20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (2024)

    These recipes are gifts that keep on giving.

    by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

    Look, we get it. You're probably tired of cooking by now. Which is why you'll love these no-fuss recipes that make delicious leftovers for days to come. Make a big batch of these meals, keep them in the fridge, and enjoy them for the rest of the week without worrying about more cooking.

    Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com

    Your favorite pasta, cherry tomatoes, tiny mozzarella balls, and fresh basil get tossed in a simple olive oil and balsamic drizzle. Sometimes simple really is best. Get the recipe for Caprese pasta salad here.

    Savory Bites Recipes / Via savorybitesrecipes.com

    This noodle dish happens to be vegetarian, but you can always add whatever protein you like best from sliced beef to chicken or even tofu. Get the recipe for 20-minute vegetable lo mein here.

    The Mediterranean Dish / Via themediterraneandish.com

    Lasagna noodles get coated in a mixture of ricotta cheese, goat cheese, shredded mozzarella, garlic, and fresh parsley and topped with a zucchini ribbon. Roll the noodles up, coat them in marinara sauce and more shredded cheese, and bake until golden brown and bubbly. Get the recipe for vegetarian lasagna roll-ups here.

    Spices In My DNA / Via spicesinmydna.com

    If you don't have the time or energy to make homemade pesto, just grab your favorite store-bought version. Roast whatever veggies you have on hand, and toss everything together with some pasta. Get the recipe for broccoli pesto pasta with roasted vegetables here.

    The Food Charlatan / Via thefoodcharlatan.com

    If you don't devour the whole casserole throughout the week, you can freeze this baked ziti once it's cooked for up to three months. Get the recipe for cheesy baked ziti here.

    6. Chicken Fajita Rice Bowls

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (2)

    Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com

    Usually, leftover rice gets stale and dry, but not this recipe. It's cooked with chicken broth, fajita seasoning, plenty of veggies, and cheese, which keeps it moist and delicious. Pro tip: Add a little more chicken broth when you reheat it, and it will taste good as new even on the third or fourth day in the fridge. Get the recipe for chicken fajita rice bowls here.

    Spend With Pennies / Via spendwithpennies.com

    Meatballs are so easy to make in bulk. Not only can you keep these cooked in the fridge for a few days, but you can also freeze any leftovers for future lazy nights. Toss them with some spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or rice and your favorite past sauce for a filling meal. Get the recipe for turkey meatballs here.

    The Cookie Rookie / Via thecookierookie.com

    Is this the easiest chicken recipe ever? Perhaps. All you need is chicken breast, store-bought Caesar dressing, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Get the recipe for baked Caesar chicken here.

    Life Made Simple Bakes / Via lifemadesimplebakes.com

    Name a better leftover food than rice noodles in sweet and savory peanut sauce... yeah, you can't. Get the recipe for pad Thai here.

    Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

    Salmon tastes delicious either hot or chilled, so you can make an extra piece or two, keep it in the refrigerator, and eat it the next day on a salad or with your favorite grain. Get the recipe for 10-minute maple glazed salmon here.

    11. Six-Minute Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (3)

    Bowl of Delicious / Via bowlofdelicious.com

    Unlike most seafood recipes, which don't taste great the next day, seared ahi tuna tastes great served cold. Enjoy it on top of a salad, a bed of rice, or over some sliced avocado. Get the recipe for seared ahi tuna steaks here.

    12. Better-Than-Takeout Beef With Broccoli

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (4)

    Averie Cooks / Via averiecooks.com

    There's nothing fancy about this take-out inspired recipe. The sauce is made with soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, and sesame oil. Boil it until it thickens, then add the sliced beef and broccoli and mix it all up. Get the recipe for better-than-takeout beef with broccoli here.

    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    Not only is this a one-pot meal with minimal clean up required, but the orzo tastes even better as it sits overnight in the fridge sopping up diced tomato juice and spicy harissa. Get the recipe for one-pot shrimp with orzo and feta here.

    Love and Lemons / Via loveandlemons.com

    The thing we love most about this couscous salad is you can make a big batch, keep it in the fridge, and then bulk it up with whatever protein you have on hand like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon. Get the recipe for cherry tomato couscous salad here.

    The Real Food RDs / Via therealfoodrds.com

    If you're saving the extra for leftovers, just don't assemble the lettuce wraps. Store the pork mixture separately in an airtight container and then assemble the wraps when you're hungry. Get the recipe for Chinese-inspired pork lettuce wraps here.

    16. Sheet Pan Chicken Fried Rice

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (5)

    Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

    Everything (besides for the rice, which should already be cooked or steamed), cooks on a single sheet pan. If you don't love chicken, you can substitute something else or keep this meal vegetarian. Get the recipe for sheet pan chicken fried rice here.

    Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com, Via foodiecrush.com

    You can fully prepare these stuffed peppers, eat whatever you have room for, and save the remaining peppers in the fridge, wrapped in tin foil. Heat them up in the oven when you need a quick and satisfying meal.Get the recipe for southwestern stuffed bell peppers here.

    Our Salty Kitchen / Via oursaltykitchen.com

    There's something about grain salads that just gets better as they sit in the fridge. This quinoa bowl is loaded with flaky salmon, snap peas, carrots and spinach or chard. If you're worried about the salad getting soggy, just keep the dressing on the side. Get the recipe for salmon quinoa salad with honey soy dressing here.

    19. Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (6)

    The Two Bite Club / Via thetwobiteclub.com

    This sheet pan take on eggplant parm is so easy. Just dredge sliced eggplant in eggs and panko breadcrumbs, line them up on a sheet pan, and top with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and fresh herbs. Serve with your favorite pasta! Get the recipe for sheet pan eggplant parmesan here.

    20. Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (7)

    The Woks of Life / Via thewoksoflife.com

    Make more beef than you need and instead of assembling all of the tacos, store the bulgogi and taco ingredients separately. For the next few days, you can enjoy delicious tacos on demand. Get the recipe for Korean beef bulgogi tacos here.

    20 Recipes That Make The Most Delicious Leftovers (2024)

    FAQs

    What foods make the best leftovers? ›

    • Meatloaf. Though meatloaf is often restricted to the weeknight dinner table, it is a powerhouse leftover. ...
    • Lasagna. Sure, there's nothing better than lasagna coming out of the oven hot with bubbling cheese. ...
    • Pulled Pork. ...
    • Beef Stew. ...
    • Chili. ...
    • Frittatas, Quiches and Tarts.

    What is the number one leftover food? ›

    Soups and chili are probably some of the most well-known leftovers-friendly recipes there are. But for good reason! Soups and chilis often taste even better after they've sat in the fridge overnight. Soup is also incredibly easy to reheat and customize after reheating.

    What makes good leftovers for lunch? ›

    You'll not only be thankful to have leftovers, you'll be looking forward to eating them.
    • 01 of 15. World's Best Lasagna. ...
    • 02 of 15. Easy Chicken Enchiladas. ...
    • 03 of 15. Beef Stew. ...
    • 04 of 15. Baked Ziti. ...
    • 05 of 15. Best Damn Chili. ...
    • 06 of 15. Thai Chicken Curry in Coconut Milk. ...
    • 07 of 15. The Best Meatloaf. ...
    • 08 of 15. My Favorite Chicken Salad.
    Sep 28, 2020

    What tastes better as leftovers? ›

    Have you ever reheated a leftover meal like meatloaf and it seemed to taste better than when you first ate it hot out of the oven? There are some meals that are notorious for being tastier on the second day, including spicy chili or bursting-with-flavor curry, and saucy lasagna or hearty beef stew.

    What can I use everything but the leftovers? ›

    To create Trader Joe's Everything but the Leftovers, we've distilled the essence of a stellar stuffing and a great gravy down to a shake-able-and vegan- Shake this Seasoning on eggs, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, popcorn, or use it to liven up your next sheet pan meal!

    What are the best cold leftovers? ›

    • Cold egg fried rice makes for a delicious breakfast. ( ...
    • Stuffing is good cold alone or on a Thanksgiving sandwich. ( ...
    • Cold meatloaf with ketchup and fresh bread makes a mean sandwich. ( ...
    • Cold kernels of corn are little golden nuggets of crunchy refreshment. ( ...
    • Leftover pizza makes packing school lunches a cinch. (

    What foods taste good reheated? ›

    10 Meals That Taste Better the Next Day
    • BEEF. Beef Bourguinon.
    • QUICHES AND SAVOURY PIES. Braised Beef Pie.
    • PASTA. Spaghetti Sauce (The Best)
    • VEGETARIAN. Dal.
    • LEGUMES. Three Bean and Pork Chili.
    • COMFORT FOOD. Chicken Pot Pie (The Best)
    • MEDITERRANEAN. Moussaka.
    • SOUPS AND BROTHS. Vegetable and Fava Bean Soup.

    What is the number 1 consumed food? ›

    Rice is a food staple for more than 3.5 billion people around the world, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa. Rice has been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years. Scientists believe people first domesticated rice in India or Southeast Asia.

    How do I make my leftovers more exciting? ›

    By reimagining leftovers into new meals, you can make them a little more exciting and even have some fun in the process. Depending on the original taste and seasoning of your leftover meal, you can add leftover meat, vegetables, or seafood to a new creation such as fried rice, pasta, casseroles, tacos, or soup.

    What can I eat instead of sandwiches for lunch? ›

    Say No to Sandwiches! Quick and Easy Lunchbox Alternatives
    • A carby item, such a bread, pasta or rice.
    • Protein for example, meat, fish or eggs.
    • A dairy item like yoghurt or cheese.
    • Vegetables or salad and a piece of fruit.

    What do most restaurants do with leftover food? ›

    Many restaurants cook with fresh ingredients, but what they don't use is often saved for another day or sold to other restaurants for a cut price. Some establishments will give them to their employees to take home to ensure the food isn't wasted.

    Why does leftover lasagna taste better? ›

    Our seasoned experts agree

    Have you noticed if you cut your lasagne as soon as it comes out of the oven, it can be sloppy, falls apart easily and the sauce runs to the bottom of the dish? When you have it the next day, the sauce has had time to firm up and create an even richer tomato taste,” she says.

    Why is spaghetti better the next day? ›

    Food develops new flavour molecules, and for us, that means it tastes better. According to the study, proteins may further breakdown when the leftovers are reheated, producing new flavours which wouldn't have been there when the food was freshly cooked. Think of spaghetti bolognese. Or a pot of curry.

    Is spaghetti sauce better the next day? ›

    It's very hard to “ruin” a sauce unless you burn it. If it is too thick or if the seasoning is too intense, thin it with broth, water or tomato juice. One truth is that spaghetti sauce always tastes better the next day as all the flavors fuse.

    What should leftovers be reheated to at least? ›

    Leftovers should be reheated to at least 165°F before serving. This includes leftovers warmed up in the microwave.

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