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Home » Recipe Collections

20 Recipes That Make Leftovers the Star of the Show

Published: Sep 11, 2024 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Leftovers often get a bad rap, but these recipes prove they’re anything but boring. By giving new life to yesterday's meals, you can turn simple leftovers into great dishes that are both creative and tasty. With a little imagination, those last bits of food can become the star of the show, making your weeknight dinners both easy and exciting.

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole on two stacks of wooden bowls.
Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole. 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 any ingredients from your fridge is a quick way to use up leftovers and avoid waste. Ready in just 15 minutes, it makes for an easy weeknight meal or a speedy lunch when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Easy Breakfast Quesadilla

Three Easy Breakfast Quesadilla on a plate with fresh strawberries.
Easy Breakfast Quesadilla. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Leftover ham breakfast quesadillas are packed with scrambled eggs, cheese, and ham for a protein-rich morning meal. They’re a great way to transform leftover ham into a hearty breakfast option without much prep.
Get the Recipe: Easy Breakfast Quesadilla

Cottage Roll Hash

A bowl of Leftover Cottage Roll Hash.
Cottage Roll Hash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Leftover Cottage Roll Hash is a quick and hearty dish made from leftover meat, potatoes, and cabbage. Whether for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, this easy meal helps you make the most of your cottage roll leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Roll Hash

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole on two stacks of wooden bowls.
Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

Brisket Quesadilla

A stack of brisket quesadillas placed on a wooden board.
Brisket Quesadilla. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Brisket quesadillas are filled with leftover brisket, cheddar cheese, onions, and BBQ sauce, creating crispy edges and a gooey center. It's a simple, tasty way to turn leftover brisket into a satisfying dish that’s easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Quesadilla

Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

A bowl of Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits.
Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

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

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 transform leftover mashed potatoes into a crispy, tender dish. In just 15 minutes, you can turn leftovers into a filling breakfast or snack using only a skillet.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Pancakes

Brisket Chili

Brisket chili in a bowl topede with green onions and avocado.
Brisket Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Brisket chili is a thick, tomato-based dish filled with beans, peppers, and corn, offering a great way to use up leftover beef brisket. This hearty chili is perfect for when you want to transform leftovers into a comforting and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Chili

Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie

An image of Leftover 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 entirely from leftovers. It’s an easy way to repurpose roast beef from dinner, giving you a hearty dish with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie

Tri Tip Sandwich

A tri tip sandwich on a plate.
Tri Tip Sandwich. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

A tri-tip sandwich is a quick and easy way to make use of leftover tri-tip roast. With just a few ingredients, this sandwich offers a tasty way to enjoy your leftover beef without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Tri Tip 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 can be made in just 20 minutes. It’s a perfect solution for repurposing leftover cooked chicken into a flavorful, quick meal that saves time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups

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

Ham, broccoli, and cheese crescent cups are a versatile way to use up leftover ham while creating a delicious breakfast, brunch, or snack. With just a handful of ingredients, you can make these in no time, making it a convenient go-to for leftover ham.
Get the Recipe: Ham, Broccoli and Cheese Crescent Cups

Steak Fajitas

Two pots of Leftover Roast Beef Stew.
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 up leftover steak, turning it into a quick and satisfying dinner without much prep.
Get the Recipe: Steak Fajitas

Brisket Baked Potatoes

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

Loaded BBQ brisket baked potatoes are stuffed with leftover beef brisket, turning them into a hearty and filling meal. This simple recipe is an excellent way to repurpose brisket leftovers while adding bold flavors to a comforting dish.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Baked Potatoes

Hot Turkey Sandwich

Hot Turkey Sandwich. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Diner-style hot turkey sandwiches with rich gravy, peas, and turkey slices are a delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. You may even want to plan for extra turkey just to enjoy these sandwiches the next day.
Get the Recipe: Hot Turkey Sandwich

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 make ahead and make great use of any fajita leftovers you may have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Wrap

Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ham and cannellini bean soup is a comforting, flavorful dish made from leftover ham and pantry staples. It’s an excellent way to use up ham leftovers, providing a hearty alternative to traditional soups like chicken noodle.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

Turkey Pot Pie

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

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie brings all your holiday leftovers together under a flaky puff pastry crust. This recipe is an easy way to make a hearty meal from turkey and other extras, perfect for feeding the family without starting from scratch.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie

Roast Beef Stroganoff

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

Leftover Roast Beef Stroganoff is a saucy, flavorful dish that takes advantage of pre-cooked roast beef. It’s a quick and easy way to repurpose your leftovers into a satisfying meal with minimal prep time.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Stroganoff

Roast Beef Stew

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

Leftover Roast Beef Stew turns roast beef leftovers into a filling and flavorful stew that’s perfect for family meals. This simple dish makes the most of your leftovers, creating a comforting option without much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Stew

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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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