Turkey Leftovers Made OVER!

Today, I'm thankful for leftovers because they make tasty meals as is, and when you get tired of eating them that way, they can be made into other dishes!

Yeah, I should be watching what I'm eating because I have that constant struggle with weight issues, but come on.  Sometimes (especially around the holidays) you just eat the good stuff and deal with the excess hiney (okay, and thighs, and belly, and flabby arms - argh!) at a later date.  Anyway, my Momma and Dad used to make sure we ate everything and wasted very little because there were starving kids somewhere in Africa and it would be sinful to waste while they were wasting away.  I think I took that too seriously because I have ALWAYS cleaned my plate.  Just ask my butt!  

We had a bunch of leftovers from the Senior Luncheon Thursday including the stuffing and turkey.  I found a super-duper yummy recipe that sounds kinda wacky and weird, but my husband just told me for the FIFTH time (no lie) that it was truly a fabulous dinner I made tonight.  I have to take this recipe and give it five stars.  Want it?  =)  Here it is!

Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Shells


1-12 oz. box jumbo pasta shells

2 c. cubed cooked turkey

1-1/2 c. stuffing

1-4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1/3 c. sour cream*

4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1-1/2 c. turkey gravy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13" pan.  Cook pasta al dente (approximately 13 minutes).  Place turkey and stuffing in a food processor and pulse until finely ground and combined.  Mix with cream cheese, Parmesan, sour cream* and 2 cups mozzarella until well blended (you can do this with a paddle in the food processor or by hand).  

Spread 1/2 c. gravy on the bottom of 9x13" pan.  Stuff pasta shells and place in pan.  Top with remaining gravy and 2 cups mozzarella.

Bake, covered, for 45 minutes.  Uncover and cook for an additional 10 minutes until top is browned and bubbly.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.  

Note:  a 6 oz. package of stuffing can be used instead of leftover stuffing and 1 can of cream of chicken soup can be used in place of the leftover gravy.  

* original recipe called for mayonnaise, but I don't like that flavor in casseroles so I substituted sour cream and it was delish!

Enjoy all the wonderful holiday leftovers!  =)