The day after a big holiday meal, I have no desire to cook. I'm too tired from preparing a big meal the day before and navigating the food and fun the holidays bring. Regardless, I want something quick and easy. And if it happens to contain food from the day before, well that's just even better.
Believe it or not, about 40 percent of all food we produce ends up in the trash. That's a waste of groceries—and just think of what you could have done with that money! This year, get creative with these three simple and ridiculously delicious recipes!
1. Leftover Turkey Cranberry Sliders
There's nothing easier than piling up yesterday's leftovers atop a delicious dinner roll and having a meal ready in just a few minutes. Even better, this leftover combination contains an abundance of essential nutrients, such as lean protein from the leftover turkey or ham, calcium from creamy goat cheese, and ample vitamin C from the cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- Dinner roll, 4
- Turkey breast, 12 slices
- Goat cheese, 3/4 cup
- Cranberry sauce, 1/4 cup
- Stuffing, 1 cup
Directions
- Slice the dinner rolls in half.
- Add 2-3 slices of turkey to one half of the roll.
- In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese and cranberry sauce. Spread the mixture on the other half of the roll.
- Top it with stuffing, place the two halves of the roll together, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Recipe yields 4 servings
- Calories: 441
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbs: 34 g
- Protein: 38 g
Put the extra puree you purchased for pies and treats to good use by incorporating it into your breakfast the next few mornings! Beyond mouthwatering taste and stick-to-your-ribs goodness, you'll receive a bounty of essential nutrients, such as vitamins A, B-6, and C, and a heaping helping of fiber. If you're watching your sugar intake, use an artificial sweetener in place of brown sugar.
What're you waiting for? Dig in!
2. Holiday Leftover Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- Plain low-fat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup
- Low-fat milk, 1 cup
- Pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup
- Oats, 1/2 cup
- Brown sugar, 1/4 cup
- Chia seeds, 4 tsp
- Pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp
Directions
- Combine the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Divvy up the oats into two smaller containers, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Recipe yields 2 servings
- Calories: 541
- Fat: 9 g
- Carbs: 89 g
- Protein: 26 g
3. Holiday Leftover Pizza
Nothing says comfort food like pizza. But when you combine the comfort food from this past holiday and put in on a delicious crust, you take this dish to a whole new level of flavor and comfort.
Even better, this pizza is filled with physique friendly whole grains and lean protein, each of which will keep your energy and appetite in check for the hours to come. Top it with creamy, calcium-rich goat cheese, and you have a pizza to die for. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Whole-wheat premade pizza crust, 1 large
- Cranberry sauce, 3/4 cup
- Gravy, 3/4 cup
- Brussel sprouts, roasted and halved, 10
- Turkey breast, chopped, 10 slices
- Goat cheese, 1/2 cup
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Spread cranberry sauce evenly across the crust. Then, spread the gravy evenly across the crust.
- Add Brussel sprouts, turkey, and cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes (or follow the crust instructions) until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Recipe yields 8 servings
- Calories: 344
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbs: 36 g
- Protein: 23 g