Using leftovers can make meal preparation easier, reduce food waste and save time. Just about anything leftover can go into a stir-fry, casserole, soup or salad!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Vegetables and Fruit

• Add leftover cooked vegetables to green salad, omelette, pasta, soup or casserole.
• Use extra fruit to top cereal, pancakes or waffles, or mix fruit with yogurt or cottage cheese. You can also add fruit to muffins or make into sauces like applesauce.
• Freeze overripe bananas and use in loaves and muffins.

Whole Grain Foods

• Chill leftover cooked whole grain pasta to make pasta salad, soups or casseroles.
• Use leftover cooked whole grain rice in soups or casseroles. Use whole grain bread to make crumbs to coat chicken or fish, to make dressing/stuffing, or as a casserole topping.
• Cube whole grain bread to make bread pudding or use for croutons (sprinkle with spices and toast in the oven) in salads or soups.

Protein Foods

• Add leftover cooked ground beef or canned beans to soup, casseroles, chili, pasta dishes, tacos or stuffed peppers.
• Use leftover salmon (fresh or canned) to make salmon cakes or as a sandwich filling.
• Make shepherd’s pie or stew with leftover meat and vegetables.
• Use leftover cooked chicken, turkey, beef or pork in stir-fries, soups, casseroles, sandwiches or salads.