Overview
Slide 1 of 7
What mom doesn't love a meal that does double-duty? A family dinner that you can prepare once and -- presto, chango -- transform into another with minimal effort is a wondrous thing. Your family need not be the wiser as you take these dishes (delicious the first time) and rework them, with just a bit of additional effort, for a scrumptious reprise the next night.
Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
Salmon Filets to Salmon Croquettes
Slide 1 of 7
A key tip for creating any double-duty dish is to make sure than you buy enough extra (of the ingredient you'll be reinventing) for the second go-round. One spectacularly simple protein to repurpose is leftover salmon fillets. One night your family can enjoy them grilled or broiled, the next, they are reincarnated as elegant salmon croquettes. To make the croquettes from pre-cooked salmon, simply combine the fish, finely diced green peppers and a yellow onion and salt and pepper. Then, form into 3-inch-wide balls, roll in cornmeal, and fry in vegetable oil on a hot skillet until done. These are delicious served with dipping sauces (like ranch dressing, ketchup and hot sauce) and a green salad.
John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Grilled Chicken Into Pasta Dish
Slide 1 of 7
Nothing's easier to prepare than grilled chicken, though some of us may find our families a bit bored with the healthy, lean protein after a while. Why not give it a second life as the star of a pasta dish? This is an area where you can experiment wildly. Try different types of pasta -- elbows, bow-ties, even good old spaghetti -- and use your leftover chicken, chopped up into bite-size pieces, as the protein. You can add grilled veggies or store-bought sauce, or just go with extra-virgin olive oil as your topping. Another great thing about using leftover grilled chicken is that it goes equally well in a cold pasta salad, a great choice for a weekday lunch or weekend picnic dish.
Pasta with Grilled Chicken and Peppers image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com
Turkey Dinner to Tasty Casserole
Slide 1 of 7
It could be Thanksgiving, or you just had a hankering for turkey with all the trimmings. What to do with the leftovers? Simple -- transform them into a super-tasty casserole. After dinner No. 1 is through, simply remove the stuffing, pull the meat off the turkey carcass and refrigerate, covered -- along with all the side dishes -- overnight. If you want to get an extra-early start on repurposing your meal, you can assemble it the next morning. In a mixing bowl, combine equal parts turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and whatever else you had from your roast-turkey feast that might be tasty. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and blend just enough to incorporate the moisture. Then put your ingredients into a casserole dish, sprinkle the top with some bread crumbs, some dried onion rings and pats of butter. Then whenever you're ready, warm in the oven till heated through. This casserole is delicious served with a green salad.
Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
Burgers Become Lasagna
Slide 1 of 7
Burgers, of course, are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but they can also be a stealth, time-saving weapon in any cook's arsenal. Just grill a few extra patties and you have the basis for a delicious lasagna the next day. To make, simply crumble the cooled patties, add them to pasta sauce, and, according to package directions, layer the mixture with lasagna noodles (the no-boil type can shave valuable time from your preparation), ricotta and mozzarella, topping with more sauce and a sprinkling of mozzarella and Parmesan. Serve with a healthy salad and get ready for the raves to commence.
Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
Leftover Potatoes Go Au Gratin
Slide 1 of 7
Baked potatoes are a delicious staple of many dinners and, if you're smart and make a few extra, they could be transformed into delicious potatoes au gratin the next night. To prepare, peel the potatoes and slice them into quarter-inch-thick rounds. Then place a layer of the potatoes into a buttered baking dish, top with a light sprinkling of shredded Gruyere; repeat until the dish is nearly full. Then take heavy whipping cream and whisk with salt and pepper, pouring the liquid over the potatoes. Top with a layer of shredded Parmesan cheese and a dash of paprika. Bake until bubbly and golden-brown. Serve with a salad and a smile -- your family will definitely greet this dish with cheer.
Eising/Photodisc/Getty Images
-
Replay this slideshow
The End!
Slide 1 of 7
We hope you liked Take Two: Dishes Transformed Into Next-Day Meals. Start this slideshow over or check out one of these other slideshows.
Check out one of these slideshows!
-
Easy Stuffed Dinners
Kids love stuffed dishes -- they are fun to help make, satisfying and tasty. You’ll love them even more because they are simple to prepare ahead of time and heat up come dinnertime. Stuffed ...
-
Egg Dishes to Die For
Eggs -- they aren’t just what's for breakfast anymore. Indeed, a wealth of tasty and filling brunches, lunches and dinners can be whipped up for your family very quickly using eggs as the main ...
-
Chicken Dinners Get a Makeover
Thanks to its widespread availability and economical cost, chicken is easily one of the most popular weeknight family meals. That said, it's easy to get into a chicken rut. Instead of serving that ...
-
Take a Dip
Whether you’re looking for simple ways to get your kids to eat carrot sticks or need the perfect idea for an effortless party appetizer, dips always save the day. This superhero snack is easy ...
-
It's a Wrap
A classic sandwich always possesses a certain appeal, but sometimes people crave a little meal-time diversity. Instead of the same old meat smushed between two pieces of bread, pack a wrap for lunch ...
-
