Cook Once, Eat Twice Dinners
Cook once, eat twice dinners includes combinations of common base main dish recipes and two or more recipes you can use to repurpose the leftovers.
Save time, money, sanity and reduce food waste by choosing from these ideas!
One way to maximize your time in the kitchen is to cook once and eat twice.
You make a main dish meal on Sunday and on Wednesday, you’re using the leftover meat for a whole new dish.
It saves time and money and reduces waste. Yes please!
Tips & Tricks:
Double Up. Make a second roast chicken in the oven at the same time. Add a second sheet pan of simply seasoned baked chicken breasts or thighs that can be re-used. Have a second skillet going to cook extra ground meat while you’re already standing and stirring. Throw more meat on the grill, etc.
Plan Both Meals. If you plan what you’re doing with the leftovers, you can buy those groceries in the same trip and be ready to go. You can also pre-chop or shred the meat to save yourself time on a busier night.
Freeze Extra. When you can’t use the extras immediately or still have leftovers, go ahead and freeze them for another week. Just be sure to label and date!
When in Doubt. Forgot to plan for the extras? Here are a few ideas that can potentially work with most any meat: Grain bowl, fried rice, big salad, soup, flatbread or tostada, skillet hash, sliders, or get creative with sandwiches, wraps or pizzas.
OK, let’s get into the recipes.
Below you will find a chart with the original main or base recipe, arranged by protein, including a recipe link and two or more coordinating recipes that use the leftovers.
Note: Some of the secondary recipes might need to be adjusted, like skipping cooking the protein since you’ve already got extra you’re using.
Click on any title or photo to be taken to the original recipe website for full ingredients and instructions.
Cook Once, Eat Twice Dinner Ideas
Make the most of your time in the kitchen by cooking once and making two meals. Start with a main dish protein and pick a corresponding recipe. Now you have a clear plan on how to repurpose your leftovers for a brand new dinner another night!
Poultry Recipes (Chicken & Turkey)
No matter the cut, find ways to batch cook your favorite poultry and use the leftovers.
Whole Chicken
Easy Healthy Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Top
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredient count: 12
Step count: 13
Baked Chicken Breasts or Thighs
Fast Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Twice-Baked Potatoes
Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredient count: 8
Step count: 11
Shredded Chicken
BBQ Shredded Chicken
Roast Turkey
Ground Turkey
Pork Recipes
Pork recipes are great for big batch cooking and often make a lot. Browse below to find some favorite combinations.
Pulled Pork
Roast Pork Loin
Tender and Juicy Pork Loin Roast Recipe
Total time: 1 hours 25 minutes
Ingredient count: 14
Step count: 9
Carnitas
Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Pulled Pork)
Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Ingredient count: 10
Step count: 4
Ham
Beef Recipes
Using a large cut of meat or doubling up can be very budget-friendly and it’s easy to use leftovers for new meals.
Pot Roast
Creamy Shredded Beef Enchiladas (With Leftover Roast Beef)
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredient count: 6
Step count: 5
Ground Beef
Brisket
Braised Short Ribs
Flank or Skirt Steak
Steak Salad with the Best Steak Salad Dressing
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredient count: 18
Step count: 4
Vegetarian Recipes
No meat needed! These vegetarian-friendly recipes put beans and legumes front and center and make smart use of cooking a big batch.
Black Beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
Marry Me Chickpeas (With Creamy Tuscan Sauce)
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredient count: 10
Step count: 3
I hope this helps you save time in the kitchen.
Have a recipe you’d like to see included? Or other suggestions or feedback? Let us know!
You might also be interested in these dump and go slow cooker meals, back up emergency dinners and my favorite 15-minute dinners for more easy ways to get dinner on the table, again.
