Make meals go further with these leftover hacks

Make meals go further

Leftovers aren't just for Christmas. With a little planning, a lot of inspiration and clever use of store-cupboard and fresh ingredients, you can stretch every meal without getting bored – saving money and wasting less food in the process. Here’s how to turn your leftovers into something new and delicious.

Leftover roast beef

A slow-cooked joint of juicy beef is the ultimate treat meal. It's also a cost-effective way to add meat to a number of different dishes, from salads and sandwiches to stews and noodle soup.

Try it: cold roast beef with dill and mustard

It's hard to beat cold cuts with a piquant dressing. Whizz up a sauce from Dijon mustard, dill, vinegar, sugar and olive oil to drizzle over cold beef and watercress. Add a hunk of crusty bread for a light but satisfying dinner. It also makes a great sandwich filling.

Get the recipe for cold roast beef with dill and mustard here

Try it: beef noodle soup

Pile leftover slices of beef, plus beansprouts and bok choy into a steaming bowl of noodle soup. It's quick to assemble, and the aromatic spices and fresh chilli, lime and coriander take the meat in a completely different direction.

Get the recipe for beef noodle soup here

Leftover mash

Comforting mashed potato goes with pretty much any meat, fish or veg, but what do you do when it starts to feel boring? Luckily, it can be rustled into a new dish in minutes. Have a go at smoked salmon fish cakes or potato gnocchi.

Try it: smoked salmon fish cakes

When you’ve got leftover mashed potato, step one of salmon fish cakes is already complete. Skip straight to adding in the smoked salmon, mackerel, herbs, horseradish, spring onion and lemon zest. The little beauties are then fried and served with zingy garlic mayo.

Get the recipe for smoked salmon fish cakes here

Try it: tomato and basil gnocchi

Making gnocchi is easier than you think. The secret to these little dumplings is to make the mashed potato as lump-free as possible, then after seasoning, mix with flour and knead. We love gnocchi with a rich tomato and basil sauce.

Get the recipe for tomato and basil gnocchi here

Leftover bolognese

You can make bolognese from any mince but beef or pork are the most popular. It's usually served on top of pasta, but there are plenty of other ways to use it – it's incredibly versatile, so make extra and you have the basis for several completely different meals.

Try it: loaded nachos

Reheat bolognese sauce then spoon it over tortilla chips with guacamole, jalapeños and plenty of cheese. It's the ideal, low-effort snack – and none of your leftovers will go to waste.

Get the recipe for loaded nachos here

Try it: stuffed peppers

Leftover bolognese can be reheated and spooned into halved and deseeded peppers. Top with grated cheese and place under a hot grill for 10 minutes for a healthy and light dinner.

Leftover pork belly

Roast pork belly is the gift that keeps on giving. If you can resist second helpings the crisp and succulent leftover meat makes a wonderful addition to a number of new dishes.

Try it: pork tacos with pineapple

If you've got ready-cooked pork belly, the hard work is already done to make these crowd-pleasing tacos. All you need to do is make the avocado and onion salsa and chop up the pineapple, which makes a lovely sweet and sour accompaniment to the rich meat.

Get the recipe for pork tacos with pineapple here

Try it: pork hash cakes

Roast vegetable and pork hash cakes are made using leftover pork belly and veg combined with cooked potato, making it the perfect simple supper to follow a blowout lunch. Top with a runny poached egg to finish the dish.

Get the recipe for pork hash cakes here

Leftover roasted squash

You’ll be amazed at how many things you can do with roasted squash. The soft, sweet veg is just as at home as an addition to a meal as it is centre stage. It can even be incorporated into baked treats too.

Try it: asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl

Add roasted butternut squash, asparagus and salmon to a bed of brown rice for a colourful and healthy dinner. A sprinkling of chopped peanuts, a squeeze of lemon, a few slices of fresh chilli and chopped coriander are the final touch.

Get the recipe for asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl here

Try it: squash and saffron pappardelle

A super speedy meal and a great way to use leftover roasted butternut squash. Squash and saffron pappardelle is bright, sweet, rich and smoky. A crumbling of blue cheese takes it to new levels and a spooning of crème fraîche makes it smooth and saucy.

Get the recipe for squash and saffron pappardelle here

Leftover broccoli

If you've got some broccoli leftover from yesterday's dinner, you can easily repurpose it for more meals. In particular, it goes really well with cheesy and carby dishes, adding much needed green, but it can also be thrown into stir-fries.

Try it: broccoli and Gorgonzola quiche

Broccoli and Gorgonzola complement each other beautifully in quiche, and you can give it a kick by adding chilli. Any other green vegetables you have lying around would work wonders in this too. Use shop-bought pastry to make it extra speedy.

Get the recipe for broccoli and Gorgonzola quiche here

Try it: kung pao broccoli

Recycle roasted broccoli in this spicy but simple dish that sees the cooked veggie coated with a sweet and sour, sticky Sichuan-style sauce and put under the grill to crisp up. Toasted nuts, jalapeños and spring onions are sprinkled on top for texture, tang and heat.

Get the recipe for kung pao broccoli here

Leftover rice

It's hard to cook the perfect portion of rice and there's almost always some left. The good news is we've got some great ideas for surplus grains. There are many things you can do, including crispy arancini balls and a fancy fried rice dish.

Read our essential advice on reheating food (including rice) here

Try it: arancini

The crispy Italian starter usually consists of risotto rice coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. However, there's no reason you can't make it with other types of rice. Add grated Parmesan, mozzarella, cooked mushrooms or pesto. Serve with a fresh tomato salsa.

Get the recipe for arancini here

Try it: prawn and cabbage fried rice

Day-old rice is actually the best kind for fried rice. This recipe with prawns and cabbage is one of our favourites. The leafy green adds crunch to the dish and the combination of wok-fried garlic, juicy prawns and sweet petit pois is wonderful.

Get the recipe for prawn and cabbage fried rice here

Leftover sausages

Got a few sausages kicking around the fridge? Save having to make the same meal again and again by adding the chopped pieces to casseroles, risottos and pasta dishes.

Try it: sausage and veg roast

Make a one-pan roast of crispy new potatoes, crunchy asparagus, sweet vine tomatoes, roasted garlic and leftover sausage. Allow the new potatoes to crisp up first, then add the cooked sausages at the final stage, along with the rest of the vegetables.

Get the recipe for sausage and veg roast here

Try it: sausage, asparagus and pea risotto

A risotto is another great way to use up sausages and you probably have all the ingredients you need in the cupboard already. Add the cooked sausage in slices during the last 10 minutes of making this creamy asparagus and pea risotto, the family will have no idea it’s made from leftovers.

Get the recipe for sausage, asparagus and pea risotto here

Leftover corn on the cob

Corn on the cob smothered in butter, herbs and salt makes a great side or snack. Whether you boiled it or grilled it, there are plenty of things you can do with what's left. The same applies to opened tins of sweetcorn.

Try it: corn fritters

If you have a couple of corn on the cob leftover, remove the kernels and combine with flour, cayenne pepper, onion, milk and eggs to make mouthwatering sweetcorn fritters. Fry until golden and serve with a poached egg for breakfast or fresh salsa for a speedy lunch.

Get the recipe for corn fritters here

Try it: corn, lentil and squash chowder

Leftover corn works a treat in Caribbean-style chowder with lentils, squash, coconut milk, garlic, thyme and scotch bonnet chilli. It makes a great vegan alternative to seafood chowder and is full of fresh and warming flavours.

Get the recipe for corn, lentil and squash chowder here

Leftover spinach

If you find a bag of green leaves in the fridge that needs eating or have some cooked spinach leftover, do not fear: there are plenty of recipes begging to be made.

Try it: spinach and Cheddar muffins

These spinach and Cheddar muffins are a great snack and particularly good for those who prefer savoury food. All that’s required is cooked spinach, nutmeg, flour, baking powder, milk and grated cheese.

Get the recipe for spinach and Cheddar muffins here

Try it: spinach and ricotta gnudi

These tender dumplings made from ricotta and flour require a little effort but once you've got the technique down you'll be richly rewarded. They're best served unadorned with a little melted butter.

Get the recipe for spinach and ricotta gnudi here

Leftover roast chicken

Does anyone ever finish a whole roast chicken in one meal? Luckily there are tonnes of great ways to repurpose it including sandwiches and stir-fries, so you don’t have to eat the same dinner twice.

Try it: chicken and basil sandwich

Homemade chicken sandwiches are the perfect way to use up leftover roast chicken. A tangy dressing muddled with sun-blushed tomatoes and basil keeps it from being boring. You could even sneak in a couple of slices of mozzarella then toast it.

Get the recipe for chicken and basil sandwich here

Try it: chicken chow mein

Chicken chow mein is always a winner and you can make a sped-up version using shredded leftover chicken. So, skip the takeout and give it a go at home – we guarantee it'll be cheaper and tastier.

Get the recipe for chicken chow mein here

Leftover steak

At some point we've all pan-fried a succulent steak that was so big and filling we couldn’t finish it. However, steak is far too good to put in the bin. Try reinventing what’s left in a Sichuan-style stir-fry or Italian salad.

Try it: steak and rocket salad

The most simple and satisfying of salads: sliced steak, Parmesan and rocket with a dressing of olive oil, garlic, rosemary and lemon juice. It’s calling out for your leftovers.

Get the recipe for steak and rocket salad here

Try it: Sichuan beef stir-fry

One way to make the most of leftover steak is a fiery Sichuan beef dish infused with soy, ginger, garlic and Chinese five spice. Skip the marinating stage and start by frying peppers, then adding the chopped leftover steak and sauce. Dial up or down the heat according to your personal preference.

Get the recipe for Sichuan beef here

Leftover ham

Whether you have a little or a lot left, leftover ham can be added to pasta and potato dishes to pep them up with its salty, sweet flavour.

Try it: ham croquettes

Bring some tapas to your table. Replace the serrano ham in this crunchy croquette recipe with finely chopped ham or gammon. It works just as well in the oozing béchamel centre.

Get the recipe for ham croquettes here

Try it: ham and egg linguine

Leftover ham, linguine, spring onions, mustard, honey and parsley come together to make this comforting pasta dish. It's topped with a poached egg and when you break the yolk it runs into the sauce. We challenge you to find something quicker or more satisfying.

Get the recipe for ham and egg linguine here

Leftover roasted veg

Roasted veg is a batch-cooking essential, delicious on its own or as an accompaniment to meat, for example pan-fried fish or grilled chicken breasts. Here's how you can incorporate what's left into new dishes.

Try it: vegetable lasagne

Give roasted Mediterranean veg a new lease of life in a speedy one-pot lasagne. Soften garlic and onions in an ovenproof pan, then throw in cooked veggies and a tin of chopped tomatoes. Once heated through, in go the pasta sheets. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella and slide under the grill until bubbling and golden.

Get the recipe for vegetable lasagne here

Try it: Brie and veg tart

A vegetable tart is a super easy way to use up leftovers. Make it indulgent by adding grated Cheddar to the pastry and topping with chunks of creamy Brie and sesame seeds. Or if you're short on time, use shop-bought puff or shortcrust pastry.

Get the recipe for Brie and veg tart here