7 Easy And Inexpensive Dinner Ideas With Leftovers

As a woman on a budget, I understand the importance of making inexpensive, delicious, healthful meals that can feed my family for more than one meal. That’s why I’m always adding recipes to my repertoire that are easy and give us leftovers to have the next day.

Eating leftovers is a great way to save time and money. I personally believe that some dishes, like chili and spaghetti, are even better the next day! Make sure you have some dishwasher and microwave safe containers to store your leftovers in like Pyrex containers.

Here are a few of my all time favorite recipes:

1. Turkey Chili

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 3-6 Hours

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Ground Turkey
• 1 6oz can Tomato Paste
• 1 28oz can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 15oz can Black Beans, rinsed
• 1 15oz can White Beans, rinsed
• 1 cup Frozen Corn
• 1/2 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1/8 tsp Marjoram
• 2 tbsp Dark/Balsamic Vinegar (Optional)
• Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream (Optional)
• Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Cheese (Optional)
• Chopped White or Red Onion as garnish (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown turkey in olive oil in a medium skillet and season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile in a slow cooker, add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, black beans, white beans, corn, and seasonings.
3. Once turkey is browned, add to the slow cooker. Cook in slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
4. Once ready to serve, add 2 tablespoons of dark vinegar and stir. Serve in bowls and top with greek yogurt/sour cream, cheese, and onions. Enjoy!

Note: I like to use these slow cooker liners for easy clean-up: Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners 2 Pack. 

2. Spaghetti Bolognese

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Ground Turkey or Beef
• 1/2 medium Yellow Onion (Optional)
• 1 tsp Chopped Garlic or 1/4 tsp of Garlic Powder
• 1 jar Pasta Sauce (or make your own)
• 3/4 lb Whole Wheat or Multi Grain Spaghetti
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
2. In medium skillet, brown turkey or beef in 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Once turkey is browned, add onions and chopped garlic or garlic powder and cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Meanwhile, empty pasta sauce into a large microwave-safe container and microwave until hot, stirring every minute (Pasta sauce can alternatively be gently brought to a simmer in a large sauce pot on medium heat).
4. Once pasta sauce is heated, add browned turkey/beef and onions and set aside.
5. Once water comes to a boil, add spaghetti and cook to instructions on the package. Drain the spaghetti and add it to the sauce mixture.
6. Serve in bowls and enjoy!

3. Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Cooked Chicken
• 2 cups Stir Fry Veggies (Fresh or Frozen)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 2 cups Cooked Rice
• 2 tbsp low sodium Soy Sauce

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sesame oil over medium-high heat and add stir-fry veggies and cooked chicken. Heat until veggies are cooked through and chicken is heated – about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add Soy Sauce and cook until heated through – about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Place rice in bowls and top with chicken and veggies. Top with additional soy sauce, if desired. Enjoy!

4. Chicken Fried Rice

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Cooked Chicken
• 2 cups Cooked Brown Rice
• 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 small Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 cup Frozen Peas
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 Eggs, lightly beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat a large skillet on medium heat. Pour sesame oil in the bottom and add onion and peas and cook until tender and cooked through.
2. Move the onion and peas to the side of the pan, and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
3. Add the rice and chicken to the mixture. Pour the soy sauce on top. Stir and fry the rice and veggie mixture until heated through. Enjoy!

5. Turkey Meatloaf

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 55 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 large Egg
• ¼ cup Tomato Sauce
• ¼ cup Milk
• 1.5 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1 cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs
• 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
• ½ medium Sweet Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 2 tbsp Ketchup (Optional)
• 2 tsp Brown Sugar (Optional)
• 1 tsp Mustard (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a loaf pan or place foil on a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the egg, ketchup, milk, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Stir in the bread crumbs and then add the garlic and onion; mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Add the turkey and mix just until incorporated. Transfer the mixture to loaf pan or baking sheet lined with foil.
4. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard in a small bowl. Brush the loaf with the sauce mixture.
5. Bake until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with a side of Cooked Broccoli or your favorite vegetable and Enjoy!

6. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• Salt
• 1/2 large Yellow Onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups Cooked Brown Rice
• 1 cup Marinara
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar
• 4 Green Bell Peppers, tops removed and hollowed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat and brown the turkey, season with salt. Add onion and garlic and cook until turkey is cooked through and onions are tender. Season with salt.
2. In a large bowl, mix browned turkey, cooked rice, marinara, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Fill peppers with mixture and top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake until peppers are tender and mixture cooked through – about 30 minutes.

7. Chicken and Broccoli Quesadillas

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• 1 cup Frozen Broccoli
• 1/2 medium Yellow Onion
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cups Cooked Chicken
• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar
• Plain Greek Yogurt (Optional)
• Salsa (Optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high heat and add frozen broccoli. Heat until broccoli is heated through, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add cooked chicken and cook until heated through, about 3-4 minutes
3. Add Onion and cook until onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Set mixture aside.
4. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Place 1 tortilla in the skillet and place the chicken mixture and cheese and one side. Fold the other side of the tortilla over the mixture. Cook until browned on one side and then flip and brown on the other side.
5. Serve and top with greek yogurt and salsa, if desired. Enjoy!

Easy Shredded Chicken Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 3-6 hours

Yields: 3-5 portions

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs  Frozen Raw Chicken
• 1.5 cups water
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder or minced garlic

Instructions:

1. Add chicken and water to a slow cooker and season as you like.
2. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees.
3. Once cooked, shred using two forks.

-This recipe is great to make ahead of time and freeze into smaller portions for future use in salads, pasta, burritos, quesadillas, taco soup, and pretty much any meal you can think of.

For more delicious recipes, try one of my favorite cookbooks: “The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook” by America’s Test Kitchen (The healthiest option) and “Easy Everyday Cooking” by Better Homes and Gardens (The tastiest option for both beginners and advanced cooks).

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is the opinion of the author. The information provided in this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal, or other professional advice. Read and/or use any of the information from this post at your own risk. Some or all of the links displayed on this site may be affiliate links.