Have you ever opened the fridge, looked for a long time at what’s in it and still don’t know what to cook? It’s a familiar scene to many of us. Whether you’re tired from work or just don’t feel like going shopping, you need quick and smart solutions. Fortunately, there are plenty of recipes with what you have in the fridge which are not only easy to make, but also tasty and nutritious.
Omelette with everything – breakfast turned into dinner
Omelet is one of the most versatile recipes. do you have eggs Perfect! From there, you can add almost anything:
- remaining vegetables: peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms
- a few slices of salami, ham or even leftover steak
- any type of cheese or cheese
All you have to do is beat the eggs, add the chopped ingredients, season them and cook them in a pan. You can turn everything into a frittata if you also put it in the oven for a few minutes.
“clean-the-fridge” salad
Salads don’t just mean green leaves and diet. They can be a complete meal if you add protein and carbohydrates:
- a base of lettuce, cabbage or even cooked vegetables
- cheese, canned tuna or leftover cooked meat
- chickpeas, red beans or corn
- simple dressing of olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper
You can add dry bread croutons, boiled egg or olives for extra taste.
Pasta with what you have at hand
Pasta is ideal for improvisation. Boil them and then combine them with:
- tomato sauce (or canned chopped tomatoes + garlic)
- cream + cheese + leftover meat for a creamy white sauce
- pan-fried vegetables (e.g. mushrooms, courgettes, onions)
Add parmesan or grated cheese, aromatic herbs and you have a complete meal in 15 minutes.
Hot sandwiches or canapés reinvented
If you have bread, you can do wonders. Here are some ideas:
- toast with cheese and fried egg (the simple version of croque-monsieur)
- toast with avocado, tomato and egg paste
- cheese spreads, leftover vegetables and some greens
Everything that is a day or two old can be revived if it is passed through a pan or in the oven.
Quick pizza with crust or slices of bread
Don’t feel like kneading dough? No problem! Use:
- stick, thick slices of bread or even tortilla sheets
- tomato sauce or ketchup + spices
- grated cheese and any topping you have: olives, mushrooms, ham, corn
Put everything in the oven for 10 minutes and you have a delicious mini-pizza.
Improvised stew
Stew is a perfect solution if you have some vegetables and maybe some meat:
- onions, carrots, peppers, potatoes, zucchini – all diced
- optional: leftover cooked meat or sausages
- spices and a little tomato paste
Let them boil in a saucepan with a little water and the meal is ready!
Quesadilla or Stuffed Pancakes
Do you have leftover pancakes or pancakes? You can easily turn them into a hearty dinner:
- fill them with cheese, pan-seared vegetables and meat
- fry them gently in the pan to melt the cheese
- serve them with yogurt or tomato sauce
It is a recipe very appreciated by children, but also by adults.
Creamy soup from leftover vegetables
Don’t throw away vegetables that are about to spoil! Boil them and turn them into cream soup:
- carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, onions – they all go
- add a little cream or butter for creaminess
- mix everything and season to taste
You can add croutons or seeds for extra texture.
Sweet or savory bread pudding
Do you have stale bread? Don’t throw it away!
- sweet version: combine bread with milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and possibly fruit. Bake everything and you have a quick dessert.
- savory version: mix bread with cheese, eggs, vegetables and spices. Perfect for breakfast or light dinner.
Baked potatoes with everything you have
Seasoned potatoes they are always a rescue. You can do them in many ways:
- sliced, with oil and spices – simple and good
- add cheese, eggs, vegetables, bacon – a kind of “improvised potato gratin”
- or mash them, then mix them with what you have (eg peas, leftover steak) and make patties out of the mash
How do you organize your fridge to always be prepared?
In order for the above ideas to work at any time, it is good to always have a few basic ingredients:
- eggs, cheese, yogurt
- pasta, rice, sticky rice
- canned tomatoes, corn, chickpeas
- frozen vegetables
- various spices, garlic and onion
You can also freeze leftover meat or vegetables to use later in soups, stews or pasta.
Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little imagination and using what you already have in the fridge, you can create tasty, nutritious and varied meals. I hope these recipes with what you have in the fridge they will come in handy the next time you ask yourself “What am I eating today?”. Don’t forget: sometimes the best ideas come from a lack of options!
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