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Home » Recipe Collections

20 Genius Recipes for Using Up Leftovers That Feel Brand New

Published: Sep 21, 2024 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Leftovers don’t have to be boring! With a little creativity, you can transform what’s sitting in your fridge into meals that feel brand new and exciting. Whether you’re looking to cut down on waste or simply want to spice things up, these recipes will show you just how great using up leftovers can be. Get ready to discover how to make the most of what you already have and enjoy every bite!

Three Leftover Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups on a stack of plates.
Leftover Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups. Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Horizontal image of fried rice in a white bowl with brown chopsticks on the side.
Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried rice with day-old rice and ingredients from your fridge is a quick and efficient way to use up leftovers. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner or a lunch on the go.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Brisket Baked Potatoes

Brisket Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Loaded BBQ brisket baked potatoes are topped with leftover beef brisket, making for a hearty and filling meal. This recipe is an excellent way to repurpose brisket leftovers with bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Baked Potatoes

Easy Breakfast Quesadilla

Easy Breakfast Quesadilla. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Leftover ham breakfast quesadillas use scrambled eggs, cheese, and ham to create a protein-packed morning meal. This recipe transforms leftover ham into a substantial breakfast with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Breakfast Quesadilla

Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups

Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ham, broccoli, and cheese crescent cups use leftover ham in a versatile breakfast, brunch, or snack. With just a few ingredients, you can whip these up quickly, making them a convenient choice for leftover ham.
Get the Recipe: Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups

Tri Tip Sandwich

Tri Tip Sandwich. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

A tri-tip sandwich is a quick way to use leftover tri-tip roast. With just a few ingredients, this sandwich makes it easy to enjoy leftover beef without much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Tri Tip Sandwich

Brisket Quesadilla

Brisket Quesadilla. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Brisket quesadillas use leftover brisket, cheddar cheese, onions, and BBQ sauce to create a crispy, cheesy meal. This straightforward recipe transforms brisket leftovers into a satisfying dish with minimal prep.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Quesadilla

Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Leftover ham pot pie features a flaky crust and creamy filling, making it perfect for family meals. This dish turns ham leftovers into a new meal and is also ideal for freezing and later use.
Get the Recipe: Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

Roast Beef Stroganoff

Roast Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff is a flavorful dish that utilizes pre-cooked roast beef. It’s a quick way to repurpose leftovers into a satisfying meal with minimal prep time.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Stroganoff

Chicken Fajita Wrap

Chicken Fajita Wrap. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Chicken fajita wraps turn leftover chicken into a convenient and flavorful lunch option. These wraps are simple to prepare ahead of time and make excellent use of fajita leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Wrap

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie combines holiday leftovers under a flaky puff pastry crust. This recipe is an easy way to turn turkey and other extras into a hearty meal, perfect for feeding the family.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie

Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ham and cannellini bean soup is a comforting dish made from leftover ham and pantry staples. It’s a great way to use up ham leftovers, offering a hearty alternative to classic soups.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie

Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie combines mashed potatoes, veggies, and gravy into a complete meal made from leftovers. It’s an easy way to repurpose roast beef, giving you a hearty dish with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie

Steak Fajitas

Steak Fajitas. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This steak fajita recipe uses peppers, onions, and marinated steak to create a flavorful meal. It’s an easy way to use leftover steak and turn it into a quick and satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fajitas

Brisket Chili

Brisket Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Brisket chili is a thick, tomato-based dish with beans, peppers, and corn, offering a great way to use leftover beef brisket. This hearty chili turns leftovers into a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Leftover turkey wild rice casserole blends Thanksgiving leftovers with wild rice for a hearty meal. It’s a simple way to repurpose extra turkey into a fulfilling dish that the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

Roast Beef Stew

Roast Beef Stew. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover Roast Beef Stew transforms roast beef leftovers into a filling and flavorful stew. This simple dish makes the most of your leftovers, offering a comforting option with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Stew

Hot Turkey Sandwich

Hot Turkey Sandwich. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Diner-style hot turkey sandwiches with rich gravy, peas, and turkey slices are a great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. Consider making extra turkey just to enjoy these sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Hot Turkey Sandwich

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken with shredded chicken thighs is a simple one-skillet dish that cooks in 20 minutes. It’s a perfect way to repurpose leftover cooked chicken into a flavorful and quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Cottage Roll Hash

Cottage Roll Hash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover Cottage Roll Hash combines meat, potatoes, and cabbage for a hearty meal. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, this dish helps you make the most of cottage roll leftovers in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Roll Hash

Mashed Potato Pancakes

Two mashed potato pancakes on white plates topped with fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, and fresh herbs.
Mashed Potato Pancakes. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Mashed potato pancakes topped with fried eggs use leftover mashed potatoes to create a crispy and tender dish. In just 15 minutes, you can turn leftovers into a hearty breakfast or snack with only a skillet.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Pancakes

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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