14 Simple and Inventive Recipes for Leftover Stuffing

Does leftover stuffing really exist? Absolutely! Despite being a Thanksgiving essential, sometimes you end up with a bit too much. And after a few reheats, even the tastiest stuffing can lose its charm. Luckily, we’ve got creative leftover stuffing recipes to keep things exciting. From savory meatloaf to juicy meatballs, it's time to transform those leftovers into something fresh.

Storing Leftover Stuffing the Right Way

1. Stuffing Meatloaf with Marmalade Glaze and Arugula Salad

This creative recipe transforms leftover stuffing from a side dish into the star of the meal, while also slashing the time it takes to prepare a meatloaf. For a fun twist, swap out the orange marmalade glaze for cranberry sauce to use up even more Thanksgiving leftovers.

2. Turkey Lasagna Rolls

This inventive recipe brings a taste of Italy to your Thanksgiving leftovers. Spread your stuffing—and any other leftover goodies—on partially cooked lasagna noodles, layer them up, roll, and bake for a creative leftover dish everyone will rave about.

3. Leftover Stuffing Waffles

If your waffle iron has been collecting dust, this leftover stuffing recipe will change that. Two Red Bowls shows you how to turn your stuffing into a crispy, golden waffle, then top it off with leftover cranberry sauce for a tangy and sweet twist.

4. Leftover Turkey Dressing Meatball

A Zesty Bite discovered a new way to wave goodbye to the usual post-Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches and say hello to turkey dressing meatballs. These delicious bites are a perfect option, especially if you like to include Italian sausage in your Thanksgiving stuffing.

5. Leftover Stuffing Muffins

These adaptable leftover stuffing muffins are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a side dish. Plus, they help you make use of extra Thanksgiving turkey while sneaking in some healthy greens. For a lighter version, swap the tablespoon of cream or whole milk with nonfat milk or plain nonfat yogurt.

6. Leftover Stuffing Balls

It doesn’t get much easier than a two-ingredient recipe, and Food.com delivers just that! While many stuffing ball recipes call for deep-frying, this one opts for the oven and also makes use of any leftover vegetables you might have on hand.

7. Stuffing Hash

Got a spare sweet potato? With that, some eggs, leftover stuffing, shredded potatoes, and seasonings, you can whip up this flavorful weekend morning dish, thanks to Girl in the Little Red Kitchen.

8. Thanksgiving Poutine

Poutine is the ultimate indulgence—crispy French fries, melty cheese curds, and rich gravy—a dish so delightful that even typically modest Canadians can’t help but enjoy it. This version from I Am a Food Blog creatively incorporates Thanksgiving leftovers, with stuffing as a star ingredient. It’s the perfect dish to enjoy during a day-after-Thanksgiving movie marathon on the couch.

9. Acorn Squash Stuffing

Taste of Home discovered the perfect way to fill acorn squash halves with a generous portion of your beloved Thanksgiving side dish. Add a sprinkle of shaved parmesan and a dash of smoked paprika to these seasonal side dishes for a tasty way to enjoy your veggies.

10. Breakfast Strata

Who wants to be a short-order cook the morning after preparing an epic Thanksgiving meal? No one, according to Helpful Homemade. They’ve created a simple leftover stuffing recipe that can easily feed a crowd. With the addition of eggs and cheese, it transforms into a rich, savory bread pudding.

11. Leftover Stuffing Casserole

Brooklyn Farm Girl makes the most of leftover stuffing and fresh or leftover vegetables in this super-easy casserole. If you’re not a fan of broccoli, feel free to swap it out with green beans, spinach, chard, or kale.

12. Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites

Just try to resist eating more than one of these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside, bacon-wrapped treats. (We’re betting you won’t be able to.) For an extra level of indulgence, Who Needs a Cape suggests pairing them with a dip made from leftover cranberry sauce blended with whipped cream.

13. Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup

The real standout of this soup recipe from Katie's Cucina is its homemade turkey stock, which will have you never considering tossing out a turkey carcass again. However, if you're dealing with post-Thanksgiving fatigue or just need a meal in a rush, using a premium store-bought turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth is perfectly acceptable.

14. Savory Stuffing Cakes

When you've got amazing stuffing, there's no need to overcomplicate things, and this recipe from Whole Foods shows just that. Simply add a beaten egg to bind the savory stuffing together into patties, and then pan-fry them in butter until they're golden and crispy on the outside.