Recipes Everyday Cooking Everyday Leftovers Recipes 15 Recipes We Think Are Better as Leftovers By Hayley Sugg Published on September 28, 2020 Close Photo: *Sherri* Nothing is worse than making a meal that creates subpar leftovers, making you choose between avoiding food waste or having a lunch you'll actually enjoy. But you don't have to worry about this conundrum with these 15 recipes. Each makes leftovers that are actually more delicious than the day they were prepared fresh. Try making a batch of stuffed peppers, a pot of stew, or layer up a lasagna. You'll not only be thankful to have leftovers, you'll be looking forward to eating them. 01 of 15 World's Best Lasagna View Recipe TheWickedNoodle Not only does lasagna taste more delicious the next day, it's way easier to cut and serve when it has had time to chill. This recipe takes a bit of prep time, but it's well worth it for the tasty leftovers you'll enjoy all week long. It's Officially Casserole Season — Here Are the 7 Pans You Need 02 of 15 Easy Chicken Enchiladas View Recipe Photo by LatinaCook. Since they're already soaked in flavorful sauce, you don't have to worry about enchiladas getting soggy like you would with tacos or burritos. Load them up the next day with all your favorite toppings; we like guacamole, sour cream, and fresh pico. 03 of 15 Beef Stew View Recipe lutzflcat Nothing benefits from a night in the fridge quite like a stew. It gives time for the flavors to meld and makes for an excellent leftover lunch as-is, or follow recipe creator Paula Antoniou's advice and serve it over biscuits. 04 of 15 Baked Ziti View Recipe chibi chef Layered with three types of gooey cheese, hearty ground beef, and rich tomato sauce, this baked ziti is a sure-fire favorite for both dinner and as a leftover. Make sure to cook your ziti noodles until al dente (slightly firm); otherwise they'll be mushy when reheated. 05 of 15 Best Damn Chili View Recipe *Sherri* This recipe title isn't an exaggeration. Featuring three types of chilis, fire roasted tomatoes, and even a bottle of beer, this chili is bursting with bold flavor that only intensifies overnight in the fridge. 06 of 15 Thai Chicken Curry in Coconut Milk View Recipe Elsa Packed with pieces of chicken breast, bell peppers, and onions, this Thai-inspired curry is simmered in a light coconut sauce. Serve the leftovers over rice or noodles. 07 of 15 The Best Meatloaf View Recipe Allrecipes Meatloaf is a classic choice of dishes that make great leftovers. Bake it the night before, and serve with mashed potatoes and veggies, then the next day it will be ready for a deliciously sloppy sandwich. 10 Best Side Dishes for Meatloaf 08 of 15 My Favorite Chicken Salad View Recipe Kim's Cooking Now Chicken salad should always be made ahead. Not only does that give the recipe time to chill, it lets the bold flavors shine through with ingredients like sweet pickle relish, celery, pecans, and fresh dill. Eat it as-is, with crackers, or stuffed into a sandwich. 09 of 15 Chana Masala View Recipe Elizabeth Faranda This easy recipe for chana masala, chickpeas cooked in a spiced tomato sauce, is ready in just 20 minutes. It will be even tastier the next day, ready to be served up over rice or with a piece of fluffy naan bread. 10 of 15 Sweet and Spicy Ginger Beer Pulled Pork View Recipe Happyschmoopies Pulled pork is tasty on its second day, and the best way to use up leftovers is shredding it for putting into tacos or sandwiches. This recipe has a tropical vibe thanks to the ginger beer brine, so pair it with some pineapple salsa or Caribbean barbecue sauce. 11 of 15 Chef John's American Goulash View Recipe Photo by Chef John. Chef John "This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple--perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation," says Chef John. Stir the fresh parsley into individual bowls, instead of the whole pot, to avoid sad and soggy parsley when you reheat it. 12 of 15 Zippy Shepherd's Pie View Recipe Scientist_by_Day_Cook_by_Night Any shepherd's pie makes excellent leftovers, but this "zippy" version does especially well. With bold flavors from Worcestershire sauce, a dash of curry powder, and a little ketchup, it's even tastier the next day. 13 of 15 Stuffed Mexican Peppers View Recipe *Sherri* The lovely thing about stuffed peppers is that they never get soggy, even when reheated as leftovers. This version features ground beef, rice, and spicy tomato sauce. 14 of 15 Good New Orleans Creole Gumbo View Recipe AJW Decadent and time-consuming to make, gumbo isn't something you'll want to whip up every day. But this recipe makes 20 servings, perfect for plenty of leftovers, and it freezes well, too. Set aside a few hours on a weekend to make it, and you'll be rewarded with New Orleans flavor all week long. No One Cooks a Gumbo Like Your Mawmaw, But Even She Would Approve of These Cajun Recipes 15 of 15 Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes View Recipe bd.weld There's no way to make sloppy joes ahead of time with their soft buns, but this baked potato version skips right over that issue. Recipe creator Michelle Kline describes it as, "Quick, hearty, and easy!" Browse more Everyday Leftovers Recipes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit