After Thanksgiving, I’m usually ready to make the leftovers feel less like repeats. These eight Publix staples help turn what remains of the holiday feast into satisfying dinners for the days ahead.
Prices were checked at a Publix in Atlanta on November 14; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Italian Pizza Dough – $3.39
Pizza night gives turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cheese a much livelier second act. This refrigerated dough serves about 10 and turns the whole assortment into an easy family dinner.
Taste: The crust has a pleasant saltiness with just a hint of sweetness. Baking gives it a crisp exterior and a chewy center sturdy enough for substantial holiday toppings.
Make It Better: Let the dough come to room temperature before shaping, then prebake the crust so mashed potatoes and gravy do not leave the middle soggy.
Parting Thoughts: At $3.39, it is a worthwhile pick for families tired of reheating separate plates.
2. Pillsbury Premade Refrigerated Pie Crusts
A bubbling turkey pot pie feels like a new dinner, even when its filling is yesterday’s turkey, vegetables, gravy, and mashed potatoes. The 14.1-ounce package contains two refrigerated, ready-to-unroll crusts, making either a single- or double-crust version practical.
Taste: The pastry bakes into flaky layers with a homemade-like character. Its mild flavor lets the savory filling stay at the center of the meal.
Make It Better: Use mashed potatoes to thicken a loose filling, and cut a few vents in the top crust before baking.
Parting Thoughts: Pot-pie lovers will appreciate how little pastry work stands between them and a cozy dinner.
3. Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls
Flaky stuffed crescents are my answer when everyone wants a different combination of leftovers. Fill the eight refrigerated pieces with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce, then bake them for a casual hand-held dinner.
Taste: The dough has a familiar buttery flavor and a light, flaky texture. Rich fillings work best in modest amounts so the pastry can still puff and brown.
Make It Better: Chop the turkey and keep each portion compact; overfilling makes the crescents harder to close.
Parting Thoughts: For a snacky dinner eaten around the kitchen counter, these make leftovers genuinely fun again.
4. College Inn Natural Chicken Broth
When the holiday meal has left more turkey than gravy, this 32-ounce shelf-stable broth supplies the foundation for soup, pot-pie filling, or a casserole. It is especially useful for stretching a smaller amount of meat and vegetables into dinner.
Taste: Classic chicken flavor is rounded out with vegetable and herb notes. The broth keeps the result savory and spoonable instead of adding the richness of a cream-based sauce.
Make It Better: Simmer it with the turkey bones first for a richer stock, then add the leftover meat near the end so it does not become overcooked.
Parting Thoughts: Keep this one in mind when a warm bowl of soup sounds better than another loaded plate.
5. Deli Style Sub Rolls 2 Ct
Two substantial sandwiches can rescue a quiet post-holiday evening with almost no fuss. These 10-ounce packaged rolls are soft yet sturdy enough for turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, or cheese.
Taste: The rolls have a mild, nuanced bread flavor that does not compete with strongly seasoned leftovers. Their soft interior and sturdy structure help contain generous fillings without turning the sandwich cumbersome.
Make It Better: Spread cranberry sauce in a thin layer and place stuffing between the turkey slices so every bite gets a little of each.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone craving simplicity over another cooking project should be glad to have these on hand.
6. Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas
Taco night is a welcome reset after several days of traditional holiday flavors. The 20 shelf-stable tortillas can carry turkey and cheese as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or burritos, with salsa steering dinner in a different direction.
Taste: The tortillas bring a gently baked flavor and a notably soft texture. They bend easily around chopped turkey and other fillings rather than overwhelming them with bread.
Make It Better: Cut the turkey into small pieces for even distribution, then add salsa to brighten leftovers that have begun to taste heavy.
Parting Thoughts: This versatile package earns its space when the household cannot agree on just one leftover dinner.
7. Mueller’s Egg Noodles, Wide – $3.09
Wide egg noodles turn leftover turkey into the kind of comforting stovetop meal that works on a chilly weeknight. Use the 12-ounce package for turkey noodle soup, tetrazzini, or a creamy casserole; the $3.09 pasta was offered Buy 1 Get 1 Free through 11/17 at the store checked, though weekly offers can differ.
Taste: These have the classic flavor of an American egg noodle and a satisfyingly substantial bite. Their texture holds up well in broth or sauce without readily falling apart.
Make It Better: Cook the noodles al dente before combining them with turkey and vegetables, especially if the dish will continue cooking in sauce.
Parting Thoughts: Few options here feel cozier, particularly for cooks who want one pot to feed the table.
8. Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup – $4.99
Creamy casserole duty is where this four-can package proves most useful, binding turkey, vegetables, stuffing, or noodles into a cohesive dinner. It was marked down from $5.29 to $4.99 when checked, with a 30-cent savings offer running through 11/17.
Taste: The condensed soup has a rich mushroom flavor and a smooth, creamy consistency. It creates a full-bodied sauce, so cooks who prefer lighter casseroles may want to use it sparingly.
Make It Better: Loosen the condensed soup with broth before folding it into turkey and vegetables, adjusting the amount until the filling is creamy rather than heavy.
Parting Thoughts: Worth grabbing for classic comfort-food households, but lighter-dinner devotees may prefer the broth route.
