Sure, the Thanksgiving feast is the main event, but leftovers are the real star of the holiday in my world. So many tasty sides, so many possibilities. This year, try out a completely new way to reinvent your leftovers by making Thanksgiving leftover "cupcakes." We're using up the stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey, and more to make the most of your Thanksgiving day spread.
The only real effort required here (aside from heating up your pre-made dishes) is making stuffin' muffins with leftover stuffing, heavy cream, and eggs. I know what you're thinking: "Do I have to get back in the kitchen already?", but this seamless step will totally refresh your dried-out stuffing and give it an adorable new appeal.
Take these mini meals in any direction you wish — the goal is to clear out the fridge while combining the tastes of all your favorite fall foods. Think of this as the full bite of Thanksgiving flavor you try to pile up on your fork at the table, but way more fun. Let the kids pipe on the mashed potato "frosting" or decorate with parsley "sprinkles." Thanksgiving take two has never looked cuter.
How to Make Savory Thanksgiving Leftover Cupcakes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups leftover stuffing or dressing
- ¼ cup leftover cranberry sauce
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- ½ cup leftover gravy
- Leftover turkey, thickly sliced
- Parsley, chopped
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, and salt and pepper. Stir in leftover stuffing until well combined. Set aside for 20 minutes.
- Scoop portions of the stuffing mixture into the muffin tin using a cookie scoop; bake for 15 minutes and allow to cool. In the meantime, reheat leftover mashed potatoes, gravy, and turkey slices.
- Using a small knife or melon baller, cut a small hole out of the top of each cupcake and set aside. Drop a teaspoon of cranberry sauce into each hole and top with the cut section.
- Transfer mashed potatoes to a piping bag and pipe onto the top of each cupcake. Stick two (1-inch) slices of turkey into the top of each cupcake. Drizzle gravy overtop, and garnish with chopped parsley.