Creative Uses for Common Leftovers — How to Eat Better with Less Cooking
Here's some good news if you’ve ever struggled to cook healthy meals on busy weeknights. With some creativity and simple strategies, your leftovers can become the star of your next quick, nourishing meal.
The basic building blocks of a balanced meal include protein, fiber, grains or starch, and healthy fat. With that in mind, you can plan to use certain leftovers as ingredients in another meal. Then, mix and match them with fresh items to create delicious new meals in minutes.
Here are a few ideas:
Build yummy bowls: Include a grain, protein, veggies, and a sauce. For example, you
might try leftover rice, quinoa, or pasta paired with chicken, shrimp, shredded pork, or
beans. Toss in roasted or raw veggies (or both for added crunch!) and top it with your
favorite olive oil and vinegar combo or a scoop of hummus or guacamole.
Load up a baked or sweet potato: Making potatoes? Roast extras and plan a baked
potato bar for another night. Set out leftover chicken, taco meat, beans, cottage cheese, greens, shredded carrots, or roasted veggies, and let everyone build their own spud. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar for a delicious, hearty meal full of
fiber.
Make an omelet or frittata: Leftover veggies and many proteins work well in egg
dishes. Pair with a simple side salad or bean salad for extra color and fiber.
Create hearty salads: Use dark leafy greens or a simple bagged salad and add a
scoop of leftover grains, a mixture of grilled and raw veggies, any protein you have on
hand, and a sprinkle of cheese or nuts. Top it with one of our delicious olive oil and
vinegar pairings.
Wrap it up: Turn leftover chicken, tofu, or fish into wraps or fajitas with fresh grilled
veggies. Add hummus, guacamole, or a drizzle of olive oil. Leftovers also make great
quesadillas—try a smear of canned pumpkin inside for extra sweetness and fiber!
Learning to repurpose leftovers into fresh, new meals is a great way to eat well, waste
less, and save time.