, it kind of makes him an expert.  

My wonderful husband, Stan, gave his stamp of approval for the 

Top 10 Recipes of 2012.

My new cookbook is available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Tuesday,
for pictures and restaurant picks 
from my Christmas trip to San Francisco! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

I love leftovers!   Aside from the fact that part of the work is done,  you can recreate them and make a whole new dish.  Below are two of my favorite ways to use up that Thanksgiving turkey.

Cranberry Turkey Casserole

Cranberry Turkey or Chicken Casserole

4 cups cooked  bow-tie pasta
2 cups cooked diced turkey or chicken
2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
1 cup dried cranberries, plus extra for garnish
2/3 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, plus extra for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a baking dish, combine all ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.  Mix well.  Bake 30 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with dried cranberries and pine nuts or slivered almonds.

Layered Turkey Enchiladas

Layered Turkey Enchiladas

1 pound cooked turkey or chicken, shredded
2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can Cream of Chicken Soup
6 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium bowl, combine turkey, green chiles, and Cream of Chicken Soup.  Mix well.  In lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup of turkey mixture.  Arrange 3 tortillas over top.  Spread 1/2 of remaining turkey mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over top.  Arrange 3 tortillas over cheese.  Spread remaining turkey mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle 1 cup cheese over top.  Bake 45 minutes or until cheese starts to brown.  Makes 6 servings.

Note:  If you like your enchiladas to be spicy, swap out one or both of the cans of green chile for diced Jalapeno peppers.

Wishing you and your family a 

Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!  

My new cookbook is available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Friday,
for my Pumpkin Cornbread! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

 GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker Green Chile Chicken Pasta

3 to 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chile, drained

In slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, combine all ingredients.  

Mix well.   

Cover.  Cook on low 7 to 8 hours.  Serve over spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

We are big fans of the green chile.  New Mexico is home to the world famous Hatch Green Chile. 

At the end of summer, the air in our town is filled with the delicious aroma of chiles roasting.

  

This recipe is packed with flavor.  Green Chile has all the flavor of chile without the heat.  If you like heat, add a hotter green chile or add chopped jalapeno pepper. 

My new cookbook is available at schools, businesses, hospitals, and book fairs in cities across the United States.  Be sure to pick up a copy or two, when you see them.  They make great gifts!

Check back on Tuesday,
for my Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

 GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Apples & Angel Hair Pasta

Apples & Angel Hair Pasta

1 (1 pound) box angel hair pasta
2/3 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large apples, peeled, cored, diced
1 large tomato, seeded, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Prepare pasta according to package directions.  Drain and place back in the pot it was  boiled in.  In medium skillet, saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown.

Combine all ingredients. Salt to taste. Mix well.  

Serve with fish or chicken.

When I had this meal in Cape Town, South Africa, I knew I was going to recreate it when I got back home.  I love the fresh simple flavors in this dish.  The diced apple is the star of this recipe.  It's sweet and crisp texture is an unexpected surprise.

Bo, of Bo's Bowl, posted my Baked Pasta recipe.  Please stop by and take a look.  His pictures are so much better than mine are!

Check back on Tuesday, for my last post about my trip to 
South Africa and a helpful travel tip!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!