Stop eating sandwiches! How to repurpose leftovers to create amazing work from home lunches

Guest post by Kristen Markel

Are you sick of eating sandwiches? Since you work from home, you have the luxury of having a kitchen. There is no need to stick with the typical lunch that you would bring to the office. It’s time to bust out of your lunch rut and start making lunches you are excited to eat.

But let’s be realistic. Just because you are home doesn’t mean you have time for a leisurely lunch. You still have meetings and calls that take up your day. Enter the best shortcut for fantastic work from home lunches — leftovers!

Want to learn how to make delicious lunches using leftovers? Read on!

Why Repurpose Leftovers?

I believe that leftovers get a bad rap. Most fall into two categories: ones that you are so excited to eat that they are gone the next day, or ones that go into the back of the refrigerator only found when they well past their prime.

Repurposing leftovers gives them new life and relieves boredom. No one wants to eat the same thing day after day. With some simple planning, last night’s dinner becomes a whole new lunch! It will save you time since one part of the meal is already cooked. Most of the time, you just have to assemble. 

Next time you trash something, think about how much it cost. It is a lot harder to throw away money than food!

Using up food will also save you money. You spent your hard-earned cash on those groceries; throwing them out is like throwing out money. If you are guilty of discarding lots of food, here’s a tip. Next time you trash something, think about how much it cost. It is a lot harder to throw away money than food!

Repurposing leftovers to make work from home lunches will save you time, money and help you create great, yummy meals. 

How To Repurpose Leftovers For Work From Home Lunches

So we know why we should be repurposing leftovers, but the question remains of how we do it? Here are some suggestions.

Leftover Proteins

Do you have leftover chicken, turkey, ham, beef, or even tofu? 

• Wrap them up! Add them to a wrap along with some greens and dressing.
• Add them to a salad. Bulk up a simple salad with some protein. It will help keep you full for longer. Don’t have a salad made? Just chop up some lettuce and add one other vegetable. It doesn’t need to be complicated.
• Make it into a cold salad. Shredded chicken, turkey, shrimp all work well as a cold salad. Add some mayonnaise, spices (everything bagel is my favorite), and celery if you are fancy. Place on toast, eat with crackers, or serve on a large piece of lettuce. 
• Quesadillas! You have the meat already made, so this Mexican dish cooks in no time. Fill a tortilla with cheese and leftover protein, and fry in a pan.
• Tacos! Put the meat on a tortilla, add some lettuce, tomato, and cheese, and have a taco.

Leftover Grains

What about rice, pasta, or ancient grains? 

• Proteins aren’t the only way to bulk up a salad. Try adding leftover grains to one! No need to heat them, just throw them in cold. 
• Now, this takes a little time, but try stuffed peppers. Simply mix leftover grains with tomato sauce, beans, and top with cheese. Place the mixture inside a bell pepper and bake for 40 minutes. 
• Burritos are the best way to use up leftover rice and grains. Add some beans, cheese, and if you don’t have any other proteins, you can add a scrambled egg. 
• Add eggs and leftover pasta to a pan and make a frittata. 
• Make a quick soup! Heat the broth, add the grains, and some frozen vegetables to create an excellent, warm lunch.

Leftover Vegetables

Whether roasted, steamed, or sauteed, don’t let those veggies go to waste!

• Add them to a wrap along with some cheese and beans.
• Make a veggie quesadilla.
• Make an omelet. Don’t have the skills to make an omelet? Check out this simple recipe to help.
• Mix with pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese for a simple primavera.
• Save leftover herbs and make a pesto. Mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a mini food processor. Pesto is great on leftover pasta or eggs.