Get clever with your leftovers

Consider what you can do with the leftovers while planning meals. It's a significant time and money saver: If you cook twice as many veggies for tonight's meal, you'll have enough to make a soup or pasta dish later in the week. Cook twice as much rice as you need and freeze the rest for later use if you want to use leftover roast chicken on sandwiches.

With a meal plan, you can optimize your success and reduce food waste by ensuring that any food you prepare in bulk may be used in many meals. Proteins are the simplest to reuse in leftovers. Chicken salad may be made with leftover chicken from last night. Spiced beans, like those found in tacos, are a tasty complement to a soup or salad. Make a mixed greens salad or a grain bowl with leftover veggies. They're also a healthy complement to baked recipes such as lasagna or enchiladas. Topping leftover vegetables with a sauce or dressing is a quick and easy method to prepare a tasty meal at any time.