Ensuring your family has a quality breakfast may feel like a challenge when you lead a busy life. However, it’s possible to juggle family, work, and cooking with a few creative methods. Consider this list of the best leftover foods to use in your next breakfast to make morning meals that your family will love.
Rice and Pasta
Leftover rice, pasta, and potatoes easily become the foundation for a delicious breakfast. Turn leftover rice into a savory breakfast porridge by simmering it with milk and spices. Or mix any cooked grain with an egg or two and fry it up. Try it! Toss plain, leftover pasta with eggs and cheese to create a quick frittata, or fry up leftover potatoes with onions and peppers for crispy hash browns. To add flavor variety I check my Epicure stash to see what kind of flavors might work. These transformations require minimal effort and are easy to prepare the night before, making your busy mornings smoother.
Leftover Vegetables
Vegetables are the star of your breakfast when creatively repurposed. Consider whipping up a veggie omelet or a breakfast hash. Sauté your vegetables in olive oil, add beaten eggs, and cook until your omelet has set.
Dice the veggies and fry them with Yukon Gold potatoes or sweet potatoes, adding spices such as cumin or paprika for extra flavor if a hash is more your style. Help your kids enjoy eating leftovers by creating animal shapes from your veggie hash. Your culinary efforts reduce food waste and ensure your family gets a good dose of fiber and vitamins to kickstart their day.
Leftover Flour Tortillas
Don’t throw away those last few tortillas! A savory breakfast quesadilla is one of the best ways to use leftover flour tortillas. Fill them with scrambled eggs, leftover veggies, and cheese, then roll or fold and heat until the tortillas are crispy. This meal is an ideal grab-and-go breakfast option, especially for those hectic mornings when everyone’s rushing out the door. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to clear the fridge without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Leftover Chicken
Chicken may not scream breakfast, but with a little creativity, it becomes a morning staple. Shred your leftover chicken and mix it into scrambled eggs, or use it to top a breakfast pizza. Alternatively, make chicken and vegetable stir-fry, adding a sunny-side-up egg on top for a hearty breakfast bowl. This source of lean protein will help keep everyone focused and satisfied until lunchtime.
Using leftover foods in your next breakfast reduces food waste and provides your family with delicious, budget-friendly meals that are good for them and the environment. With a bit of imagination, these leftover transformations bring variety and excitement to your mornings. Try these ideas and enjoy more leisurely mornings, knowing you’re feeding your family well without breaking the bank.