It always seems that when you have leftover veggies and meat in your fridge, they are just not quite enough to make a meal. Yet, by using a little creativity, those leftovers can be transformed into delicious and nutritious meals. Here are 18 smart ways to make the most of your leftovers and avoid wasting food.
Make a Stir-Fry
It is fast and allows you to get rid of the leftover vegetables or meat you have in your fridge. There are no complicated steps to follow; just chop everything into bite-sized pieces and cook over high heat in a pan with some oil/garlic/ soy sauce; spoon it out onto steamed rice or saucy egg noodles for dinner!
Create a Hearty Soup
A hearty soup is a wonderful way to use up any meat and vegetables you might have left over. For a simple broth, add your leftovers and let them simmer until they are heated through. Add a few herbs and spices to tomato sauce for the most comforting comfort food ever. Tomato soup is already a warm blanket of comfort food; add some herbs and spices for the most comforting ever.
Get soup recipes here: 19 Cool and Refreshing Summer Soup Recipes
Whip Up a Frittata
Frittata is an Italian dish similar to omelet or quiche. Combine whatever vegetables and proteins you like in a pan with whisked eggs, and transfer everything to an oven-proof pot that’s preheated. Cook edges are set, and then transfer to oven.
Build a Burrito or Wrap
Place leftovers into a flour tortilla for an instant meal-to-go! Remove from the stove and serve hot with cheese salsa and some salad leaves. Burritos are very versatile and can be tailored to your particular taste.
Cook a Casserole
Make a casserole, Layer your leftovers with some rice, pasta, or potatoes, and bake in the oven. Top with some rich cream sauce over, or sprinkle on some cheese and you end up with a moist casserole packed of flavor.
Get casserole recipes here: 15 Mexican Casserole Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinners
Prepare a Salad
Waste not, want not, leftover vegetables and meat make a fantastic salad you can also stir into it some salad greens along with a light dressing, maybe some nuts or seeds for crunch. A delicious and healthy way to utilize your leftovers is through salads.
Make a Sandwich
Prepare a delicious sandwich with your leftovers. Grab some ciabatta rolls or French bread and stack your protein with mustard, lettuce, tomato – whatever works for you. Sandwiches are perfect for lunch and take very little preparation to make.
Create a Pizza Topping
Top a homemade pizza with your leftovers. Put some tomato sauce on the pizza base, add a little bit of cheese, then your meat and veggies. Bake until the cheese melts and the crust is golden.
Get the recipe: The Ultimate No-Knead Margherita Pizza
Stuff a Potato
The baked potato is a perfect leftover meal. Remove some of the potato, cook up your meat and vegetables, and combine it with the potato mixture before putting everything back inside its shell. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake at 200C (390F) until warmed through.
Prepare a Rice or Grain Bowl
Most leftovers make a great rice or grain bowl. Pair them with a grain – like rice, quinoa, or another favorite of yours and top it off with sauce. Bowls have the luxury of being malleable and flexible to suit your own tastes.
Make a Pita Pocket
You can throw your leftovers into a pita pocket for some eat-on-the-go action. Try it with a little hummus or tzatziki for more taste. Crispy pita pockets are one of the easiest things to make and convenient to eat on the go.
Cook a Stirred Rice Dish
Use leftover meat and veggies with fried rice. Sauté everything in a hot oil wok, stir in the cooked rice, and add soy sauce. This is an easy little number that you can whip up in only a few minutes.
Create a Noodle Dish
Throw together some cooked noodles with whatever leftovers you have for a super quick meal. Add a delicious sauce and herbs to bring everything together. There is nothing like a noodle dish; it’s easy and delicious.
Get the recipes: 15 Authentic Asian Recipes to Make at Home That Are Better Than Takeout
Make a Meat and Veggie Pie
Turn your leftovers into a savory pie. Place in a store-bought (or homemade) pie crust with your meat and veg mixture and bake until golden! A pie is an entirely comforting way to eat leftover meat.
Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Puff Pastries
Prepare a Stuffed Bell Pepper
Bell Peppers make excellent ways to use up leftovers! Stuff the meat and veggies into half of the pepper, cover them with cheese, then bake until your pepper halves are tender. A colorful dish to eat with a salad.
Cook an Omelet
Leftovers can go in an omelet with zero fuss. Just scramble an egg, place it in a frying pan, and fill half of the omelet with your toppings before folding over. Omelets work for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Make a Smoothie
If you have leftover veggies like spinach or kale, add them to a smoothie for a healthy boost. Mix it in with some fruit, yogurt, and a little bit of honey or juice for sweetness. To get your fill and make the most of those leftovers, try making a smoothie.
Create a Grain-Free Crust
By just finely chopping up your leftovers, you can make a grain-free pizza or quiche crust. A few eggs and spices later, the mixture gets patted down to a bake in one layer. Which is what makes this the perfect keto choice.
As you know, food waste is not only a good idea if you aim to save money, but it’s also eco-friendly. These clever ways to reuse your leftovers will have you dining on a wide selection of dishes and not letting any food go bad. According to a USDA study, it is estimated that 30-40% of the food supply in the United States ends up as waste. Eating your leftovers is a tiny part of chipping away at that number.
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