Cook Once, Eat Twice: Recipes That Turn Tonight's Dinner Into A Second Meal Tomorrow

Southern Living Low-And-Slow Beef Pot Roast in bowls to serve
Photo:

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Cook smarter, not harder, that's what we say. These recipes are designed to make leftovers, so that cooking the next day is a little faster and easier. If you have to put dinner on the table every night, you understand how much work that adds up to (especially the cleaning). With a little clever planning you can get two meals for the work of one, and that's why we call this our 'cook once, eat twice' series. Each primary recipe makes a little extra of a few key components, which the second recipe (listed below the first) cleverly turns into another meal to be enjoyed the next day. Get inspired by these double duty recipes that make the most out of your time in the kitchen.

01 of 10

Ginger-Citrus Pork Roast

Southern Living Ginger-Citrus Pork Roast on a plate to serve with rice and broccoli

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Turn this tender and juicy pork roast into a second meal with our refreshing recipe for Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps, which uses just a handful of additional ingredients.

02 of 10

Low-And-Slow Beef Pot Roast

Southern Living Low-And-Slow Beef Pot Roast in bowls to serve

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

If pot roast is already a staple in your household, make the meal go even further by turning leftovers into Po'Boys with Debris. They're served with extra gravy for dipping, just like they should be.

03 of 10

Smoky Black Bean Soup

Southern Living Smoky Black Bean Soup

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Putting on a big pot of soup is always a good idea, but it's even better when it can double as dinner the next night. Turn the flavorful leftovers of this soup into our Cheesy Black Bean Tostadas, which make an excellent quick lunch or dinner.

04 of 10

Roasted Lemon-Pepper Chicken

Southern Living Lemon-Pepper Roasted Chicken

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A roast chicken is always a great thing to have on hand, and this lemon pepper one is no exception. Use the extra meat to make our Spinach-And-Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, flavored with garlic that is roasted alongside the chicken.

05 of 10

Weeknight Bolognese

Southern Living Weeknight Bolognese

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Bolognese isn't typically a weeknight meal as it traditionally slow cooks for hours and hours. We take a few shortcuts to make the classic sauce not only faster, but double as dinner the next day in the form of Italian Sloppy Joes.

06 of 10

Skillet Beef Enchiladas

Skillet Beef Enchiladas

VICTOR PROTASIO, FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN, PROP STYLIST: LYDIA PURSELL

We love a one-pan meal, but we especially love one that does double duty and produces not one, but two meals. These enchiladas are a treat one night, and then become an Easy Chile Con Carne the next day.

07 of 10

Baked Lemon-Thyme Salmon

Baked lemon thyme salmon on a platter with roasted potatoes and green beans on a table with a small bowl of thyme, serving fork, and a napkin.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Lydia Pursell

This simple salmon supper keep things nice and easy for busy weeknights, and then transforms into a tasty Salmon Niçoise Salad that's perfect for hot summer days when you don't want to turn on the oven.

08 of 10

Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Chops

Two plates of honey-soy glazed pork chops with broccolini and cremini mushrooms on a table with forks and knives, a glass of water, and small bowls of pepper and sliced scallions.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This flavorful riff on your standard pork chop recipe earns extra credit points, as leftovers get folded into a super delicious Stir-Fried Pork and Noodles dish the next day.

09 of 10

Chicken Schnitzel With Cabbage-Carrot Slaw

Chicken Schnitzel with Cabbage-Carrot Slaw on a serving platter with a lemon wedge and serving spoon and fork on a table with a napkin, 3 plates, and a glass of water.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Ultra-crispy chicken cutlets are served with a tangy cabbage slaw one night, and then become delicious Crispy Chicken Sandwiches for dinner the next day. And don't worry, the cutlets don't get soggy with reheating.

10 of 10

Barbecue-Pork Pizza

Cut barbecue pork pizza on a cutting board on a table with a pizza cutter and two glasses of water beside.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Store-bought pizza dough is one of those shortcuts we always lean on for busy weeknights. We use leftover shredded pork from this easy pizza recipe to make a Quick Pork Ragù served over pasta the following day, yielding two meals with very little effort.

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