26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (2024)

These recipes are the perfect choice when you want a delicious meal every day, but don't want to cook every night. Make and enjoy these dinners one night and then the leftovers will taste even better the next day. These recipes feature proteins like beef and chicken, which will reheat easily in the microwave. Dinners like Easy Lasagna and Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew are healthy, filling and enjoyable any day of the week.

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Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (1)

Ditch the baking dish and make this easy skillet broccoli, cheese and rice casserole. Cooking the casserole in a skillet keeps the flavors and textures fresh--no mushy, sad broccoli! Serve this easy side with baked chicken for a family-pleasing healthy dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes. It would also be a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread or a party buffet. Source: Eatingwell.com, September 2019

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Basic Meatloaf

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While meatloaf purists focus on the meat, we like to look at meatloaf as a way to pack extra veggies and whole grains into a meal, as we do in this healthy, classic meatloaf recipe. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2013

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Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (3)

In this vegetarian riff on a popular Indian dish, we swap in cauliflower and chickpeas for the chicken in tikka masala. The cauliflower's nooks and crannies are particularly good at soaking up all the intense flavors of the sauce. Serve over rice for an easy healthy dinner that's ready in just 20 minutes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September 2019

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Mom's Chili

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This healthy basic beef chili recipe is well worth doubling so you can throw a batch in the freezer. Serve topped with diced red onion, sliced scallions, shredded cheese and your favorite hot sauce. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2016

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Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (5)

Stuffing is not just for Thanksgiving with this easy chicken and stuffing casserole. And speaking of Thanksgiving, if you have leftover turkey, feel free to substitute it for the chicken in this comforting and healthy recipe. It's also a great use for extra carrots, celery, onions and day-old bread you might have on hand around the holidays. There's no boxed stuffing mix or canned soup in this lighter take on the comfort-food casserole, but it's still super-easy to make. Poultry seasoning helps humble bread to taste like stuffing, while thickened chicken broth takes the place of canned soup. There are plenty of veggies in this one, too, making this a healthy casserole you can feel good about serving year-round. Source: Eatingwell.com, September 2019

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Slow-Cooker Easy Jerk Pork Shoulder

The name of this recipe says it all: It's an easy, mostly hands-off jerk pork dish that comes together in a snap. The cayenne provides a little heat, but mostly the slow-cooker pork shoulder gets its flavor from the cinnamon and allspice. The bright salsa-pineapple topping cools the dish off and gives it a pretty, dinner-party-worthy appearance. Serve the meat alone, or pile it on buns for sandwiches or shredded atop nachos. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

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Easy Lasagna

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This classic beef lasagna recipe is easy to make and will be ready to eat in just over an hour. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Chicken, Peppers & Pasta Casserole

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You can assemble this healthy chicken casserole before you leave for a party and pop it in the oven at the host's house. Or bake it at home and bring it along--it's delicious at room temperature too. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2017

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Stew

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Potatoes and beans make this tomato-based crock-pot vegetable stew super-hearty. You could also add briefly sautéed chunks of zucchini or fresh corn kernels just before serving, or add another can of cannellini beans for more substance. A dollop of pesto on top is also super-delicious. Adding homemade garlic croutons is an easy way to elevate this healthy dinner. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September 2019

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Spinach & Mushroom Tortellini Bake

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (9)

This cheesy tortellini bake is a dish the whole family will love--it's filled with sweet-tasting marinara, mushrooms and spinach and topped with melted cheese. Complete the meal, plus get in another vegetable serving, by adding a side of broccoli or a small green salad. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

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Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (10)

Prepare this dish the night ahead of time so all you have to do is pop it in the oven for an easy and delicious dinner. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Slow-Cooker Vegetable & Tofu Thai Stew

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26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (11)

Cauliflower and tofu are ideal ingredients for this soup. The cauliflower soaks up the cooking liquid, and the tofu keeps the dish light, allowing the bold flavors in the liquid--predominantly the curry paste and lemongrass--to take center stage in this slow-cooker tofu stew. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

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Cheesy Meatball Bake

Use leftover Italian meatball soup along with beans, reduced-fat cheese, tortillas and an easy tomato sauce to make a family-pleasing casserole that's great for weeknights. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

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It's hard to believe you can get such a full-flavored, deeply spiced chicken tikka masala in just 30 minutes, but we did it! And, like the title says, this classic chicken tikka masala recipe really is as easy as it gets. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

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Japanese Shiitake & Vegetable Rice (Takikomi Gohan)

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Dashi gives this vegetable rice recipe its savory depth. Rinsing the rice may seem like an extraneous step but it removes some of the surface starch for fluffier rice. And soaking the rice in seasoned dashi before cooking infuses the dish with more flavor. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2020

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Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

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Load the crock pot and go with this stew recipe that's prepped in the morning and simmers all day so you'll come home to a Sunday-worthy dinner (and your house smelling downright heavenly). Tender beef, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes and carrots in a rich broth--this could be the best and easiest beef stew you've ever made. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2017

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Chicken-Noodle Casserole

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Flavorful Chicken-Noodle Casserole comes to life with this diabetic-friendly recipe. Select light sour cream to lower fat and calorie content. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Hungarian Beef Goulash

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This streamlined goulash skips the step of browning the beef, and instead coats it in a spice crust to give it a rich mahogany hue. This saucy dish is a natural served over whole-wheat egg noodles. Or, for something different, try prepared potato gnocchi or spaetzle. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2008

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Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

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This cheesy eggplant casserole has a light custard with deliciously tender and flavorful summer vegetables and fresh herbs. The cheese makes this easy dish creamy and decadent. Enjoy it for brunch or dinner with a green salad on the side. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2020

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Chicken & Tomatillo Enchiladas

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Roasting tomatillos before pureeing them into a green enchilada sauce adds another dimension of flavor and a little sweetness. Put out plenty of toppings so everyone can add what they like. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June 2020

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Slow-Cooker Middle Eastern Meatballs with Raita

This meal features dense and tender lamb meatballs, creamy and refreshing cucumber raita--a traditional Indian sauce made with yogurt and vegetables--and whole-wheat couscous, a grain-like pasta that can be found at most supermarkets. Garnish these slow-cooker meatballs with fresh dill sprigs, and serve with lightly toasted pita, if desired. Source: Everyday Slow Cooker

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One-Pot Coconut Milk Curry with Chickpeas

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The assortment of vegetables in this vegan one-pot dish add varying textures and flavors to make each forkful exciting. The sweet potato balances the savory spices nicely. Serve this bright and flavorful curry with rice or rice noodles. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2020

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Crock-Pot Pineapple Chicken

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This slow-cooker chicken with pineapple has a hint of ginger and sesame and is made with simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry! Look for fresh pineapple that's been peeled and cored already to make assembly even easier. Serve with brown rice to sop up the sweet and savory sauce. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Turkey & Sweet Potato Chili

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This healthy turkey chili has a nice balance of flavors thanks to sweet potatoes and smoky chipotle chiles. We like to garnish it with creamy avocado, but melted cheese, chopped scallion and a dollop of sour cream will work well too. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2020

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One-Pot Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta

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This comforting one-pot pasta dish has a Southwestern kick. Chili powder and pico de gallo flavor the dish, while melted Mexican cheese adds a creamy finish. Top it with your favorite fixings like scallions, cilantro and sour cream, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2020

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Creamy Lemon Chicken Parmesan

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This riff on classic chicken Parmesan replaces the usual marinara with a luscious lemony cream sauce. We've lightened it up by using half-and-half instead of cream, with just-as-delicious results. Serve this lemony chicken dinner with whole-wheat pasta or brown rice. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2018

26 Recipes That Are Even Better as Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

What meals are better as 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 meal tastes even better the next day? ›

Science has proved that some dishes just taste better the next day – think bolognese, stews, curries, lasagnes and soups. Plus, with the right storage, you'll retain all those important nutrients and freshness. See, patience really does make the heart grow fonder!

What meals are best to reheat? ›

Meals that are baked in the oven, including baked pastas, enchiladas and other casserole-style dishes, are prime for reheating, whereas fried food won't keep or reheat well at all.

What are the most popular leftovers? ›

Soups, Chilis & Stews

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 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 food tastes better with age? ›

It's not only wine and cheese that get better with age, some other foods taste better with a little bit of time.
  • 1Tiramisu. Prepare tiramisu a day in advance. ...
  • 2Lasagne. ...
  • 3Syrup cake. ...
  • 4Curry. ...
  • 5Brownies. ...
  • 6Sour cream banana cake. ...
  • 7Moussaka. ...
  • 8Pulled pork.

What is actually the best meal of the day? ›

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, but should it be? For some, skipping breakfast can be detrimental to their day — especially for kids — but others may feel better fasting until lunch. Experts agree that while breakfast provides benefits, one meal isn't more important than the other.

What is the best tasting food of all time? ›

22 Best Dishes in The World You Must Try Once In Your Life
  • Sushi (Japan) Source Prepared with vinegared rice and a wide range of ingredients including seafood, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. ...
  • Rendang, Indonesia. ...
  • Ramen, Japan. ...
  • Tom Yam Goong, Thailand. ...
  • Kebab, Turkey. ...
  • Pho, Vietnam. ...
  • Peking duck, China. ...
  • Paella, Spain.

What food tastes the best reheated? ›

10 Meals That Taste Better the Next Day
  • Spaghetti Sauce. ...
  • Dal. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Chicken Pot Pie. ...
  • Moussaka. ...
  • Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Braised Cabbage. We love how cabbage softens when cooked so that by the next day it practically melts in your mouth. ...
  • Chickpea Salad. It's not only warm dishes that gain flavour when you eat them later!

What food is cooked cold and reheated must be reheated to? ›

The State Sanitary Code now requires that the entire mass of all cooked and refrigerated potentially hazardous food which is to be reheated must be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above within two hours, and held above 140 degrees Fahrenheit until served.

What is the most popular dish ever? ›

Pizza, from Italy. Ramen, from Japan. Burger, from the United States.

What is the rarest dish? ›

From exotic insects to unusual delicacies, today we bring you some of the rarest dishes in the world.
  • FUGU FISH (JAPAN) This much-loved dish of Japanese cuisine is as exotic as it is dangerous. ...
  • BALUT (PHILIPPINES) ...
  • SHEEP'S EYE JUICE (MONGOLIAN) ...
  • CRISPY TARANTULA (CAMBODIA)

Why are some foods better as leftovers? ›

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.

What can I eat to replace dinner? ›

With that said, let's look at some of the best meal replacement foods we've found.
  • Store-Bought Shakes and Drinks. ...
  • Homemade Smoothies. ...
  • Bake-your-Own Energy Bars. ...
  • Soups and Bone Broths. ...
  • Classic Crunchy (Healthy) Snacks in a Bag.
Mar 10, 2021

Why do I prefer leftovers? ›

Enhanced Flavors.

Many dishes improve with time. Soups, stews, and sauces often taste better the next day after their ingredients have had more time to meld together. That's not myth, that's science. Flavor molecules have more time to make their way around a dish the longer the dish sits.

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. (

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