Leftovers don’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can transform yesterday’s meal into a quick and delicious dinner. Whether you have extra rice, roasted vegetables, or cooked meat, these easy recipes will save you time and reduce waste. Let’s turn those leftovers into something exciting!
Steps
- Sauté broccoli in a skillet until it’s tender but still crisp.
- Add cooked rice and cheese to the skillet, stirring until the cheese melts and everything is well combined.
- Serve the casserole as a side dish with baked chicken or include it in your holiday spread.
- Combine ground meat with vegetables and whole grains in a mixing bowl.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish.
- Bake until the meatloaf is cooked through, and serve warm.
- Sauté cauliflower until it begins to brown, then add chickpeas and tikka masala sauce.
- Simmer the mixture until the cauliflower is tender and flavors meld together.
- Serve the dish over rice for an easy, flavorful meal.
- Brown ground beef in a pot, then add diced tomatoes and chili spices.
- Let the mixture simmer, allowing the flavors to deepen, and add beans towards the end of cooking.
- Serve topped with red onion, scallions, cheese, and hot sauce.
- Sauté carrots, celery, and onions until soft, then mix with cubed bread and poultry seasoning.
- Pour thickened chicken broth over the bread mixture, then add cooked chicken or turkey.
- Bake until the top is golden, and serve as a comforting meal.
- Cooker Easy Jerk Pork Shoulder
- Season pork shoulder with cinnamon, allspice, and cayenne, then place in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low until the pork is tender and flavorful, then shred the meat.
- Serve with pineapple salsa on buns or nachos for a vibrant dish.
- Layer cooked lasagna noodles with beef, cheese, and tomato sauce in a baking dish.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a cheese layer on top.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown, then let it cool slightly before serving.
- Mix cooked chicken, bell peppers, and pasta with a light sauce.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with cheese before baking until bubbly.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, ideal for gatherings.
- Cooker Vegetable Stew
- Combine potatoes, beans, and tomatoes in a slow cooker, and let it cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Add sautéed zucchini or corn for extra texture before serving.
- Top with pesto and croutons for added flavor.
- Mix tortellini with marinara sauce, mushrooms, and spinach in a baking dish.
- Top with cheese and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Serve alongside broccoli or a green salad for a complete meal.
- Layer tortillas, cooked chicken, and green chile sauce in a baking dish.
- Chill overnight, then bake until heated through.
- Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
- Cooker Vegetable & Tofu Thai Stew
- Add cauliflower, tofu, curry paste, and lemongrass to the slow cooker.
- Let it cook until the cauliflower is tender and flavors are well blended.
- Serve with fresh herbs and a side of rice.
- Combine leftover meatball soup with beans and tomato sauce in a baking dish.
- Layer with tortillas and cheese, then bake until the cheese is melted.
- Serve as a comforting weeknight meal.
- Sauté chicken with spices until cooked through, then add tikka masala sauce.
- Simmer until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens.
- Serve with rice for a quick and delicious meal.
- Rinse rice, then soak in dashi with shiitake mushrooms and vegetables.
- Cook until the rice is tender and infused with flavors.
- Serve as a savory side dish or light meal.
- Cooker Beef Stew
- Combine beef, potatoes, and carrots with broth in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low until the beef is tender and the broth is rich.
- Serve with crusty bread for a hearty meal.
- Noodle Casserole
- Mix cooked chicken, noodles, and light sour cream in a baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbly.
- Serve warm with a side salad.
- Coat beef in spices and place in a pot with onions and paprika sauce.
- Simmer until the beef is tender and sauce thickens.
- Serve over noodles, gnocchi, or spaetzle.
- Layer sliced eggplant, custard mixture, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Serve with a side salad for brunch or dinner.
- Roast tomatillos and blend into a sauce, then pour over rolled chicken-filled tortillas.
- Bake until heated through and the top is slightly bubbly.
- Serve with a variety of toppings for a personalized meal.
- Cooker Middle Eastern Meatballs with Raita
- Combine lamb meatballs with spices and cook in a slow cooker.
- Serve with cucumber raita and whole-wheat couscous.
- Garnish with dill and serve with pita, if desired.
- Pot Coconut Milk Curry with Chickpeas
- Cook sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and vegetables in coconut milk and spices.
- Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the curry is aromatic.
- Serve with rice or rice noodles for a flavorful meal.
- Pot Pineapple Chicken
- Combine chicken with pineapple, ginger, and sesame in a slow cooker.
- Cook until the chicken is tender and infused with flavors.
- Serve with brown rice to soak up the sauce.
- Brown turkey in a pot, then add sweet potatoes and chipotle chiles.
- Simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chili is thick.
- Garnish with avocado, cheese, and scallions before serving.
- Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta
- Cook pasta with chili powder, pico de gallo, and cheese in a single pot.
- Stir until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated.
- Garnish with scallions, cilantro, and sour cream, serving with a salad.
- Sauté chicken, then cover with a lemony cream sauce and a sprinkle of cheese.
- Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden.
- Serve with whole-wheat pasta or brown rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- Fresh broccoli
- Cheese
- Rice
- Baking dish (for serving suggestion)
- Optional: Baked chicken (for serving suggestion)
- Ground meat
- Assorted vegetables
- Whole grains
- Cauliflower
- Chickpeas
- Tikka masala sauce
- Rice (for serving)
- Ground beef
- Diced red onion
- Sliced scallions
- Shredded cheese
- Hot sauce
- Chicken or leftover turkey
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Day-old bread
- Poultry seasoning
- Chicken broth
- Cooker Easy Jerk Pork Shoulder Ingredients
- Pork shoulder
- Cayenne pepper
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Salsa-pineapple topping
- Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
- Ground beef
- Lasagna noodles
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Peppers
- Pasta
- Cooker Vegetable Stew Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Beans
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini (optional)
- Corn kernels (optional)
- Cannellini beans (optional)
- Pesto (optional)
- Garlic croutons (optional)
- Tortellini
- Marinara sauce
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Cheese
- Broccoli or green salad (for serving suggestion)
- Chicken
- Green chilies
- Tortillas
- Cooker Vegetable & Tofu Thai Stew Ingredients
- Cauliflower
- Tofu
- Curry paste
- Lemongrass
- Italian meatballs
- Beans
- Reduced-fat cheese
- Tortillas
- Tomato sauce
- Chicken
- Tikka masala spices
- Dashi
- Rice
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Assorted vegetables
- Cooker Beef Stew Ingredients
- Beef
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Broth
- Noodle Casserole Ingredients
- Chicken
- Noodles
- Light sour cream
- Beef
- Spice mix
- Whole-wheat egg noodles or potato gnocchi/spaetzle (for serving)
- Eggplant
- Summer vegetables
- Fresh herbs
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Tomatillos
- Green enchilada sauce
- Various toppings (optional)
- Cooker Middle Eastern Meatballs with Raita Ingredients
- Lamb meatballs
- Cucumber raita
- Whole-wheat couscous
- Fresh dill sprigs (optional)
- Pita (optional)
- Pot Coconut Milk Curry with Chickpeas Ingredients
- Coconut milk
- Chickpeas
- Sweet potato
- Assorted vegetables
- Rice or rice noodles (for serving)
- Pot Pineapple Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken
- Pineapple
- Ginger
- Sesame
- Brown rice (for serving)
- Turkey
- Sweet potatoes
- Chipotle chiles
- Avocado, cheese, scallion, sour cream (for garnish)
- Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta
- Chili powder
- Pico de gallo
- Mexican cheese
- Optional toppings: Scallions, cilantro, sour cream
- Chicken
- Lemon cream sauce
- Half-and-half
- Whole-wheat pasta or brown rice (for serving)
FAQ
- Are these recipes suitable for meal prepping?
- Yes, these recipes are perfect for meal prepping. They are designed to taste even better as leftovers, making them ideal for preparing in advance and enjoying throughout the week.
- How do you suggest reheating these meals?
- Many of these dishes, particularly those with proteins like beef and chicken, can be easily reheated in the microwave. For casseroles and stews, reheating gently on the stove or in the oven can also help preserve their flavors and textures.
- Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
- Absolutely! These recipes are versatile. For instance, you can substitute turkey for chicken in the Chicken & Stuffing Casserole if you have leftovers from a holiday meal. Feel free to tailor the ingredients to your preferences or dietary needs.
- What are some healthy sides to pair with these dishes?
- Consider pairing these meals with a side of leafy greens or a fresh salad. For example, the Spinach & Mushroom Tortellini Bake can be complemented with a side of steamed broccoli or a small green salad for an additional serving of vegetables.
- Are there vegetarian options included in these recipes?
- Yes, there are vegetarian options such as the Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas and Slow-Cooker Vegetable & Tofu Thai Stew. These dishes are packed with flavor and are satisfying meat-free alternatives.
Tips
- Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole: Use a skillet instead of a baking dish to maintain fresh flavors and avoid mushy textures. This quick-cooking method pairs well with baked chicken for a complete meal in just 30 minutes.
- Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew: Enhance this hearty stew by adding sautéed zucchini or fresh corn just before serving. A dollop of pesto or homemade garlic croutons can elevate the dish to a new level.
- Chicken & Stuffing Casserole: Opt for fresh ingredients instead of boxed stuffing mixes or canned soups. Poultry seasoning and thickened chicken broth will provide a delicious, healthier alternative that’s perfect for year-round enjoyment.
- Japanese Shiitake & Vegetable Rice (Takikomi Gohan): Rinse the rice to remove excess starch for fluffier grains. Soaking the rice in seasoned dashi before cooking will infuse it with deeper flavors, enhancing this savory dish.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker: Required for recipes like Slow-Cooker Easy Jerk Pork Shoulder, Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew, Slow-Cooker Vegetable & Tofu Thai Stew, Slow-Cooker Beef Stew, and Slow-Cooker Middle Eastern Meatballs with Raita.
- Large Skillet: Useful for making dishes like the Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole.
- Food Processor or Blender: Handy for pureeing ingredients in recipes like Chicken & Tomatillo Enchiladas.
- Rice Cooker: Helpful for recipes like Japanese Shiitake & Vegetable Rice (Takikomi Gohan).
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker: Could be used as an alternative to a slow cooker for faster cooking.
- Mandoline Slicer: Useful for finely slicing vegetables for various recipes.
- Baking Dish: Necessary for casseroles and bakes like Easy Lasagna, Spinach & Mushroom Tortellini Bake, and Cheesy Eggplant Casserole.
- Meat Thermometer: Useful for ensuring meat dishes are cooked to the correct temperature.
