13 Easy Recipes Made From Leftover Ingredients

If your fridge is full of odds and ends from recent meals, these ideas help turn them into something worth getting excited about. Using simple methods and everyday ingredients, each dish brings a new twist to what you already have on hand. From cheesy pasta to savory hand pies and skillet quesadillas, these recipes make leftovers feel like something new. You’ll save time, skip the waste, and still end up with something that tastes great.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich

Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy between slices of bread for an easy meal. You can press it in a skillet or eat it cold depending on your mood. Each bite brings back the full holiday plate, all packed into one sandwich. It’s fast, satisfying, and uses up a lot in one go.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich

Leftover Turkey Hand Pies with Cranberry and Boursin

Flaky pastry wraps around a creamy mix of turkey, cranberry sauce, and Boursin cheese. Each pie bakes until golden and crisp on the outside with a soft, savory filling inside. The sweet and savory combo works well, making these pies feel more like a treat than a rerun. They travel well and taste great warm or cold.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Hand Pies with Cranberry and Boursin

Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta

Taco-seasoned beef mixes into pasta with plenty of melted cheese and a little salsa or cream. The bold spices from the meat carry through the whole dish without much extra seasoning. It’s creamy, fast, and always hits the mark on flavor. One pan is all you need.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Leftover Taco Meat Pasta

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Mild green chiles and tender chicken come together with just enough spice to keep it interesting. This dish works well over rice, wrapped in tortillas, or eaten as-is. The flavors are rich and bold, but the method is simple and fast. A solid option for repurposing cooked chicken without starting over.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Leftover Steak Soft Tacos

Reheat steak with a bit of seasoning, then stuff it into warm tortillas with toppings of your choice. The meat stays tender and picks up extra flavor from the skillet. You can keep it simple or build it out with beans, salsa, or avocado. These tacos come together in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Soft Tacos

Leftover Turkey Stroganoff

Sliced turkey gets simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce and served over egg noodles. The sauce comes together quickly with just a few pantry ingredients. It’s rich, hearty, and a great use for turkey that’s a little dry. This one makes dinner feel fresh without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Stroganoff

Leftover Steak Quesadilla

Thin slices of leftover steak get layered with cheese and grilled inside a tortilla. The cheese melts while the tortilla crisps up for a quick, satisfying meal. You can add peppers, onions, or salsa depending on what’s in the fridge. It’s a fast way to bring steak back to life.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla

Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Turkey, vegetables, and gravy go under a thick layer of mashed potatoes and bake until bubbling. The top gets golden while the filling stays warm and comforting underneath. It’s a full dinner in one dish that doesn’t feel like yesterday’s meal. You can swap in other ingredients depending on what you have.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Cold rice gets tossed in a hot pan with eggs, vegetables, and a splash of soy sauce. It’s a flexible recipe that can handle any bits of meat or veggies you want to use up. Everything cooks fast and comes together in one pan. A go-to option for making something fast and filling.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

This one-pot dish uses the pressure cooker to blend wild rice, vegetables, and turkey in a creamy broth. The result is a soft, rich casserole with very little effort. The turkey stays moist and the rice adds texture. It’s a good choice for using up large amounts of leftovers fast.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

Tasty Leftover Hearty Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

This soup uses leftover ham and white beans to create a thick, flavorful base. The ham gives it a smoky depth, and the beans make it filling without needing much else. It simmers into something rich and cozy with just a few pantry staples. Great for making a quick dinner out of leftover meat.
Get the Recipe: Tasty Leftover Hearty Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup

Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

Tender chunks of ham and vegetables are baked in a creamy sauce under a fluffy biscuit topping. The biscuits cook directly on top, soaking up some of the filling while staying crisp. It’s hearty, warm, and comes together quickly with just one pan. This is a great way to use up ham and stretch a few ingredients into a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Ham Pot Pie with Biscuits

Leftover Turkey Fried Rice

Shredded or chopped turkey mixes into fried rice with scrambled eggs, peas, and soy sauce. The hot pan helps keep the turkey tender while adding crisp edges to the rice. It’s fast, simple, and works well with whatever veggies you want to throw in. A good way to make turkey feel like a fresh start.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Fried Rice