Italian beef is one of those deliciously messy sandwiches that’s an absolute joy to eat, but often leaves you with a container of leftover shredded meat and juices after the feeding frenzy While your first instinct may be to toss it or let it languish in the back of the fridge, don’t waste that flavor-packed beef! With a little creativity, those leftovers can become an entirely new culinary adventure
In this article, we’ll explore 12 delicious ways to transform leftover Italian beef into appetizing new dishes that will have your tastebuds dancing. From hearty casseroles to tacos and nachos, we’ve got you covered on how to make the most of every last scrap. Read on for inspiration!
Transform Into Hearty Main Dishes
One of the easiest ways to use up leftover Italian beef is to incorporate it into a hearty main dish. With its rich, savory flavor the beef pairs perfectly with pasta, rice or veggies to create a satisfying meal.
Italian Beef Casserole
For the ultimate comfort food, combine the shredded beef with pasta or rice, marinara sauce, vegetables like mushrooms, spinach or bell peppers, and gooey melted cheese Top with breadcrumbs or more cheese and bake until bubbly and delicious
Italian Beef Stuffed Peppers
Mix the beef with rice, marinara sauce and cheese like mozzarella or parmesan. Stuff into halved bell peppers and bake until the filling is hot and the peppers are fork tender.
Italian Beef Enchiladas
For a zesty Mexican twist, wrap tortillas around the leftover beef, enchilada sauce, beans, and cheese. Top with extra sauce and cheese, then bake until hot and melty. Olé!
Italian Beef Pot Pie
Make a flaky pie crust and fill it with the shredded beef, vegetables like peas, carrots and celery, beef gravy or broth. Top the pie with more dough, crimp the edges and bake for the ultimate comfort food.
Craft Crave-Worthy Tacos
With its bold seasoning, leftover Italian beef also shines in tacos and tostadas for a fun Mexican-inspired meal. Load it into tortillas or crunchy tostada shells along with all your favorite taco bar fixings.
Italian Beef Tacos
Warm up some corn or flour tortillas, then fill them with the shredded meat, chopped lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese and a dollop of salsa. Simple, delicious weeknight eating.
Italian Beef Tostadas
For a crispy base, layer the beef, lettuce, tomato, beans, cheese and salsa atop crunchy tostada shells made from fried corn tortillas.
Italian Beef Quesadillas
Sauté onions, peppers and the shredded beef together, then assemble quesadillas with cheese like pepper jack or cheddar. Griddle the quesadillas until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melty, then slice into wedges for finger food bliss.
Italian Beef Nachos
Pile tortilla chips high with the leftover beef, black beans, salsa, cheese, jalapeños, guacamole and sour cream for the ultimate nacho experience.
Craft Hearty Soups
The rich brothiness of Italian beef makes it a perfect addition to soups. Simmer it into broth-based soups along with vegetables, pasta or beans for a comforting one-pot meal.
Italian Beef and Vegetable Soup
For a lighter option, simmer the shredded meat in vegetable or beef broth along with carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, spinach and small pasta shapes like orzo.
Italian Wedding Soup
Make tiny meatballs to go along with the beef, and simmer them in chicken broth with spinach and small pasta like anellini. Shredded parmesan on top ties it all together.
Italian Beef Chili
Transform the leftovers into a hearty chili by browning the beef along with aromatics like onion and garlic, then simmering in a sauce of tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Top with grated cheese and sour cream.
Italian Beef Minestrone
Build an Italian-style vegetable soup by simmering the shredded meat with veggies like potatoes, carrots, cabbage and beans in a zesty tomato broth. Small pasta makes it even heartier.
Ready to Get Creative?
As you can see, leftover Italian beef is an extremely versatile ingredient just waiting to be transformed into all kinds of delicious new dishes. From casseroles and tacos to soups and more, the possibilities are endless!
With a little creative thinking and some simple ingredients from your pantry, you can give those leftover meat scraps new life in appetizing new forms. So next time you find yourself with extra Italian beef on hand after the sandwiches are gone, try whipping up one of these mouthwatering ideas. Your stomach and wallet will thank you!
Recipes and Resources for Making Great Food Advanced Search
| 2 tablespoons butter |
| 2 tablespoons flour |
| 4 cups leftover Italian Beef and Jus from Italian Beef Sandwiches recipe, (see separate recipe) |
| 4 cups beef broth |
| 1 package wide Amish egg noodles, (12 oz.) |
| Sour Cream, for topping |
| Chopped fresh chives, for topping |
- Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt until light brown in color, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook another 2 minutes. Pour in left over Italian beef with jus and the beef broth; bring to a boil. Stir in egg noodles, reduce heat to simmer, and cover.
- Simmer until noodles have absorbed most of the liquid and are soft but still a little chewy (al dente). Serve in bowls topped with sour cream and fresh chopped chives.
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| 2 tablespoons butter |
| 2 tablespoons flour |
| 4 cups leftover Italian Beef and Jus from Italian Beef Sandwiches recipe, (see separate recipe) |
| 4 cups beef broth |
| 1 package wide Amish egg noodles, (12 oz.) |
| Sour Cream, for topping |
| Chopped fresh chives, for topping |
- Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt until light brown in color, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook another 2 minutes. Pour in left over Italian beef with jus and the beef broth; bring to a boil. Stir in egg noodles, reduce heat to simmer, and cover.
- Simmer until noodles have absorbed most of the liquid and are soft but still a little chewy (al dente). Serve in bowls topped with sour cream and fresh chopped chives.
Italian Beef Sandwiches Chicago’s Best Loved Secret Made with Leftover Roast Beef
FAQ
How long does leftover Italian beef last?
USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. There are two different families of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria, the kind that cause foodborne illness, and spoilage bacteria, the kind of bacteria that cause foods to deteriorate and develop unpleasant odors, tastes, and textures.
What can I make with left over cooked beef?
- Roast beef sandwich. A star rating of 5 out of 5. …
- Pastrami sandwich. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. …
- Healthy beef chow mein. A star rating of 3.6 out of 5. …
- Beef & red chimichurri quinoa. …
- Beef sandwich with pink pickled onions. …
- Beef noodle salad. …
- Roast beef Yorkies. …
- Harissa beef & tomato bulgur.
What to serve with Italian beef sandwiches besides pasta?
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Facebook · Mommy Needs A Recipe!!https://www.facebook.comWhat are best sides with Italian beef?! – FacebookNov 5, 2024 — Cheesy potatoes and a special baked bean recipe is what we have with ours! … Roasted potatoes, fava bean purée, caprese, sautéed garlic scapes. …
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comWhat goes well with Italian beef sandwiches? – QuoraNov 8, 2016 — * Italian beef sandwiches go well with something that has crunch. I would recommend Peperoncini Ripieni (aka “Cherry Shooters”). Also, a good select…
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Hey Grill, Heyhttps://heygrillhey.comGiardiniera (Pickled Italian Relish)Dec 27, 2024 — It ( Giardiniera ) ‘s incredible on Italian beef sandwiches and antipasto, or all on its ( Giardiniera ) own as an appetizer. It ( Giardiniera ) bri…
How long is Portillo’s beef good for in the fridge?
Italian Beef & gravy can be stored in the fridge for 5-7 days, or frozen up to 3 months for best quality.
What to do with leftover Italian beef?
Here are 12 delicious ways to give leftover Italian beef new life: Italian Beef Casserole – Combine beef with pasta or rice, marinara sauce, veggies, and cheese. Bake until bubbly and delicious. Italian Beef Enchiladas – Wrap tortillas around beef, enchilada sauce, beans, cheese, and bake with extra sauce and cheese on top. Olé!
How do you store leftover Italian beef?
Storage: Store leftover Italian beef with some of the remaining au jus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make ahead: To get ahead, follow the recipe as directed through Step 6. Freezer: Pack cooled Italian Beef into a freezer-safe container (with any remaining au jus). How do you use tough leftover beef?
How long can you keep cooked Italian beef?
USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. How to store leftover Italian beef? Storage: Store leftover Italian beef with some of the remaining au jus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make ahead: To get ahead, follow the recipe as directed through Step 6.
What can you do with leftover beef?
Beef’s versatility allows you to make the most out of any meal by repurposing leftovers into an appetizing second (or even third) meal. From hamburgers to lasagna, tacos to meatloaf, pasta sauce to wraps, Ground Beef offers easy and delicious options for any meal.
Is Italian beef stew good for roast beef?
Stews are a great way to use up leftover meat, and this Italian beef stew is perfect for leftover roast beef. The Italian seasonings are perfect for tender roast beef, and the stew features perfectly simmered tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms in an irresistible broth.
What can I make if I don’t have roast beef?
If you don’t have roast beef, any leftover beef will do. ‘Really good,’ raves reviewer booghierbaby. You can still enjoy these recipes, such as gravy-drenched mashed potato sundaes or a simple six-ingredient frittata.