This was how my kitchen counter looked Thanksgiving morning! I should have started my rolls even earlier, because they were just barely done before we left the house. I'm thinking next year... I'll make them the day before. :)

The next day, we had a few more pumpkin rolls (warmed, with butter -- so delicious!!) and I made a simple lunch using leftovers in my fridge.

The leftovers I had were: some egg noodles, a small amount of diced cooked chicken, and a couple kinds of cooked vegetables. I made a white gravy (half milk, half water, with some flour to thicken) and seasoned it with onion, garlic, pepper, salt, and parsley. I mixed everything together and it was basically like chicken gravy with egg noodles. ;) Pretty good, though, and definitely better than trying to re-warm everything separately! :)

Today was one of those do-only-what-you-absolutely-must sort of days.

Lunch? Leftover pasta tossed with leftover spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. (Yes, that's what's in the picture!) Dinner? Eggs and toast.

Yesterday I tripped over a shoe, and managed to stub my toe... badly. It hurt, but stubbed toes always hurt. A few hours later, when it really started hurting (and swelling!) I decided maybe I should ice it. Well, it still hurts. I can't walk very well, but, I think it's improving.

And my very sweet husband went to the grocery store for me today, since I had been putting it off and really really needed to go. I don't like going grocery shopping, but honestly, I would never stub my toe this badly, just to get out of having to go!!

So maybe by tomorrow I'll feel a little better and get that post written... the one that's been on my mind for a couple weeks now... :)

Tonight's dinner was a combination of several leftovers from my fridge. :)

Using a greased 1.5-quart casserole dish, I layered yellow rice in the bottom, and sprinkled several kinds of leftover vegetables (drained, of course) followed by some diced chicken meat.

I got out some leftover chicken broth, and used flour and milk to thicken it into a fairly thick gravy. I poured the gravy over the casserole and baked it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

It was really good! :) Only now, we have leftover leftover-casserole. So tomorrow's lunch will be... leftovers again! :)

Please note: This page will be updated as recipes are added. Not all recipes will taste quite the same when made with leftover ingredients, but if you do have leftovers, using them for a new dish can add some variety. See Leftover Guidelines listed at bottom.

If you have leftover chicken, consider making:

Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli
Chicken Gravy over Egg Noodles
Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Alfredo over Pasta
Mandarin Chicken Salad
Chicken Gravy & Drop Biscuits
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Chicken Potpie
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
White Chili
Grilled Chicken Salad
Grilled Chicken Fajitas
Easy Chicken Veggie Appetizer 
Sunshine Casserole 
Best Chicken Pot Pie 
Saucy Chicken Broccoli Bake

If you have leftover ground beef, consider making:

Chili
Taco Salad
Incredibly Easy Taco Pie
Stuffed Shells
Beef and Tomato Macaroni
Pastitsio
Cheesy Pasta Dinner
Baked Nachos 
Easy Cabbage Casserole 
Baked Soft Tacos 
Homemade Lasagna 
Authentic Spanish Rice with Beans

If you have leftover steak, consider making: 

Spicy Sweet Pepper Steak over Noodles
Spicy Grilled Steak Stir Fry
Beef Vegetable Soup 
Easy Beef Pepper Steak with Rice 
Sweet Beef Vegetable Stir Fry 
Easy Steak and Egg Omelette 
Fajita Salad
Easy Beef Stroganoff
Philly Cheese Steak Wraps

If you have leftover bread, consider making:

Homemade Chicken Stuffing Mix
Asparagus Cheese Strata
Grilled Cheese Loaf 
Homemade Croutons

If you have leftover egg noodles, consider making:

Garlic Parmesan Egg Noodles
Chicken Gravy over Egg Noodles
Bonnie's Tuna Noodle Casserole

If you have leftover rice, consider making:

A beef or chicken stir fry over rice (various ones can be found in the beef or chicken sections)
Simple Fried Rice
Chicken Fried Rice

 

If you have leftover...

Guidelines for using leftover meats in new dishes:

Grilled meats can be sliced thinly and work well for stir-frys, salads, or fajitas.

Roasted/baked meats can be cubed and used in casseroles.

Seasoned meats can be used in appropriate dishes (e.g. leftover taco meat makes great chili!).