Turning yesterday’s meals into today’s fun

School holidays are the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen and using leftovers is one of the easiest ways to do just that.

Instead of letting extra food sit in the fridge or end up in the bin, turning leftovers into new meals can become a fun activity for the whole family.

It’s a simple step in your weekly food planning routine that not only saves money but also reduces the amount of food going into landfill.

With approximately one-third of household waste in Australia being food, every small effort makes a real difference to our environment.

Using leftovers doesn’t have to feel like eating the same thing twice.

Cooked veggies can be turned into a colourful fried rice or a delicious frittata. Leftover roast chicken can become yummy wraps or quesadillas. Even that last scoop of mashed potato can be transformed into fluffy potato cakes. Kids often love experimenting with flavours, colours and textures; you can turn it into a kitchen challenge or a “mystery ingredient” challenge.

Technology makes this even easier. So many of us have access to AI now, a quick prompt to any AI app such as “what to make with leftover spaghetti” brings loads of creative ideas. You can even create weekly meal plans based on what’s already in the fridge, or the items you have budgeted for in your weekly shop. This can reduce overall shopping costs and make sure food is used before it spoils. Its super easy!

Most importantly, cooking with leftovers can bring everyone together. It’s a chance to bond, try new things and teach kids about sustainability in a positive, hands-on way. By using what we already have, we support the planet and have fun doing it.

We have partnered with The Great Unwaste who promote seven easy tips on how to help reduce food waste, help the environment and help save you money.