Repurpose Restaurant Leftovers into Lighter Meals

Let’s be real: when I go out to eat, I’m not ordering grilled chicken and steamed broccoli. I want something fun, flavorful, maybe a little indulgent—and I fully enjoy it! But when I bring home leftovers, that’s when I like to get a little creative and give those meals a lighter spin that still feels satisfying. I love getting two different meals out of one!

Here’s how to repurpose some common restaurant meals into nourishing at-home creations that will have you actually excited to eat leftovers:

1. Creamy Pasta Dishes → Veggie-Packed Pasta Bake

Original meal: Fettuccine Alfredo or another creamy pasta

At-home remix: Mix in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to add volume and fiber, then bake with a sprinkle of cheese on top. Want to stretch it further? Combine with chickpea or whole wheat pasta to balance it out.

2. Burgers & Fries → Deconstructed Burger Bowl

Original meal: Cheeseburger with fries

At-home remix: Crumble the burger into a skillet with bell peppers, onions, and a little garlic for a quick burger bowl. Serve over mixed greens, quinoa, or roasted potatoes. Air fry the leftover fries and toss them on top for crunch!

3. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich → Buffalo Chicken Salad

Original meal: Spicy chicken sandwich with ranch

At-home remix: Chop up the leftover chicken and toss with romaine or cabbage slaw, cherry tomatoes, and a lighter ranch or vinaigrette. Add beans or grains for extra staying power.

4. Pizza → Breakfast Scramble or Mini Flatbread

Original meal: A couple slices of pizza

At-home remix: Scrape off the toppings and sauté with spinach or kale, then toss into eggs for a savory scramble. Or build a new, lighter flatbread using the toppings on a whole grain pita or English muffin with extra veggies.

5. Fried Rice or Lo Mein → Stir-Fry Bowl

Original meal: Takeout fried rice or lo mein

At-home remix: Use it as the base for a veggie-packed stir-fry. Add frozen edamame, chopped cabbage, or a scrambled egg. Or scoop it into halved bell peppers, top with cheese or sesame seeds, and bake for a fresh take.

6. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich → BBQ Sweet Potato Bowl

Original meal: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw

At-home remix: Skip the bun and serve the pork over a roasted sweet potato with slaw, avocado, or beans. You can also make tacos or lettuce wraps if you’re craving a handheld option.

7. Burrito or Quesadilla → Taco Salad

Original meal: Steak burrito or quesadilla with sour cream and guac

At-home remix: Deconstruct the filling and turn it into a taco salad or grain bowl. Add lettuce, salsa, corn, and a scoop of guac. Bonus move: chop the tortilla into strips, crisp it in a pan, and use it as a crunchy topping.

Eating out is part of a fun, balanced life—and leftovers are a golden opportunity to play with your food a little. With a few simple swaps and additions, you can take those indulgent meals and turn them into something that fits how you want to feel the next day.

Got a go-to leftover remix of your own? I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!