Re-making meals...no leftovers left behind!

We hate to waste food. Of course, there is only so many times you want to eat a single meal in a week as well. One way around this is to make a different meal with it. When I plan my menu for the week - I also plan to use the leftovers.

This week, I made spaghetti with meatballs and used the remaining meat sauce to add to the tomatoes for the chili I made later in the week. The left over chili will be for chili dogs for the guys to have during the game tomorrow. Plus, I can add some shredded cheese to some, melt it down, top with sour cream to use as a dip for snacks during game time too.
I've got the last of the roasted chicken simmering on the stove right now. I'll freeze some of the stock for later use, and the chicken and the rest of the stock will be used for Chicken and Noodle soup this Monday...That's 4 dinners, a lunch and a snack from 2 meals.

There are many ways to re-make leftovers into another meal so that you are not throwing food away - therefore throwing away the money you spent on it - and the time you already spent on preparing it!

When you plan your menu for the week - you pretty much know what meals are going to create leftovers. Plan to use those leftovers by planning a casserole, soup, fajita, stew, soup and sandwich night, add it to a salad, or toss it into a sauce for a pasta dish. It not only saves you money, but it saves you time as well - think of how much extra some people are paying to purchase precooked meats, just because it makes meal preparation quicker. You're doing the same thing for yourself without the added expense.

Even if what is left over from a meal is minute, you can add it to a side dish. If you're making a potato or macaroni salad - toss in some diced up left over chicken, ham, or beef. Make a dirty rice with what was left from the last meal or two. Use it as a little something extra in a pasta side dish. Make a little gravy and serve it over pasta or rice as even a side dish if it's not enough for a main course.
While wasting food is a major budget buster - using leftovers wisely is a major time saver, and it will stretch your menu options, not to mention save you time in the long run.