Do you ever wish you had something to do with all the odds and ends in your refrigerator and freezer? You may think that a ½ cup of sour cream, some leftover chicken, and a handful of vegetables aren't good for anything, but think again! In fact, these few ingredients are the perfect beginning to a delicious casserole. Casseroles are not only a wonderful way to use up leftover ingredients, but they can save you a lot of money in the kitchen as well. This week, let's discuss turning those ingredients you would normally throw away into a delicious meal.

Anytime you prepare a whole chicken, roast, turkey breast, or even a ham, there's usually leftovers. You may not think there are enough left to do anything with, but just a few cups of chopped up meat are perfect for casseroles. The same goes for vegetables and other side dishes. The truth is that just about any type of leftovers can be turned into a delicious casserole. Take Mexican, for example.

Mexican Shepherd's Pie
Serves 4

4 large tortillas
2 cups of leftover taco meat
2 cups of leftover beans
2 cups of leftover Spanish rice
1 cup of salsa
1 cup of nacho cheese
1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese

1. Line an 8 inch nonstick baking dish with two of the large tortillas.
2. In a large bowl, mix the meat, beans, rice, salsa, and nacho cheese until well combined.
3. Top with remaining tortillas and shredded cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees until the tortillas start to brown and the filling is hot, about 30 minutes.

It's just that simple. All you have to do is be creative. Instead of throwing away useful ingredients or serving your family the same meal two nights in a row, you can turn leftovers into something new and delicious. This is the perfect way to use up holiday leftovers, but why wait for the holidays? Open your fridge and freezer and see what's waiting to be used. Who knows, you may create a new family favorite.

Did you ever think that a big meal could save you money in the kitchen? Well, it's true. A large meal, such as a turkey or ham dinner allows you to stretch your dollar by giving you enough food for several days. Not to mention that these large meals can also save you time. This week, let's discuss tips for preparing meals that will save you money and time. As always, you'll also find a couple delicious recipes.

Obviously, a large meal shouldn't be prepared on a work day. There simply isn't enough time to devote to preparing such a large meal. The perfect day is Sunday. Not only do you get to enjoy a large family style meal, but the leftovers can be used throughout the beginning of the week to prepare quick meals.

Let's get on to the recipes. First, let's start with a recipe that transforms leftover turkey into a delicious and quick lunch.

Turkey Bacon Sandwiches
Serves 4

4 hoagie rolls
Butter
8 slices of bacon, cooked and drained
1 pound of leftover turkey breast
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Tomatoes, sliced
Mayonnaise
8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

1. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat buttered hoagie rolls over medium heat until golden brown.
2. Top the hoagie rolls with bacon, turkey, vegetables, mayonnaise, and cheese slices.
3. Serve with potato chips or French fries.

If a ham dinner is more your style, why not try this delicious recipe?

Bacon Infused Green Beans with Red Potatoes
Serves 4

2 pound of fresh green beans, strung and broke into 1 inch pieces
8 small red potatoes
½ cup water
1 pound bacon, cooked and grease reserved

1. Boil the green beans for 5 minutes, drain, and transfer to a warm 5 quart slow cooker.
2. Add the potatoes and stir.
3. Add water.
4. Pour half the bacon grease over the beans and potatoes and stir.
5. Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
6. Reheat bacon and crumble over the top.
7. Serve with reheated ham and dinner rolls.