Transform your everyday leftovers into delicious new meals with these simple recipes. Here’s a list of ideas to help you make the most out of common household leftovers.
1. Leftover Chicken
- Chicken Quesadillas: Shred leftover chicken and mix with cheese. Place between tortillas and cook until golden brown.
- Chicken Salad: Combine shredded chicken with mayonnaise, celery, grapes, and nuts for a quick and tasty chicken salad.
- Chicken Fried Rice: Sauté leftover chicken with cooked rice, vegetables, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs for a quick fried rice.
2. Leftover Vegetables
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: Sauté mixed vegetables with garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.
- Vegetable Soup: Combine leftover vegetables with broth, beans, and pasta or rice for a hearty soup.
- Veggie Omelette: Add chopped leftover vegetables to beaten eggs and cook for a quick omelette.
3. Leftover Rice
- Fried Rice: Sauté rice with vegetables, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs.
- Rice Pudding: Mix leftover rice with milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until creamy and serve as a dessert.
- Stuffed Peppers: Mix rice with ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese. Stuff into bell peppers and bake until tender.
4. Leftover Bread
- Bread Pudding: Tear bread into pieces and mix with eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Bake until set.
- Croutons: Cube bread, toss with olive oil and seasonings, and bake until crispy.
- French Toast: Dip slices of bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, then cook on a griddle.
5. Leftover Pasta
- Pasta Salad: Toss cooked pasta with vegetables, cheese, and a simple vinaigrette.
- Pasta Frittata: Mix pasta with beaten eggs, cheese, and vegetables. Cook until set and golden brown.
- Baked Pasta: Combine leftover pasta with marinara sauce and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.
6. Leftover Potatoes
- Potato Hash: Sauté chopped potatoes with onions, bell peppers, and leftover meat.
- Mashed Potato Cakes: Mix mashed potatoes with an egg, form into patties, and fry until golden brown.
- Potato Soup: Blend leftover mashed potatoes with broth, milk, and seasonings for a creamy soup.
7. Leftover Meat
- Shepherd’s Pie: Layer leftover meat with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Bake until golden.
- Tacos: Shred or chop meat and serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
- Meat Sandwiches: Slice leftover meat thinly and serve on bread with condiments and vegetables.
8. Leftover Fish
- Fish Tacos: Flake fish and serve in tortillas with slaw and a squeeze of lime.
- Fish Cakes: Mix flaked fish with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Form into patties and fry until golden.
- Fish Salad: Combine flaked fish with mayonnaise, celery, and dill for a quick fish salad.
9. Leftover Fruit
- Smoothies: Blend leftover fruit with yogurt or milk for a refreshing smoothie.
- Fruit Salad: Chop fruit and mix with a splash of lemon juice and a drizzle of honey.
- Fruit Muffins: Fold chopped fruit into muffin batter for a delicious breakfast treat.
10. Leftover Beans and Legumes
- Bean Salad: Toss beans with chopped vegetables, herbs, and a simple vinaigrette.
- Bean Soup: Combine beans with broth, vegetables, and seasonings for a hearty soup.
- Bean Dip: Blend beans with garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a quick dip.