Leftover Recipes give a new life to food.
Wasting food is a sin, this has always been taught to us by our grandmothers who were black belt in the kitchen anti-waste, however, it happens that something is left over, let’s see together how to cook with leftovers to put creativity at the service of a sustainable cuisine.
How many times have we cooked a dish by exaggerating with the portions than we needed?
So I thought of collecting some recipes that will allow us to give a new life to those leftovers most of us have lying around the kitchen.
Tips On How to Reuse Food Leftovers
How to Reuse Leftover Meat
Meatballs are a dish from the kitchen of leftovers par excellence, which the more they are enriched, the better they become.
Meatballs can be made with leftover meat from roasts, boiled meat or even grilled meat.
The important thing is to keep in mind the taste, flavor and texture of the starting meat in order to balance the mixture.
You can then dip them in tomato sauce and turn them into tasty meatballs with sauce, or add them to a plate of spaghetti to be enjoyed in a dinner.
Or, if you prefer, instead of meatballs, you can cook leftover meat to make a meatloaf.
Other ideas for using leftover meat, can be salads or filling for ravioli.
- How to Reuse Leftover Pasta
If there is pasta left over, there is nothing better than storing it in the refrigerator and turning it into baked pasta the next day.
Simply add a little bit of béchamel sauce to the leftover pasta to make it creamy, thus preventing it from drying out too much in the oven, and then open the fridge and let your imagination run wild: you can add stringy cheeses, cold cuts, or vegetables to the pasta, depending on the ingredients you have at home.
Or you can simply add a few eggs and lots of parmesan cheese and fry in a pan to create a delicious frittata pasta it in a pan for a delicious result.
How to Reuse Leftover Rice
Even leftover rice can be used for many preparations, first and foremost for the delicious Arancini Fritti.
Whatever risotto you have leftover, once cold simply cut it into small portions and round it off with your hands as if it were a meatball and add a piece of smoked scamorza or sweet provola.
Once breaded and fried you will have a tasty finger food to serve as an appetizer or dinner.
But the leftover rice can also be used to create tasty timbales with your favorite ingredients to be gratinated in the oven, or you can make delicious rice soups.
How to Reuse Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Leftover Mashed Potatoes are practical and quick to handle.
The first recipe we suggest you to make is undoubtedly Duchess Potatoes, a tasty and refined side dish that can do justice to your leftovers.
We could not miss the delicious Potato Croquettes, just give them the typical elongated shape, bread them and fry them, nothing simpler.
18 Delicious Leftover Recipes You’ll Want to Try
#1 Ham and Rice Casserole
A delicious ham and rice casserole that’s perfect for using up leftover ham.
#2 Papas Rellenas {Cuban Meat Balls}
Leftover mashed potatoes?
These Cuban papas rellenas are the perfect snack or appetizer.
#3 Cheesy Potato-Crusted Chicken Pot Pies
Leftover turkey or chicken?
These cheesy mashed potato topped pot pies are a delicious way to repurpose leftovers.
#4 Crispy (Leftover) Pasta
Crispy leftover pasta is even better than the pasta made fresh!
Love the crispy part of the lasagna? Then this is for you!
#5 Leftover Turkey And Rice Soup
#6 Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Pot Roast.
There are many ways to use leftover pot roast, but none are better than this hearty Shepherd’s Pie recipe.
#7 Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe is creamy and loaded with leftover ham.
A classic dish and ultimate comfort food on a chilly winter night!
#8 Chicken (or turkey) Muffins
Don’t know what to do with leftover roast chicken or turkey?
Those chicken (or turkey) muffins will be perfect for a grab and go meal.
#9 Mashed Potato Pancakes
Leftover mashed potatoes make these Mashed Potato Pancakes (Latkes) a snap.
They’re crispy on the outside and creamy, cheesy delicious on the inside.
#10 Pampered Chef Chicken Broccoli Braid
This Pampered Chef Chicken Broccoli Braid is made with juicy, boneless chicken breast, tender broccoli and a sprinkling of cheese all wrapped in a flakey crescent roll.
This broccoli chicken braid will become a favorite recipe!
#11 Spaghetti Pie with Three Cheeses
Spaghetti Pie with Three Cheeses–smoked mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan–is how to turn leftover spaghetti into something amazing!
#12 Leftover Pesto Idea: Quick Pesto Croutons
Homemade croutons and homemade pesto are two of the easiest things to make at home, combining them to make homemade pesto croutons just makes sense!
#13 Leftover Mashed Potato Dumplings
Mixed with cheese, bacon, butter and salty delicious potato chips, stuffed in a wonton wrapper and baked until golden brown and crispy, these Mashed Potato Dumplings are easy to make and are a party favorite!
#14 Panettone Bread Pudding
What better way to use leftover panettone than to make a bread pudding, right?
This is a simple recipe, with few everyday ingredients, and very customizable flavor-wise.
#15 Leftover Pasta Frittata
Leftover pasta is always transformed into a frittata. So delicious and easy to put together, it comes together in 30 minutes!
Bake it as creamy and as cheesy as you want it, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
#16 Grilled Polenta with Cheese
Leftover polenta is a delicious way to make use of your dish the next day.
Cheese fans will adore it made this way!
#17 Lentil Turkey Soup
Wholesome and flavorful, this simple lentil turkey soup is a great way to make use of leftover turkey.
For a complete meal, serve it with a side salad and a slice of crusty bread.
#18 Mini Turkey Pot Pies
This mini turkey (or chicken) pot pie is delicious and easy to make.
Chunks of honey-roasted turkey breast with crispy bacon are enveloped in an aromatic spice sauce combined with vegetables.
#19 Leftover steak fajitas
These leftover steak fajitas are made with leftover steak for an easy and tasty dinner!
#20 Leftover Roast Beef and Wild Rice Soup
This soup is a fast and comforting one pot which is perfect for using up leftover beef.
#21 Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ideal meal when you’re short on time but want to enjoy a warm and comforting meal.
It is easy and tasty, packed with flavour, and a meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Leftover cooked chicken, pasta and broccoli are combined in a creamy, cheesy sauce, turned into a casserole dish and finished with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs which become deliciously crispy when baked.
#22 Ham Salad
This ham salad is a blend of finely diced ham, mayonnaise, veggies and seasonings, all mixed together to form a savory and creamy salad.
Enjoy
