You’re Definitely Going to Want Leftovers of These 19 Meals

These meals aren’t just great for dinner—they’re the kind you’ll be excited to eat again tomorrow. Whether you're packing lunch or digging into leftovers straight from the fridge, each dish here pulls its weight a second time. We’re talking big flavor, solid textures, and stuff that actually holds up. If you’re someone who likes to cook once and stretch it out, this is where you want to be.

Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl. — Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This mildly spiced rasta pasta comes together in 30 minutes with simple ingredients and bold flavor. It holds up well for lunch the next day, making it a strong pick when you want something easy and worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Kung Pao Tofu

Kung Pao tofu is fast, crunchy, and full of bold sauce that clings to the tofu and veggies. It reheats well and still packs flavor and texture the next day, so it's a smart choice when planning ahead.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Tofu

Spicy Soba Noodles

These spicy soba noodles are quick to make and loaded with nutty flavor, fresh veggies, and heat. They keep their texture and flavor cold or hot, which makes leftovers an easy win.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Soba Noodles

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken is rich and packed with spice, ready in about half an hour. The sauce stays creamy after reheating, making leftovers just as solid as the first plate.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Five Spice Chicken Stir Fry

This five spice chicken stir fry is bold, fast, and full of crisp-tender veggies. It’s the kind of meal that tastes just as good when you heat it up again, which makes it a practical option for next-day lunch.
Get the Recipe: Five Spice Chicken Stir Fry

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon. — Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bucatini cacio e pepe uses just three ingredients but still lands big on flavor. The pasta stays firm and holds up well in leftovers, making it a strong choice for a simple but repeat-worthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

This cheesy bacon hasselback chicken has a crisp top and a creamy center that stays rich even after reheating. It’s great when you want something easy to make now and just as good tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi fried rice is fast, bold, and full of tangy spice. It’s the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day, so leftovers are something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Fried Rice

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Instant Pot pork chops are quick, tender, and cooked with the kind of flavor that seeps all the way through. They reheat easily without going dry, which makes them great to keep around.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Sesame Tofu

Crispy sesame tofu with caramelized veggies is full of texture and nutty sauce that clings to everything. It’s quick, bold, and built to taste just as good again the next day.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Tofu

Chicken Milanese

Chicken Milanese is quick, crisp, and coated with garlic and parmesan. The breading holds up better than most when stored right, which makes it a smart choice if you want extras.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Milanese

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

An overhead image of sun dried tomato pasta in a rectangular dish. — Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This sun dried tomato pasta uses one pot, takes 30 minutes, and comes packed with creamy cheese and tomato flavor. It stores well and reheats without losing the sauce’s texture, making it a solid option for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma has a rich tomato base, soft eggplant, and fresh basil—all in 30 minutes. It keeps its flavor and texture well, making it easy to heat up again and still feel like dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma

Korean Tofu Soup

Spicy Korean tofu soup is fast, bold, and warming, made with soft tofu and deep mushroom broth. It's one of those meals that only gets deeper in flavor overnight, making leftovers well worth it.
Get the Recipe: Korean Tofu Soup

Thai Basil Pork

Thai Basil Pork comes together fast with sweet, salty, and spicy flavor in every bite. It holds onto its flavor well in the fridge, so it’s a smart pick when you want something to reach for later.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Pork

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango avocado salad takes just 15 minutes and pairs fruit with a sharp vinaigrette. It holds up surprisingly well cold, which makes it great to keep on hand for another day.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Red Curry Chicken Noodle Soup

Red curry chicken noodle soup brings together coconut milk, curry paste, and noodles for something rich but easy. It tastes even better after sitting a day, which makes it one to make ahead or hang onto.
Get the Recipe: Red Curry Chicken Noodle Soup

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

This cottage cheese alfredo sauce is creamy, quick, and lighter than the usual version. It reheats easily without breaking, making it a strong choice for leftovers that stay smooth.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Thai coconut shrimp curry has big flavor from aromatics, coconut milk, and shrimp. It’s quick to throw together and holds up well, so extra portions are a bonus not a chore.
Get the Recipe: Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry