1 Roast = 4 Meals – Episode #61

If you’re anything like me, you want to make your meals go as far as possible, and that means stretching your grocery budget while still enjoying delicious meals. One of my favorite ways to do this is by roasting a whole piece of meat and turning it into multiple meals. Not only is it frugal, but it’s also time-saving and incredibly satisfying. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing how I turned just one roast into four different meals: a classic roast dinner, tacos, cheesy onion roast subs, and hash. Each meal is unique, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with your leftover roast.

By the end of this post, you’ll have the recipes for all four meals and some additional ideas for what to do with leftover roast. So let’s dive in!

Why I Love Making One Roast Into Multiple Meals

One of the things I love about cooking a roast is the versatility it offers. Whether you’re making a roast beef, pork, or chicken, you can stretch that one cut of meat into multiple dishes. Not only does this help you save money, but it also means you’re not stuck eating the same meal for days on end. Instead, you get to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures from the same roast. Plus, having leftovers ready for the next day or two makes meal prep a breeze!

Using leftovers in creative ways is a key component of frugal cooking, and I’m always on the lookout for ways to transform simple ingredients into a variety of meals. It’s perfect for busy weeks when you don’t have time to cook from scratch every night.

Meal #1: Classic Roast Dinner

A classic roast dinner is the perfect meal to start with when you’ve cooked up a roast. Whether you’re serving it to your family or having a cozy dinner for one, a roast dinner is a hearty, satisfying meal that never goes out of style. For this meal, I use the leftover roast beef, pork, or chicken as the star ingredient, pairing it with roasted vegetables and gravy. The key to a good roast dinner is seasoning your meat well and making sure everything cooks at the right temperature.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast meat (beef, pork, or chicken)
• 4-6 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 cup of green peas (or any preferred vegetable)
• 1 cup of gravy (you can use store-bought or make your own)
• Salt, pepper, and herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or sage)

Instructions:

1. Reheat the roast meat: If you’ve made the roast ahead of time, slice off the amount you need for the roast dinner. Reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can use the microwave for a quicker option.

2. Roast the vegetables: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss your potatoes and carrots with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs (rosemary or thyme work well). Spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

3. Prepare the peas: While the vegetables are roasting, cook your peas (or other vegetables of choice) according to the package instructions.

4. Make the gravy: If you have leftover drippings from the roast, you can use them to make a flavorful gravy. Otherwise, heat up some store-bought gravy, or use a simple mix of flour, butter, and beef/chicken stock to make your own.

5. Serve: Once everything is cooked, serve the reheated roast with the roasted vegetables and peas. Pour the gravy over the meat and vegetables for a delicious, comforting meal.

Meal #2: Tacos

Tacos are a great way to use up leftover roast meat, especially if you have a flavorful roast beef or pork. The meat can be shredded and mixed with taco seasoning for a quick and easy meal. This meal is perfect for taco night and a fun way to reinvent your leftovers.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast beef or pork, shredded
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, diced onions, and cilantro

Instructions:

1. Shred the meat: Take your leftover roast beef or pork and shred it using two forks or your hands. Make sure the pieces are bite-sized for easy taco fillings.

2. Season the meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shredded roast meat to the skillet and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Add the water and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

3. Warm the tortillas: While the meat is simmering, heat your tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side, or until warm and soft.

4. Assemble the tacos: Once the meat is ready, spoon it onto the warm tortillas. Top with your favorite taco toppings like cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or cilantro.

5. Serve: Enjoy your taco feast with a side of Mexican rice or a fresh salad.

Meal #3: Cheese Onion Roast Subs

These cheesy onion roast subs are a fun twist on the classic sandwich. The combination of tender roast meat, caramelized onions, and melted cheese is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. It’s a great way to use up leftover roast beef, pork, or even chicken.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast meat (beef, pork, or chicken), sliced thin
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella works best)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Caramelize the onions: In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, season with a little salt and pepper, and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized.

2. Toast the sub rolls: While the onions are cooking, cut your sub rolls in half and toast them lightly in the oven or on a grill pan.

3. Assemble the subs: Once the onions are caramelized, layer the slices of leftover roast meat on the toasted rolls. Top with the caramelized onions and a generous handful of shredded cheese.

4. Melt the cheese: Place the assembled subs under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Serve: Enjoy these cheesy, savory subs with a side of chips, salad, or a pickle!

Meal #4: Hash

Hash is a perfect way to use up any remaining roast meat while creating a hearty, flavorful breakfast or dinner. You can mix the leftover roast meat with potatoes, onions, and any other veggies you have on hand. It’s an easy, throw-together meal that’s both satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients:

• Leftover roast meat (beef, pork, or chicken), diced
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (optional), diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fried eggs to top

Instructions:

1. Cook the potatoes: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and tender.

2. Add the onions and bell peppers: Once the potatoes are cooked, add the diced onions and bell peppers (if using) to the skillet. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

3. Add the leftover roast meat: Stir in the diced leftover roast meat and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the meat is warmed through.

4. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, top with a fried egg for extra protein.

5. Serve: Serve your hash hot, and enjoy it with a side of avocado or toast.

Additional Recipe Ideas for Leftover Roast

• Roast Beef or Pork Sandwiches: Use your leftover roast meat to make quick sandwiches. Add some cheese, mustard, and pickles on your favorite bread for a delicious lunch option.

• Roast Meat Salad: Slice up your leftover roast and add it to a fresh salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a vinaigrette dressing. It’s a light and refreshing way to use up leftovers.

• Roast Meat Stir-Fry: Stir-fry your leftover roast meat with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce. Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.

• Roast Meat Soup: Use leftover roast meat in a hearty soup. Add it to a broth with vegetables, herbs, and some low-carb noodles for a comforting meal.

Making one roast last for multiple meals is not only a great way to save money but also a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a variety of meals without extra cooking time. From the classic roast dinner to tacos, cheesy subs, and hash, the possibilities are endless when it comes to repurposing your leftovers. Don’t forget to get creative and try some of the additional recipe ideas for using up leftover roast.

By incorporating these recipes into your meal planning, you’ll be able to stretch one roast into a week’s worth of delicious meals. Be sure to check out my video for step-by-step instructions on how to make all these meals from your leftover roast. Enjoy!