Food waste is not only unnecessarily wasteful; it’s something many of us can’t afford to do amid our current climate of rising living costs and grocery store bills. Fear not—with a little creativity and some inspiration, you can use every last bit of your leftover veggies and meat and transform them into these 18 deliciously efficient meals without compromising on taste.
Soup
Leftover roasted/steamed vegetables, cooked chicken or beef, and broth are easily transformed into a hearty, healthy soup. Simply toss your ingredients into a pot, add your favorite seasonings (herbs, garlic, or a squeeze of lemon), and simmer until everything is heated through. You can blend it for a creamier texture or add cream, pulses, or cheese for a more substantial meal.
Frittatas
The National Post says these omelets originated in Italy but are so versatile that they’ve been adapted and incorporated into many cuisines. They’re perfect for using up leftover vegetables, meat, cheese, and even cooked pasta. Sauté your ingredients in a skillet before adding whisked eggs and milk. Once the bottom sets, add cheese and bake in the oven until thoroughly cooked.
Stir-Fry
Asian cuisine is a great way to use up leftover cooked meats and vegetables, and no dish is quicker, easier, or more versatile than the humble stir-fry! All you need is oil and a wok or frying pan. Cut everything into bite-size pieces, sauté for a few minutes, and then add some stir-fry sauce or soy. Add cooked noodles or rice, or top with a fried egg for a more filling meal.
Quesadillas
Mexican food is also great for ‘leftover’ inspiration! Warm a large tortilla in a skillet over medium heat, then add some cheese, chopped meat, and your favorite veggies. Fold the tortilla over the top and cook on each side for a few more minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with salad, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. If you like things hot, consider adding some chili or other spices.
Hash
The quintessential leftover dish originated in France as a way to use up meat, veggies, and potatoes, and it remains a delicious option that is endlessly adaptable. Sauté up some roasted vegetables, potatoes, and cooked meat in oil and add seasoning to taste. Once the potatoes start to brown, remove from the heat and serve with cheese or a fried egg, if desired.
Salad
Almost any leftovers can be incorporated into a salad—vegetables, grains, meat, eggs, cheese, fish, pasta, even rice! Cooked veggies and meat work especially well and can be combined with whatever you have, from green leaves and salad vegetables to chickpeas and cold potatoes. Add some seasoning, mayonnaise, or vinaigrette for a delicious lunch or light meal.
Pizza
Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser and a great option for using up small amounts of leftovers. Its short cooking time also suits pre-cooked meats and vegetables that only need to be thoroughly heated through. LifeHacker recommends using store-bought bases with pizza sauce, and adding all your leftovers, followed by cheese and herbs (like basil or oregano) before baking.
Burritos
A variety of leftovers can be transformed into a substantial meal by making a burrito. Similar to quesadillas but more hearty, burritos are warm tortillas loaded with salad, rice, or pulses, as well as cooked leftover vegetables, meats, and cheese. For best results, add some Mexican spices or seasoning and serve with sides like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
Spring Rolls
Homemade spring rolls are far more nutritious and delicious than commercial alternatives and offer a fantastic way to use up cooked vegetables, meat, and even noodles. Take store-bought wrappers and soak them in warm water for a few seconds before filling them with shredded ingredients and sealing them with water. Deep fry them until crispy and golden, then serve with dipping sauce.
Pot Pie
If you have a lot of leftovers (like after Thanksgiving, for example) and want to make a hearty main meal, why not whip up a flavorsome pot pie? Almost any leftover meat or veggies will do—place them in a casserole dish and add some gravy or sauce before topping with mashed potatoes and cheese and baking in the oven for 20–25 minutes.
Empanada
According to Culture Trip, “Empanadas are hand-sized savory pies that can be found all over South America. In Argentina, every province has its own variety.” If you have some spare dough or a store-bought alternative, simply fill cut circles with meat, vegetables, and cheese before sealing and oven-baking. Because they’re unfried, these are a less calorific alternative to spring rolls.
Fried Rice
Leftover cooked rice can be paired with almost any cooked meat or vegetable, although things like sweetcorn, bell peppers, onions, broccoli, and carrots work especially well. Fry up your leftovers in a hot, oiled pan before adding the rice and some soy or oyster sauce, followed by beaten eggs. Just ensure that any cooked rice is properly stored for a maximum of 48 hours.
Stromboli
This type of rolled-up pizza is easily made with leftover pizza dough and whatever vegetables or cooked meats you need to use up. You’ll need a hot, preheated oven (400°F) to cook the dough. Roll out a piece of dough into a rectangle, spread it with your favorite Italian sauce or pesto, top with leftover chopped meat, cheese, and veggies, then roll up and bake for 25 minutes.
Tacos
These crispy Mexican shells are made from baked corn tortillas. They’re perfect for stuffing with leftover cooked meat, cheese, and veggies for an impromptu taco night! Tacos require a finely shredded filling, so dice up your leftovers before heating them in a skillet or microwave. Tacos work well with extras like salad, avocado, grated cheese, sour cream, salsa, or pico de gallo.
Scrambled Eggs
Certain leftover vegetables and cooked meats pair well with eggs. Healthline states eggs also boost the nutritional value of any meal and are packed with vitamins, “good” cholesterol, and protein. Simply fry up your leftovers before adding a mixture of eggs beaten with milk and seasoning. You can even top your meal with cheese or your favorite herbs or spices.
Pasta
The Italian staple is so versatile that you can add almost any combination of cooked meat or vegetables. If you have chicken and cooked mushrooms or broccoli, try a cream-based sauce or stir through some pesto. If you have beef, lamb, or pork, go for a tomato-based sauce and add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. You can add spices, herbs, and seasoning to taste.
Asian Noodle Bowl
Leftover cooked vegetables, meat, and rice noodles can be transformed into a flavorful, infinitely customizable noodle bowl. If you don’t have leftover cooked noodles, boil some while frying your leftovers in a separate pan until heated through. Combine the cooked ingredients before topping with chopped peanuts, green onions, lime juice, fried egg, or sriracha mayo.
Soup Stock
If you have too many leftovers, or they’ve been kept too long to be appetizing, don’t throw them away! Boil them up with vegetable scraps, peelings, and inedible animal parts (like bones and tough skin) to make a wonderfully flavorful homemade broth. Simmer for several hours before discarding the solids and keeping the liquid for future use as a soup base—it can easily be frozen if needed.