Fridge Emptiers: 19 Easy Entrees That Disappear Overnight

If your fridge could talk, it would thank you for these 19 entrées that make leftovers a thing of the past. These meals practically vanish overnight, leaving nothing but happy faces and empty plates. No more mystery containers in the back of the fridge—these dishes are too good to stick around. Better make extra if you want any leftovers for yourself!

Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips on a white plate.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Chicken Paprikash

Three pieces of chicken smothered in a creamy, orange-hued sauce topped with chopped herbs, served on a white rectangular plate.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Are you looking to use up those extras sitting in your fridge? Getting creative with what’s left can lead to amazing meals like Chicken Paprikash. It’s perfect for a cozy evening when you want something warming and comforting. Plus, it has a way of vanishing quickly, making meal planning for the next day even easier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

If you’ve got some steaks ready and waiting, why not grill them up with a twist? Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter are sure to be a hit, blending classic flavors in a new way. This dish not only clears out your meat drawer but will also disappear from plates in no time! Everyone will be looking forward to this dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Ready to make a dinner that feels a bit fancy without any hassle? Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu turns leftovers into a meal that feels indulgent. This recipe will clear out your fridge space efficiently while providing a dish that’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser. You might even find yourself wishing you had made more!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

A roast beef sandwich with melted cheese on a hoagie roll, accompanied by crinkle-cut fries and a bowl of brown dipping sauce on the side.
Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Ever crave that restaurant-quality sandwich but don’t want to head out? With Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich, you can make that happen right in your own kitchen. It’s great for using up leftover roast beef and will definitely be gone by tomorrow. This approach makes sure nothing goes to waste and everyone’s happy.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cole’s French Dip Sandwich

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A white plate with Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy on mashed potatoes, accompanied by a side of green peas.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Turning your kitchen into a diner tonight sounds fun, right? By whipping up Diner Style Salisbury Steak, you can use those ground beef odds and ends. This meal is a comfort classic that will help keep your fridge tidy. Watch as it quickly gets gobbled up, leaving you with smiles and an empty dish to clean.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Mediterranean Chopped Salad with crumbled feta cheese, on a yellow plate with flower designs.
Mediterranean Chopped Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Looking for a light yet filling meal? Mediterranean Chopped Salad is your answer to utilizing all those veggies and bits you have lingering. It’s a fresh, quick choice that fills the table with color and nutrients. What’s more, it’s usually devoured fast, simplifying your meal planning for the week ahead.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Sometimes, a little inspiration from your favorite restaurant is all you need. Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken lets you recreate those flavors at home, using items from your fridge that might otherwise go to waste. It’s a wonderful way to clear out varied ingredients and ensure that everyone asks for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

A bowl of salmon pasta salad with a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprig of dill.
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

When salmon and pasta leftovers meet, they can become something special. Easy Salmon Pasta Salad is a fantastic way to combine and conquer those fridge stragglers. It’s light, refreshing, and tends to empty out of the bowl quickly. This dish hits the spot, making your fridge clean-out efforts totally worth it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

A plate of Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers sprinkled with chopped herbs.
Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Ever miss the flavors of Little Italy? Well, bring them home with Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers. This dish makes use of any sausages and veggies you might want to use up and offers a truly filling meal. Don’t be surprised if you find your family looking in the pot for more!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maggiano’s Little Italy Sausage & Peppers

Mediterranean Salmon

A plate of Greek salmon with grape tomatoes and olives.
Mediterranean Salmon. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Take a trip to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen. Mediterranean Salmon uses what you have in a way that’s both healthy and irresistible. This dish quickly uses up lingering ingredients and always seems to disappear fast from the dinner table. You’ll feel like you’ve treated everyone to a special meal.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Salmon

Roast Pork with Apples

A plate of Pork Roast with Apples on a table.
Roast Pork with Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Combining some basics you might have can turn into a feast, like Roast Pork with Apples. This dinner idea not only helps clear out your fruit basket and meats but also offers a comforting, homely meal. It’s typically served to rave reviews and leaves nothing behind, which means less waste and more smiles.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

A platter of sheet pan lemon-rosemary chicken with lemon slices, herbs, and garnished with cherry tomatoes.
Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sometimes, simplicity wins the day, and Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken is proof of that. This single-pan wonder helps use multiple items, keeping your evening cleanup quick and straightforward. Everyone loves the refreshing taste, and it’s a race to get seconds. You might just make this a regular to help with weeknight rushes.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon-Rosemary Chicken

Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

A plate of cooked ground beef mixed with diced vegetables and garnished with lime wedges and chopped herbs. A red striped cloth is placed beside the plate.
Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Got ground beef and not sure what to make? Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef, a Mexican-inspired ground beef dish, can transform your leftovers into a flavorful dinner. It’s perfect for a casual meal and very popular among all ages. You’ll find the pan empty before you know it, successfully making the most of your refrigerator’s offerings.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Two bowls of Copycat Carrabba's Mama Mandola's Sicilian Chicken Soup, accompanied by two spoons, a black pepper grinder, and a napkin.
Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to make everyone feel at home. Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup brings that cozy restaurant feel right to your dining table. You’ll be able to use up your veggies and chicken while serving up a dish that stores well and tastes even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Carrabba’s Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup

Texas BLT

Texas BLT on a black slate plate.
Texas BLT. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Who doesn’t love a good BLT? This Texas BLT takes this classic up a notch and is perfect for using up those last bits of bacon and lettuce. It’s a quick fix that delivers big on flavor and leaves your fridge cleaner than before. Plus, there’s rarely a crumb left over, making your kitchen duties lighter.
Get the Recipe: Texas BLT

Pizza Pasta Salad

A fork with pizza pasta salad in a bowl.
Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Mix up your meal routine with something unexpectedly fun, like Pizza Pasta Salad. This playful dish helps you tackle those pasta boxes and odd vegetables. It’s a guaranteed hit at any gathering and usually sees the bowl scraped clean. Not only will your fridge thank you, but your guests will too!
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Chicken Divan

A fork is lifting a portion of Chicken Divan from one of the bowls.
Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Want a classic that everyone enjoys? Chicken Divan is a comforting choice that cleverly uses up chicken and veggies. It’s a go-to recipe for a no-fuss dinner that’s sure to be a highlight of the night. You’ll see plates being cleaned faster than you can refill them, making this a perfect choice for a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwich served on a white rectangular plate.
Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Transform simple ingredients into something exciting like Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. This recipe uses leftovers in a way that’s tasty and filling. It is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner and tends to disappear from the fridge swiftly. Everyone will appreciate this little twist on routine meals.
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips on a white plate.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Bringing the steakhouse vibe to your home is easy with Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips. Using up those bits of beef has never been more delicious or straightforward. This dish scores big on flavor and is a definite win for getting rid of leftovers. Expect it to be gone by morning, thanks to its popularity at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips

Leave a Comment