By Natalie Ayvazian
Leftover foods are always a great idea for you and your family to enjoy, especially after a Christmas meal. Here are three tasty leftover foods that are healthy and easy to make.
Leftover meatloaf chili
Ingredients:
- 1½ to 2 cups leftover meatloaf
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 1 can (15 ounces) undrained pinto beans
- 1 can (14 ½ ounces) undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, add tomatoes, beans and chili powder.
- Heat and stir at the same time until the seasonings are blended.
- Add meatloaf and stir until the meat is heated. This takes about 15 minutes.
- Separate into two serving bowls. Add the cheddar cheese on top, equally.
This recipe takes about 25 minutes.
Leftover ham and potato casserole
Ingredients:
- 6 small potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups fully cooked ham, cut into cubes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups milk
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
Instructions:
- Place potatoes in a large pot, and cover with salted water, slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender. This takes about 20 minutes. Drain.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 1½-quart baking dish.
- Melt three tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Stir in the ham and onion. Cook and stir at the same time until the onion has softened. This takes about five minutes.
- Stir potatoes into the ham mixture. Transfer this to the greased baking dish.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a saucepan. Stir flour into butter until it has a smooth consistency.
- Carefully whisk milk into the flour mixture and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture has thickened. This takes about two minutes.
- Reduce heat and stir cheddar cheese into the white sauce until it is melted.
- Pour the sauce over the ham and potatoes.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the casserole.
- Bake until sauce is bubbly and golden brown. This will take 25-30 minutes.
This recipe takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Leftover tomato rice
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 ripe tomato
- ¼ green pepper, chopped
- 1½ cup of leftover white rice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot. Add the onions and cook until they are soft. This takes about six minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, and green peppers. Continue to cook with the onions until the onions are fragrant. This takes about three minutes.
- Add the rice, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir these ingredients together until the rice is completely covered in the tomato paste. This takes about three minutes.
- Add the chickpeas on top along with the three cups of chicken broth and stir to combine. Remove from heat, close the lid and allow the rice to absorb the liquid for about 10 minutes. Open the lid and fluff with a fork.
- Serve with a side of parsley.
This recipe will take 20 minutes to make.
