10+ Leftover Recipes to Transform Your Extras into Delicious Meals

Leftover recipes can transform your meals and help reduce food waste. With a little creativity, you can turn yesterday’s dinner into new and exciting dishes today.

Whether it’s pasta, vegetables, or proteins, you have plenty of ways to make use of what you have on hand. Using leftovers saves money and makes meal prep more efficient.

You’ll be surprised at how delicious and varied your meals can be when you think outside the box with your leftovers. Explore simple ideas to inspire your next kitchen adventure.

1) Chicken & Tzatziki Wraps

Chicken and tzatziki wraps are a tasty way to use up leftover chicken. These wraps combine juicy chicken with refreshing tzatziki sauce for a perfect meal.

Start by warming your wraps. Spread some tzatziki sauce on each one to add flavor.

Layer the chicken, diced tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers on top. You can use store-bought tzatziki or make your own with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs.

Add your favorite greens, like lettuce or spinach, for extra crunch. Customize these wraps with whatever toppings you enjoy.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken, shredded
• Tortillas or wraps
• Tzatziki sauce
• Tomatoes, diced
• Cucumber, sliced
• Lettuce or spinach (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the tortillas in a pan or microwave.
2. Spread tzatziki sauce on each wrap.
3. Add shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, and cucumber.
4. Top with lettuce or spinach if desired.
5. Roll up the wraps and enjoy!

2) Fried Rice with Mixed Veggies

Fried rice with mixed veggies is a great way to use up leftover rice and vegetables. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.

Gather your leftover rice and any vegetables you have on hand. Common choices include peas, carrots, and bell peppers.

You can use fresh or frozen veggies. Heat a large pan or wok with some oil.

Add garlic and your veggies, and stir-fry them until they’re tender. Add the rice and soy sauce, mixing everything thoroughly.

Scramble in a couple of eggs for added protein if you’d like.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, bell peppers)
• 2 eggs (optional)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Add garlic and mixed veggies, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the leftover rice and soy sauce, mixing well.
4. If using eggs, push the rice to the side and scramble them in the pan.
5. Combine everything and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes before serving.

3) Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey pot pie is a perfect way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey. You can create a comforting meal with just a few simple ingredients.

The combination of turkey, vegetables, and a creamy sauce makes it a family favorite. To start, you’ll need pie crusts to hold all that delicious filling.

Use store-bought crust to save time. Layer the turkey and mixed veggies for a hearty dish.

Bake it at 400°F (200°C) for a golden crust. Enjoy your leftovers in a new way.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like peas and carrots)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 pie crusts
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix turkey, vegetables, soup, and broth.
3. Pour the mixture into one pie crust placed in a pie dish.
4. Cover with the second pie crust and seal the edges.
5. Cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

4) Coronation Chicken Salad

Coronation chicken salad is a delicious way to use leftover chicken. It’s creamy, slightly spicy, and packed with flavors.

You can enjoy it in sandwiches, wraps, or over a bed of greens. Start with shredded cooked chicken.

Combine this with Greek yogurt and a bit of mango chutney for sweetness. Add some curry powder for a touch of spice.

For texture, add dried apricots and toasted almonds. Serve it chilled for a refreshing meal.

Ingredients

• 400g shredded cooked chicken (skinless)
• 100ml Greek yogurt or crème fraîche
• 1 tbsp mango chutney
• 2 tsp medium curry powder
• ½ cup dried apricots, chopped
• ½ cup toasted almonds
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt and mango chutney.
2. Stir in the curry powder and salt.
3. Add the shredded chicken, apricots, and almonds.
4. Mix well and chill in the fridge before serving.

5) Cheese Scraps Pasta Bake

This cheese scraps pasta bake is a tasty way to use up leftover cheese and pasta. It’s simple and perfect for a cozy dinner.

Mix different types of cheese for added flavor. Use whatever you have on hand, like shredded cheddar, Swiss, or cream cheese.

Cook your leftover pasta until it’s warm. Combine it with chopped onions, garlic, and your cheese scraps in a baking dish.

Top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for crunch. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Ingredients

• 800g leftover short pasta
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed
• Cheese scraps (any combination)
• Breadcrumbs (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the leftover pasta until heated through.
3. In a baking dish, mix pasta, onions, garlic, and cheese.
4. Top with breadcrumbs.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

6) Prawn and Green Mango Salad

This refreshing prawn and green mango salad is quick to make and perfect for using up leftover prawns. The combination of sweet mango and zesty dressing brings bright flavors to your meal.

Add herbs like cilantro or mint to enhance the taste. The crunch from the green mango adds a nice texture.

This salad is light and healthy, making it an ideal choice for a warm day. Enjoy it as a starter or a main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked prawns
• 1 green mango, peeled and julienned
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine cooked prawns and green mango.
2. Add cilantro and crushed peanuts to the bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
5. Serve immediately.

7) Salmon Cakes

Salmon cakes are a tasty way to use leftover salmon. They are easy to prepare and great for a quick meal.

You can use canned salmon or any leftover salmon you have. Mix flaked salmon with bread crumbs, eggs, and spices.

Pan-fry the patties until golden brown. Serve with a side salad or on a bun as a sandwich.

A dollop of mayo or a squeeze of lemon adds extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flaked salmon
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 beaten eggs
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the flaked salmon, bread crumbs, eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Form the mixture into patties.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
5. Fry the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

8) Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a great way to use up leftovers. You can fill them with rice, meat, beans, or veggies.

To prepare, hollow out your bell peppers. Mix your leftover ingredients together.

Stuff each pepper with the mixture, pressing down gently. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish.

Top them with cheese if you like. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes to make the peppers tender and warm up the filling.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup cooked ground meat or beans
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Spices to taste (like salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds.
3. Mix rice, meat, tomatoes, and spices in a bowl.
4. Stuff each pepper with the mixture.
5. Place them in a baking dish and top with cheese if desired.
6. Bake for 30 minutes.

9) Leftover Turkey Sandwiches

Leftover turkey sandwiches are a tasty way to enjoy holiday leftovers. Use crusty bread and layer on your turkey slices.

Add some cranberry sauce and mayo for a delicious kick. For extra flavor, add sliced onions and a handful of arugula.

These ingredients bring freshness to your sandwich. You can also try melted cheese for a warm twist.

If you want something special, make a turkey melt. Layer your turkey with cheese, bacon, and crispy apples.

Toast it in a pan for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

• Turkey slices
• Crusty bread
• Cranberry sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Sliced onions
• Arugula
• Cheese (optional)
• Bacon (optional)
• Apples (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Take your bread and spread mayo on one side.
2. Layer turkey, cranberry sauce, and onions.
3. Top with arugula.
4. If using, add cheese, bacon, and apples.
5. Grill in a pan until golden and warm.

10) Quiche with Ham and Spinach

A quiche with ham and spinach offers a tasty way to use up leftovers. You can add any other ingredients you have on hand.

This dish is both delicious and filling. You can make it with a pie crust or choose a crustless option.

The filling uses eggs, milk, ham, spinach, and cheese. Serve this quiche for brunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust (or crustless option)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 1 cup diced ham
• 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the pie crust in a pie pan if you are using one.

3. Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl until smooth.

4. Add ham, spinach, and cheese. Stir to combine.

5. Pour the mixture into the crust.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and golden.