After investing time and energy in making amazing meatloaf, leftovers are the last things you want to see after dinner. But when you have them, what should you do?
Trash them? No. Gather the leftovers into an airtight container or freezer bag and let me show you how useful they can be.
I compiled a list of wonderful meals you can make with meatloaf leftovers. These meals will save you the stress of making fresh meals from scratch.
1. Leftover fried meatloaf
Before you think too far about a quick meal for lunch or a late-night meal, remember the meatloaf leftovers in the freezer. Fry them into crispy meatloaf.
This is one quick meal you can get this done in minutes after thawing the meatloaf.
2. Meatloaf soup
Meatloaf can suffice as meatballs in your spicy soup recipes. And what everyone loves about soups is that you can own your dish with your combination of veggies, legumes, flour, potatoes, cheese, milk, sour cream, and yogurt.
Most importantly, while you’re making your soups, use ingredients that work for your gluten-free, dairy-free, or lactose-free diet.
3. Meatloaf stromboli
You can adopt this Italian cuisine for your meatloaf leftovers. Stromboli is a traditional pizza you and your family can get busy with during summer.
The difference between a stromboli and regular pizza is that the crust is rolled, so it covers the toppings.
What you need for this recipe is shredded cheese (parmesan and cheddar cheese for flavor), Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, ketchup, and of course, the pizza crust. You can either get a pre-made pizza crust or make yours at home.
4. Meatloaf quesadillas
Quesadilla is a cheese-filled tortilla that works perfectly for lunch or a quick late-night meal. Meats make quesadillas fuller and more delicious.
Rather than getting or cooking fresh meat, use meatloaf leftovers alongside other fillings like vegetables, pepper, and sauce.
Heat the filled tortillas in a skillet until it becomes a golden brown, crisp quesadilla.
5. Leftovers meatloaf pasta
Need dinner ideas? Toss meatloaf leftovers with any pasta of your choice. Meatloaf spaghetti is very easy to make and quick too. Since the meatloaf is already cooked, it will come in last in your recipe, as a topping.
You can also cut the meatloaf into munchable sizes and cook them in tomato sauce to make a meat sauce. Afterward, pour the sauce into the pasta and leave everything to cook together.
6. Leftovers meatloaf mac n cheese
On some days, a bowl of mac n cheese casserole is everything. Meatloaf leftovers can transform a regular bowl of mac n cheese into a huge indulgent dish with meaty flavor.
After thawing the meatloaf leftover, toss it with the hot mac n cheese, and your meal is ready.
7. Fried rice with meatloaf leftovers
Who wouldn’t love a spoon of fried rice with bits of meat in it? The meatloaf leftovers from last night’s dinner can suffice as ground meat for your Sunday fried rice recipe.
In addition, make the meal colorful with enough vegetables like carrots and peas. In addition, remember that the meat is already cooked. If you don’t want it overcooked, you shouldn’t pour it in too early.
8. Stroganoff with meatloaf leftovers
Stroganoff sauce is a thick gravy made with beef broth and sautéed with mushrooms, garlic, and onions for a flavorful dish.
Asides from the meatloaf, every other ingredient in this dish is readily available in the kitchen. So, you don’t have to break a sweat to put this together.
Moreover, you can make a heartier lunch or dinner by adding mashed potatoes or egg noodles.
9. Meatloaf shepherd’s pie
If you have friends and their children over the holiday, cooking could be quite a task. But if you have meatloaf leftovers in the fridge or freezer, meatloaf shepherd’s pie could save the day.
Meatloaf shepherd’s pie is a baked dish that contains meatloaf, mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, corn, gravy, and green onions. Serve as a main course with broccoli or salad as a side.
10. Meatloaf chili
Another way to use meatloaf leftovers is to make meatloaf chili. For this dish, you’re not starting from scratch because the meat is already cooked.
Add vegetables, beans, corn, spices, and your choice of seasonings to make a savory meatloaf dish for a cold night craving.
Additionally, you can choose to eat meatloaf chili alone or with rice for a fuller belly.
11. Meatloaf lasagna rolls
Combine lasagna noodles, meatloaf, cheese, and pasta sauce to make delicious cheese-filled and meaty lasagna rolls for lunch or a weeknight dinner.
Toss the ground beef in pasta sauce to make a tasty meat sauce. Afterward, fill the noodles with the cheese and meat sauce, then bake the rolls.
12. Leftover meatloaf sandwich
A meatloaf sandwich is an easy and quick breakfast. Thaw the meatloaf if it’s frozen, and then, place it between two slices of bread.
Add as many fillings as you want for a giant or medium-sized sandwich. You can make your sandwich creamy and flavorful with mustard, mayo, or ketchup.
13. Meatloaf pizza
Use leftover meatloaf to make a homemade pizza with meat toppings. Moreover, you can add the leftover meatloaf to the leftover pizza before you reheat it.
And, if you’d prefer freshly baked pizza, get fresh mozzarella or cheddar cheese and make your pizza from scratch.
14. Meatloaf casserole
Meatloaf leftovers, mashed potatoes, garlic, butter, chives, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and cheese come together to make the yummiest casserole ever eaten. You should try this for dinner or dessert.
15. Meatloaf grilled cheese sandwich
Sandwiches don’t have to be boring or regular. Meatloaf leftovers can become savory meatloaf grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast.
All you need for this recipe is bread, cheese, meatloaf, and mayo or mustard. Likewise, you could make your meal more flavorful with ketchup.
16. Leftovers meatloaf hash
Take your hash browns up a notch with leftover meatloaf. Meatloaf hash is a savory, hearty dish of chopped potatoes, meatloaf, eggs, pepper, onions, and garlic. Meatloaf hash is best served hot for breakfast or a quick lunch.
17. Meatloaf-stuffed peppers
Meatloaf-stuffed pepper is an Italian-baked meal that everyone in the family will love when you’re done.
Make a hollow in the bell peppers you want (red, green, yellow, or orange) and fill it up with the meatloaf, tomato sauce, cheese, and maybe rice.
Afterward, bake the peppers in the oven or microwave. Bake until you see the cheese melt.
18. Leftovers meatloaf tacos
Meatloaf makes a perfect taco filling. Making tacos with leftover meatloaf means dinner gets ready in a quicker time.
Include other fillings like refried beans, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. You can add more flavor with chopped onions.
19. Leftovers meatloaf subs
How about a hoagie hero with leftover meatloaf? I thought so too.
Take a slice of French bread and slice it open. Layer the meatloaf, cheese, sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pepper. Drizzle with cream and cover it with the other bread half. There you go, you’re welcome.
20. Meatloaf balsamic and basil bruschetta
You don’t need so much meatloaf for this recipe, so don’t worry if all you have is a little. Balsamic and basil bruschetta is not a meaty dish anyway.
The baguettes are topped with tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, and of course the meatloaf. Serve as an appetizer, light lunch, or midday snack.
21. Leftovers meatloaf quiche
Meatloaf quiche uses shredded cheese, meatloaf, and whisked eggs to make a delicious and easy-to-do breakfast.
Start with chopping the thawed meatloaf. Then, place the chopped meatloaf and cheese on a rolled-out pie or pizza crust. Afterward, pour whisked egg custard over them and bake.
In addition, you can make a spicy quiche with slices of jalapeno peppers and chopped tomatoes.
22. Leftover meatloaf egg scramble
One of the lovable things about meatloaf egg scramble is the fact that your teenage kids can help themselves while you get busy with house chores or work.
Ask them to thaw the meatloaf leftover and break it into small pieces. All they need to do is add the chunks to the cooking scrambled eggs.
In addition, meatloaf leftover suffices for scrambled eggs when you’re out of hotdogs.
23. Leftovers meatloaf burger
Use the leftover meatloaf to make a homemade burger to snack on or for a quick lunch.
Place a piece of meatloaf between two burger buns. Add vegetables, mashed potatoes, and ketchup for a flavorful snack.
24. Egg rolls
Ever thought of what meat and egg rolls would taste like? Yes, I thought so too. Put the meatloaf leftovers to work and see for yourself.
Use the ground beef as a filling for a yummy appetizer. If you’d rather have a savory taste, add ketchup.
FAQs
How long is meatloaf leftover good for?
Homemade meatloaf leftover is only good for about an hour or two if left outside.
It’ll keep up to four days in the refrigerator and three months in the freezer, with proper storage.
Can you freeze meatloaf leftovers?
Yes, you can.
Freezing meatloaf leftover is the best way to keep it for a longer period. Wrap the leftovers with aluminum foil or a freezer wrap. You can also keep them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure it is in an airtight container or wrap.
How do you know meatloaf leftovers have gone bad?
When meatloaf leftovers have gone bad, you’ll notice a change in color, texture, smell, and even mold growth. When you notice any of these, throw them out.
Conclusion
Wastage is bad. Wonderfully, that becomes history for your meatloaf. With these recipes, make the best use of your time, energy, and resources while you continue to whet your family’s appetite.
Moreover, you don’t have to make these recipes alone, get everyone together in the kitchen and transform those meatloaf leftovers into new, appetizing dishes.
Thanks for reading.
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