10 Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

The dishwasher is humming. Half the family is napping. And all the leftovers are stored in the fridge.

Odds are good that most of the family will simply want a turkey sandwich - and maybe some potato chips - for a late-night supper. But what about tomorrow? And the next day?

Before you pack yet another turkey sandwich in your child's lunchbox, try some of these ideas for turning your leftovers into brand new meals:

Chef Salad: After a heavy Thanksgiving meal, many folks want to snack on lighter fare the next day. (Especially dieters who hope to avoid holiday weight gain!) Make a big green salad with plenty of fresh vegetables, like tomatoes, onions, peppers, celery and carrots. Top with cubed or sliced leftover turkey for a healthy and light meal.

Turkey Salad Sandwich: Forget about throwing a few slices of turkey on some white bread. Mince some leftover meat and mix with mayo, diced onion, diced celery and a little Dijon mustard. It's not chicken salad - it's turkey salad! For sandwich lovers, it's a nice change from the typical turkey sandwich.

Turkey Lasagna: Many people want something completely different after Thanksgiving - like Italian food! And lasagna doesn't have to be made with ground meat. Just follow your normal lasagna recipe, but add cubed leftover turkey to the sauce right before you layer the casserole. The sauce will keep it from becoming dry, and you'll get a taste of Italy for dinner!

Turkey Stir-Fry: If Italian food doesn't appeal to your family, how about a taste of Asia? Simply stir-fry vegetables like broccoli and snow peas in a non-stick skillet or wok. At the last minute, toss in some sliced turkey and stir-fry until heated. Sprinkle a little soy sauce in the mix, and serve over steamed white rice.

Turkey Fajitas: Mix some sliced turkey with some fajita seasoning (available in packets at your local supermarket). Fry up a few onions and green peppers in a skillet, then toss in the seasoned turkey and cook until heated. Wrap up the ingredients in a flour tortilla for quick and easy turkey fajitas.

Turkey Mac & Cheese: Ever mixed a can of tuna with a box of mac & cheese? You can do the same with diced or shredded turkey! Just mix up the mac & cheese as usual, and add the turkey at the end of the cooking time. This kid-friendly dish is sure to please even the pickiest eater, even children who are tired of Thanksgiving leftovers.

And what should you do with the rest of the leftovers?

Rolls/bread: Freeze leftover bread to use later for breadcrumbs, croutons or stuffing.

Veggies: Basic Thanksgiving vegetables like green beans, peas and corn can be added to vegetable soup or stew. They can also be added to casseroles (like the Turkey Mac & Cheese).

Stuffing: Soak with gravy and add as a middle layer to turkey sandwiches (similar to the "Moist Maker" from an episode of Friends).

Mashed potatoes: Spread them as a topping for casseroles like potpie and Shepherd's Pie. Shape leftover potatoes into patties and fry for breakfast.