Hi guys! It’s me, Nina, back and hungrier than ever! You know me—I love indulging in delicious food, and usually, I get the best flavors from our amazing Wonder Bags. But every now and then, I like to get into the kitchen myself and whip up a tasty Food Waste Recipe. Today, I want to show you how you can give old, shriveled, but still perfectly fresh food a second chance and turn it into something mouthwatering. When it comes to Food Waste Recipes, the key is flexibility and creativity—be spontaneous with your ingredients and open to improvising! Leftovers? No problem. Just throw them into your recipe and create something uniquely delicious. I started my 2025 with some incredible vegan and vegetarian Second Chance Food Waste Recipes from GoNina—let me tell you, they were devilishly delicious. Here are my absolute favorites that I think you’ll love too!
A Hearty Vegetable and Bean Pan – A One-Pot Wonder
One of my all-time favorite Food Waste Recipes is a hearty vegetable and bean pan, served with toasted bread. This dish is a perfect solution when you need to clean out your fridge and use up all those leftover vegetables that are just sitting there, waiting to be saved. Instead of throwing them away, this dish gives them a second chance to shine! When I made this Food Waste Recipe, I used some slightly wilted leek, zucchini, and a handful of cherry tomatoes that were on their last legs. Of course, I couldn’t forget onions and garlic for that extra kick of flavor. To bring it all together, I added giant beans in a rich tomato sauce, stirred in a bit of a vegan cream alternative, and seasoned it generously with curry and paprika. The result was a warm, nourishing, and filling meal that also happened to be packed with protein and iron. What I love most about this recipe is how adaptable it is—you can swap in any vegetables you have, whether it’s bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or spinach. Just throw them into the pan, soften them up, add some beans, and you’ve got a comforting and delicious Food Waste Recipe ready to enjoy.
Meatballs – The Perfect Way to Use Up Leftovers
Another incredible way to reduce Food Waste and give leftovers a second chance is by making meatballs. Whether you opt for a classic meat version or a completely vegan alternative, this dish allows you to use up whatever you have left in your fridge. For my version, I went fully plant-based because, well, it was Veganuary, and I was feeling inspired! For this Food Waste Recipe I used leftover roasted broccoli and cauliflower from the night before, which had already softened and were perfect for binding everything together. To add more texture and protein, I threw in some lentils, chickpeas, and even a bit of beetroot for extra color and nutrients. Everything went into a food processor, where it was blended into a thick mixture. To hold it all together, I added flour, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and fragrant spices including curry, cardamom, paprika, and cloves. Once everything was combined, I shaped the mixture into little meatballs and fried them until they were golden brown. The best part of this Food Waste Recipe is how versatile it is. The meatballs taste amazing served with a creamy caramelized onion sauce and mashed potatoes, but they also work wonderfully with pasta or even as a sandwich filling. Every bite is rich, flavorful, and completely waste-free!
Puff Pastry Vegetable Dumplings – A Crunchy Delight
As vegetables are often left lying around in the fridge, one of the best ways to use them up is by turning them into refreshing puff-pastry vegetable dumplings. They make for a perfect light lunch or dinner, especially when served with a crisp salad. This Food Waste Recipe is a fantastic way to reduce Food Waste while adding some crunch and fluffiness to your meal. If you’re looking for a creative and family-friendly dish, you should definitely check out Luana Papaleo's Food Waste Recipe, which turns simple leftovers into something truly special.
Homemade Breadcrumbs & Crispy Schnitzel – Saving Bread from the Bin
Speaking of using up leftovers, one of my biggest food waste problems has always been bread. If not stored properly or eaten quickly enough, it becomes hard as a rock and seemingly inedible. But I’ve discovered the perfect trick to give stale bread a second life—making homemade breadcrumbs! Instead of letting bread go to waste, I simply grind it up and season it with fresh garlic and a pinch of paprika to enhance the flavor. This time, I used my homemade breadcrumbs to coat slices of tender, juicy eggplant for a delicious vegan schnitzel. Before dredging the eggplant in the breadcrumbs, I dipped it in almond milk and mustard, which helped the coating stick. Once fried to a perfect golden brown, the schnitzel was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a deep, satisfying crunch in every bite.
Crispy Leftover Rice – A New Spin on a Classic
Another common food that often gets wasted in my kitchen is rice. I love eating rice with curries, stir-fries, and stews, but I always seem to cook too much. Luckily, I found an amazing Food Waste Recipe to repurpose leftover rice into something entirely new and delicious. The trick is to spread the rice out on a baking sheet, season it generously, and bake it until it turns crispy. Once it’s cooled, I mix the crispy rice with avocado, cucumber, and crushed peanuts (I told you I like it crunchy…). To brighten everything up, I toss in some fresh mint, which adds a burst of freshness that takes the dish to the next level.
This simple yet brilliant Food Waste Recipe is the perfect meal saver, transforming leftover rice into a flavorful, textured dish that feels entirely new. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet and sour, try adding some diced mango or pineapple—trust me, it’s an absolute game-changer!
Get Creative and Start Saving Food!
The best part about cooking with food waste in mind is that it pushes you to be more creative in the kitchen. Instead of following rigid recipes, you learn to work with what you have and experiment with new flavors and textures. It’s a fun and rewarding way to cook, and the best part is knowing that you’re making a real difference by reducing waste. Every meal saved is a small victory for our planet—and for your taste buds!
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get cooking and start experimenting with your own Food Waste Recipes. I promise, once you start seeing food as an opportunity rather than waste, your kitchen will never be the same. And if you ever need inspiration, just know that I’m always here — probably sniffing around for my next delicious meal.
See you soon, and happy cooking!
Cheers,
Nina the Penguin
Check out our Instagram Account for the complete Recipes: @gonina.ch