Once...Twice...Three Times the Leftovers....

My family does NOT do leftovers. I have tried and tried to get them to re-heat a previous meal and it simply doesn't happen. It drives me absolutely bonkers when I have to toss out food so I have found a few simple ways to make three meals out of one and still keep the excitement going for my family.

Here are my secrets!

Taco Meat

First Meal: Tacos are a big hit here! I make a big batch of taco meat and mix in potatoes (traditional Mexican ingredient) and beans to add some heft to the meat and it makes a much bigger batch! Add your tortillas and toppings and your Tacos are complete!

Second Meal: With my leftover taco meat I will make either (a) empanadas or (b) taco pizza depending on the amount leftover. Both these recipes will only require about 1-1.5 cups of meat so I will portion out what I need and leave the rest for my third meal.

(a) Empanadas are Sooo easy to make! I use pre-made pie crusts (they come in packages of two) and cut about a 2-3 inch circle (depending on what glass I have available for cutting) this will make about 15-17 empanadas. On each circle I put about 1 Tablespoon of meat and sprinkle on some cheddar cheese. I fold each circle over and seal, using a little water on the inside for a better seal. Then I crimp the outside with a fork, dab a little more water on the outside for extra crispiness and bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the bottoms are golden.

(b) Taco Pizza! No problems here! I use a store bought powder mix or some of my homemade pizza dough in the freezer. Squish out onto a pizza pan, use taco sauce (great way to use up all those packets you have collected from Taco Bell) or enchilada sauce, cover with colby-jack cheese and bake.

Third Meal: Well by now there really isn't much taco meat left but as long as I have about a cup or so it's time to make Taco Pie (more masculine that calling it a quiche). Add one-two cups of meat mixture to bottom of 9inch greased pie plate. Mix together in a separate bowl: 1/2 cup Bisquick Mix, 1 cup of Milk and 2 Eggs. If you have some cheese sprinkle it over the meat mixture before adding the Bisquick Mix. Usually I am out of cheese at this point so I will use a condensed cheese soup if I have it on hand or skip the cheese altogether. Add the Bisquick Mix to the other layers and bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

There you have it! Actually 4 meals from great Taco leftovers!!

Chili

First Meal: Great big pot-o-chili! I like to make a big pot of chili and a pan of cornbread! Chili is really easy to make and everyone has their own favorite recipe! I make sure to add two kinds of beans and lots of tomatoes to economize the amount of meat I use.

Second Meal: Cincinnati Chili! This recipe is fantastic! Boil your spaghetti noodles and top with Chili Sauce! When you use noodles it really changes the flavor and texture of your chili!!

(A) you can also make this Chili Con Carne but using 2 cups of rice instead of noodles!

Third Meal: Chili Casserole. That's right! How can any Mid-Westerner survive without a nice hot casserole! I use either the Cincinnati Chili or the Chili Con Carne (it will work with both) and cut it up into small bits. Add about 8 oz of ricotta cheese or cottage cheese or 1 can condensed soup (can use cheese soup, cream of mushroom, cream of celery etc. just don't mix in a chicken yuck) bake at 350 degrees until heated through and a bit crusty on top. Depending on what ingredients you use this can take 20-40 minutes. Top with crunchy French Onions, crackers or the classic crushed potatoes chips and there you have it!

Chicken

First Meal: There are TONS of chicken recipes out there! So make some chicken breasts however you like (our favorites include Dijon and Lemon Pepper). Add your sides and bread there you go.

Second Meal: Chicken and stuffing! Cut up your chicken breasts, add a bag of veggies, a can of cream of chicken soup, and 1/2-1 cup of sour cream mix together. Make stuffing according to package instructions. Put your chicken mixture into a 9 x 13 pan and top with stuffing. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. Yum!!

Third Meal: What to do with a leftover chicken/stuffing casserole?? You think it can't be done...well it can! Get your 9' inch pie plate out again! Mix your casserole up so that the stuffing is mixed in really well. Add 1 cup of chicken gravy to the mixture and a little more sour cream if you are feeling saucy then (here we go) top with mashed potatoes! Instant or homemade whatever. Top the mix with potatoes and cook at 350 degrees for 40-60 minutes or until bubbly or that potatoes start to get golden around the edges and there you have it Chicken Sheppard's Pie!

Whew! There are tons of ways to extend your leftover with a little creativity and a few extra ingredients! Enjoy!