15 Foods That Make the Best Leftovers

Thinking of 15 foods that make the best leftovers is bound to leave you hungry. Some of these are better on the second day.

Chicken Enchiladas

A lot of Mexican food isn’t that great the next day since it gets soggy and kind of blah. But some dishes are just as good, if not better, the day after, and the best leftovers are those that don’t lose their flavor.

Lasagna

One of the best leftovers possible, lasagna somehow gets better after it sits for a while. Place it in the fridge, but somehow as the sauce and the noodles thicken, it tastes just as good, and better sometimes.

Beef Stew

For one thing, beef stew is great on a cold day when you need a level of warmth your body isn’t giving you. But on the next day, this dish is still just as good since heating it doesn’t take anything away from it.

Baked Ziti

A lot of dishes with cheese only get better as they sit for a while. It still requires a lot of care to make it taste great to start with, but a simple reheat makes this dish pop again.

Chili

Oh chili, how we love thee. If you couldn’t get enough the first day, adding a few more spices the next day and enjoying the added thickness is even better.

Thai Chicken Curry

If you’re a curry lover then it’s fair to say that you don’t care if it’s the first or second day. These leftovers require that you actually like the dish, as most things do, but curry is one of those dishes that’s an acquired taste.

Meatloaf

Mmm-mmm yeah. Meatloaf does get old after a while if you eat it too often, but on the second day if there’s anything left it’s every bit as good.

Chicken Salad

This dish needs to be eaten or frozen to keep it fresh, but on the second day, it should still be good if you refrigerate it. For safety’s sake though it does need to be placed in the fridge immediately after you’re done.

Chana Masala

Remember what I said about curry? It applies here just as easily, but thankfully with a dish of rice or noodles, you can enjoy this without much more than a simple reheat.

Pulled Pork

There’s always an ‘if’ factor when it comes to leftover pulled pork. If one makes this dish right the first time it’s fair to think that there might not be anything left.

Goulash

This is a popular go-to meal for a lot of people who just want something filling and warm. There are plenty of ways to make it, and it keeps fairly well for another few meals.

Shepherd’s Pie

It’s too easy to mess this dish up, but if you do it right then it will keep for a little while and provide some of the best leftovers you can get. If you need to make your meals in advance this is a good one to cook up and freeze for a few days.

Stuffed Peppers

It’s debatable if this is a good leftover, but a lot of people swear by it. Reheating stuffed peppers isn’t hard, but you do need to make sure that you don’t leave it in too long.

Gumbo

Another dish that takes a while to make correctly and is highly temperamental, gumbo is still one of those that’s worth it. Cook it and freeze it, but take to heart the fact that gumbo does need to be brought up to room temperature.

Clam Chowder

Honestly, this is one of the heartiest soups around since I’ve personally made huge batches of it that have fed my family for a week or more. It freezes well, and it’s just as good each day if you reheat it correctly.