It is the time of year when we roast a turkey one day and then deal with leftovers for several more days. The good news is that there are so many interesting ways to make some great dishes with the leftover turkey.  By and large, you can pretty much substitute turkey for any of your favorite chicken recipes.  So bring on the turkey salad wraps, turkey enchiladas, or turkey noodle soups!  It will all be good!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes for incorporating leftover turkey and sharing with a larger crowd (since many of us will still have family visiting).

Turkey Tetrazzini   

8 oz. Spaghetti, cooked and drained
2 T. melted butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ can milk
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
4 oz. can mushrooms and liquid
2 T. pimento, chopped
3 t. minced parsley
¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients. Bake in buttered casserole at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Turkey and Wild Rice Casserole              

1 (6.2 ounce) package fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix
1/8 cup butter or margarine
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 ½ cups chopped cooked turkey
2 cups (1/2 lb) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
½ cup milk
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ cup soft bread crumbs (homemade with 3 slices of white bread)
1 ounce package sliced almonds, toasted

Prepare rice mix according to package directions.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add celery and onions. Saute 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in water chestnuts, rice, turkey, 1 ½ cups cheese, and next 5 ingredients.

Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 12 inch glass Pyrex baking dish. Top casserole with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese and almonds; bake 5 more minutes. Yield: 5 to 6 servings

I plan on experimenting this year with a turkey shepherds pie.  Green peas or green beans and chopped turkey in a gravy sauce on the bottom of a casserole covered by a layer of mashed potatoes.  Maybe even a drizzle of cranberry sauce over the top!  Yum!  A one pot meal that pretty much just needs combining and heating, which leaves more time to enjoy family and friends…what could be better?!?