4 Ways Michiganders Can Spice Up Their Thanksgiving Leftovers

Before you know it, you're going to have eaten your fill at the Thanksgiving feast and has plenty leftover to make a plate to take home. Don't let those tasty scraps go to waste! Instead, turn those leftovers into another delicious dinner.

Read More: America's Top 5 Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

Sure, anyone can make a plate and throw it in the microwave, there's no knocking that. However, there are a few simple things you can make with those leftovers instead, all with a Michigan twist.

4 Ways to Spice Up Thanksgiving Leftovers

Here are four ways you can customize those Thanksgiving leftovers to make a whole new meal.

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Before we dive in, let's take a look at some of the most common dishes we'll have leftovers of: turkey, stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and mac & cheese.

1. Turkey Pasties

Pasties are a Michigan, and Yooper especially, favorite. You can't take a trip "up north" without seeing a sign for pasties about every 10 miles or so. Thanksgiving leftovers are perfect for a pasty. Shred the turkey and mix that with mashed potatoes and stuffing, wrap that into a pie crust (store bought, or fresh made if you're feeling frisky), and bake until golden brown. Serve it up with gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping.

2. Mitten-style Monte Cristo

I love a sweet and savory combo! And with some leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and brie or gouda from the charcuterie board, you're part of the way to a Monte Cristo. Slap those ingredients between some bread, egg batter it, and then fry it up.

3. Casserole Surprise

Grab your leftovers, a casserole dish, some shredded cheese, and start layering... mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, green bean casserole, and then repeat. And top it all off with some shredded cheese. The surprise is that you had no idea leftovers could be so good.

4. Cranberry Turkey Sliders

This recipe puts the leftover dinner rolls to use. Slice those bad boys in half, layer the, with turkey, cheese, and some gravy. Then just pop them in the oven for maybe ten minutes, and you've got a fun, bite-sized dinner.