It’s Holiday Season.

The days are short and cold.

If you are anything like me you are doing your shopping two days before Christmas (in my defense my kids so looking for their things so this is the only way to not spoil it)

Easy but satisfying meals are a must.

Preferably low cost as well to pad the Christmas gift fund.

Meals using up and repurposing leftovers can save your budget and your sanity.

Repurposing is key. Because while a turkey dinner is amazing…eating it three nights in a row is not as exciting.

Yesterday I cooked a turkey for lunch and some Italian sausages for dinner.

Today they were used in an almost effortless turkey and sausage rigatoni.

Here’s how to make it.

You will need two pans. One to make your pasta in one to heat up your meat.

Pick your pasta of choice and cook according to package instructions.

While your pasta is boiling it is time to.warm up your meat.

My Italian sausages were links so I sliced into small circles and tossed in pan first. I did not add any oil or butter because the sausages release some grease when they warm, but you can if you prefer or used a leaner sausage.

To the sausage I tossed in my leftover turkey. Make sure its shredded or in easy to bite pieces.

Pro tip if you store your leftovers turkey with some of the liquid it releases while it cooks you will get something that looks like jelly. Add that to the pan when you reheat it for better flavor and to prevent it from drying out.

Once your pasta is cooked drain most of the water but leave enough to splash a little into the pan with the meat. Add butter. My children like their pasta drowning in butter but it’s entirely up to you how much or how little butter you add… you could even skip this if you prefer.

My children are divided on how they like their meals… sauce or not sauce… so I do not combine everything. If you don’t have to adjust for that you can combine everything. I serve it deconstructed so everyone can have what they would like.

This meal goes well with any red sauce you like. You could also serve with white sauce.

If you want a very flavor packed thick sauce try pizza sauce instead of marinara. It also appeals to kids who like pizza but are unsure of red sauce on pasta. Think of it as a bridge between what they know.

Here is what the finished product will look like:

Enjoy!