17 ways to turn your post-holiday fridge into a gold mine

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Make your Christmas dinner remnants the star ingredients in meals so good, you’ll forget they’re leftovers. We’ve got 17 mind-blowing recipes that’ll have you looking at that container of mashed potatoes like it’s liquid gold.

Close-up of a baked dish with cheese, mushrooms, broccoli, and herbs in a creamy sauce.
Turkey Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn Christmas ham into a rich, creamy soup that feeds the whole family. The slow cooker blends the flavors while you rest and enjoy the post-holiday quiet.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Shepherd’s Pie with Turkey

A casserole dish filled with baked shepherd's pie, topped with mashed potatoes and sprinkled with black pepper. The dish has a floral pattern on the side.
Shepherd’s Pie with Turkey. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Layer Christmas turkey and leftover mashed potatoes into a cozy casserole. This comfort food classic transforms holiday extras into a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie with Turkey

Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup

Bowl of creamy turkey and wild rice soup with herbs on a wooden board and a striped cloth napkin.
Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Put your Christmas turkey meat to work in this warming soup. The slow cooker transforms your holiday scraps into a rich broth while you relax after the big celebration.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Rice Soup

Ham and Cheese Muffins

Ham and cheese muffins on a wooden table with one cut in half.
Ham and Cheese Muffins. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mix Christmas ham into savory muffins for breakfast or snacks. These portable bites give holiday leftovers new purpose in a totally different form.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Muffins

Turkey a la King

A creamy dish with turkey, mushrooms, peas, and carrots in a slow cooker.
Turkey a la King. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Your Christmas turkey shines again in this creamy sauce over rice or noodles. The slow cooker helps make the meat tender for a completely new take on holiday leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Turkey a la King

Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Slice of ham steak with pineapples on top on a plate with asparagus.
Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Give Christmas ham new life with a sweet brown sugar glaze in your air fryer. The caramelized pineapple adds tropical flavor to transform your holiday leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ham Steak with Pineapple

Turkey Tetrazzini

Turkey Tetrazzini. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mix your Christmas turkey with pasta, mushrooms, and peas in a creamy sauce. The crunchy breadcrumb topping makes this casserole taste like a completely fresh meal.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

Turkey Broccoli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with cheese, mushrooms, broccoli, and herbs in a creamy sauce.
Turkey Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mix your Christmas turkey with fresh broccoli and cheese sauce for a new meal. This casserole transforms your leftovers into a deliciously different dinner your family will love.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Broccoli Casserole

Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry turkey sliders on a plate next to a jar of cranberry sauce.
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Stack Christmas turkey, ham, and cranberry sauce on small rolls for easy snacking. These mini sandwiches make holiday leftovers fun to eat again for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sliders with Cranberry Sauce

Buffalo Turkey Quesadillas

Quesadilla slices with melted cheese and vegetables on a cooling rack, garnished with chopped green onions.
Buffalo Turkey Quesadillas. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn your Christmas turkey into cheesy quesadillas with a spicy kick. These quesadillas give your holiday leftovers new life with melted cheese and buffalo sauce.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Quesadillas

Ham and Cheese Pizza Rolls

Plate of ham and cheese pizza rolls.
Ham and Cheese Pizza Rolls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Roll Christmas ham and cheese into bite-sized bundles everyone will grab. These handheld treats make holiday leftovers perfect for snacking any time of day.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Pizza Rolls

Instant Pot Turkey Corn Chowder

Bowl of turkey and corn chowder with bacon from the top.
Instant Pot Turkey Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn Christmas turkey into a rich, creamy soup your family will love. The sweet corn adds fresh flavor that makes your leftovers taste like a brand new meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Corn Chowder

Leftover Turkey Pizza

A pizza with spinach and turkey on a wooden board.
Leftover Turkey Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Give your Christmas turkey a new spin by adding it to pizza with bacon, spinach, and peppers. The premade dough makes this dinner quick to put together for a fresh take on leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Pizza

Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese

Air fryer ham and cheese sandwich on a blue tablecloth.
Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make your Christmas ham into hot sandwiches with melted cheese for an easy meal. The air fryer gives the bread a nice crunch while warming the leftover ham.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese

Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

Close-up of a pot pie with a flaky golden crust, partially eaten to reveal vegetables like corn, peas, and carrots. A fork rests inside the dish.
Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cover your Christmas turkey and vegetables with flaky pastry for a cozy meal. This pot pie transforms holiday leftovers into a comforting dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

Stuffed Ham and Cheese Biscuits

Ham and cheese biscuits cut in half with mustard dipping sauce.
Stuffed Ham and Cheese Biscuits. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Wrap Christmas ham and cheese in flaky biscuits for a quick meal. The air fryer makes these bundles golden brown and piping hot in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Ham and Cheese Biscuits

Instant Pot Turkey Soup with Rice

Bowl of turkey soup with rice and carrots.
Instant Pot Turkey Soup with Rice. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn Christmas dinner scraps into a fresh soup in your pressure cooker. The quick cooking helps blend all the leftover flavors into a brand new dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Soup with Rice

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