Leftover Thanksgiving turkey gravy, fresh wilted spinach, and diced turkey transform your pasta night into the ultimate comfort food vibe
I love repurposing leftovers to aim for zero food waste in my kitchen, and that means coming up with creative ways to use leftovers in a way that create new and flavorful meals that have the advantage of using some prepared ingredients, without feeling like you’re eating the same boring leftovers. With a little practice, creativity, and pantry items, you can transform your leftovers into a new and delicious meal without a lot of fuss or mess, because you’ve already got some of the ingredients pre-prepped
This pasta dish hits all the marks in that it is quick and easy, uses leftover Thanksgiving gravy and turkey, is packed with phytonutrients by using a whole pound of spinach, plus a cheap and healthy pantry staple – a pound of short pasta
Ingredients For Turkey Gravy Spinach Pasta
- 2 cups turkey gravy
- 2 cups diced cooked turkey
- 1 pound fresh cleaned spinach leaves
- 1 pound short pasta
- Optional: Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning
Tips For Making Turkey Gravy Spinach Pasta
- Have all of your ingredients ready to go – This moves quick
- Use this method: 2:2:1:1, which is 2 cups gravy, 2 cups diced turkey, 1 pound fresh spinach leaves, and 1 pound of your favorite short pasta
- Wilt your spinach in the pasta water before cooking the pasta
- Always salt your pasta water – It flavors the pasta, and in this dish will bring out and preserve the beautiful green color of the spinach
- Use a short pasta to grab up the gravy, turkey, and spinach – Long pastas like spaghetti will leave all of your ingredients on the bottom of the bowl. I like bowtie, rigatoni, orechiette, and penne, but any short pasta will do the job
- Undercook your pasta – Don’t follow the package instructions. There will be carry over cooking after you drain the pasta. Start checking your pasta at 3-4 minutes before whatever the package says – It should have a lot of bite to it, and will continue cooking from the internal heat after draining
- Always save some pasta water when making pasta dishes – This liquid gold is a flavorful addition to any sauce, and can be very useful if your sauce needs thinning out or stretching
- Feel free to jazz up this simple dish with herbs and spices – I’m using Trader Joe’s Umami seasoning which has salt, spice, onion, mustard and dried mushrooms like porcini – A great all in one seasoning to add to your pantry
Instagram Tutorial: How To Use Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy to Transform Your Pasta Night
Recipe: Thanksgiving Turkey Gravy Pasta
Gently Heat 2 Cups Turkey Gravy and 2 Cups Diced Turkey
Meanwhile, Quickly Blanch 1 Pound of Fresh Spinach Leaves in a Pot of Salted Water – Just until it begins to wilt
In the same water, cook your pasta to al dente – start checking the pasta for doneness several minutes before whatever the package says
Add pasta back to pot after draining, and mix in wilted spinach
Add Umami or Other Seasonings of Choice – Taste your pasta at this point and consider any additional seasonings you may like
Plate Pasta, Then Top With Gravy Turkey Mixture – Dig in and Enjoy!
You’ll want to make sure to have leftover gravy to make this again and again!
