Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers into Something to Be Thankful for

The meal you spent weeks planning and preparing for is over. The dinner devoured, the guests gone, the house is re-cleaned and straightened (maybe). You made way too much food, and your fridge is packed with Tupperware.

Or, perhaps, you didn't host, but were sent home with a grocery bag full of plastic won ton soup containers with mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey and cranberry sauce.

Either way, you've just literally had your fill of Thanksgiving dinner, so how to put those leftovers to good use without heating up just another turkey dinner?

Open-faced turkey sandwich - This is a personal favorite from my childhood. We always had open-faced turkey sandwiches, drizzled with gravy. It's so simple and comforting. You can either toast the bread and then assemble the sandwich with turkey and mashed potatoes, or put everything together on a cookie sheet and warm it in the oven. Save the gravy to pour on just before serving.

Stuffed shells - A different take on the typically Italian pasta dinner. Food process turkey and stuffing, then fold in cheeses and mayo. Pour gravy into greased 9 x 13 pan, stuff turkey mixture into cooked shells, and cover with remaining gravy and shredded mozzarella. Bake 45 minutes, until brown and bubbly.

Shepherd's pie - This Thanksgiving redux can be made into one pie-sized dinner, or individually-sized ones. In your pan or pans, layer stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey and carrots. Drizzle with gravy, then spread potatoes over the entire pie. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until heated throughout and potatoes are golden brown.

Thanksgiving casserole - A great use for all your Thanksgiving leftovers: turkey, stuffing, gravy, green beans. Layer your leftovers in a glass baking dish, then smother with gravy or cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs, then season with salt and pepper.Bake 40 minutes at 350 until bubbly.

Thanksgiving stromboli - Make a great snack or appetizer with your turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce by wrapping them all up in refrigerated pizza dough. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes, and serve alongside hot gravy.

What size turkey will you be cooking? How much do you expect to have leftover after Thanksgiving dinner? Tell us below.