Small changes, big impact

We’ve all been guilty of wasting food at some point. That half-eaten loaf of bread that went mouldy, the bag of salad wilting in the fridge, or the takeaway rice you swore you’d eat but forgot about. It happens. But during Food Waste Action Week, it's the perfect time to start making small changes that can save you money, help the planet, and make sure your food actually gets eaten rather than binned.

And the best part? Cutting down on food waste doesn’t mean boring meals. You just need a few clever tricks up your sleeve. So, here are some easy leftover recipes to help you use up what’s in your fridge instead of throwing it away.

🥖 Leftover Bread? Make a Quick & Easy Bread Pudding

If you’ve got stale bread, don’t chuck it—turn it into something warm, sweet, and comforting.

Ingredients

• 3-4 slices of stale bread, torn into chunks
• 300ml milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• Handful of raisins, chocolate chips, or any fruit you have

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the milk, egg, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Toss in the bread chunks, making sure they soak up the mixture.
4. Stir in any fruit or chocolate chips.
5. Pour into an ovenproof dish and bake for 25 minutes, until golden and set.
6. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey or a splash of cream.

🔥 Bonus tip: No oven? No problem! You can fry it like French toast instead.

🍚 Got Leftover Rice? Make Fried Rice in 10 Minutes

Day-old rice is actually better for frying—so if you’ve got some leftover from a takeaway or meal, don’t throw it away!

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked rice (cold, from the fridge is best)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup frozen or leftover veggies (peas, carrots, sweetcorn)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder or a fresh clove, minced
• Leftover chicken, tofu, or prawns (optional)

Method

1. Heat oil in a pan and scramble the egg. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add more oil, toss in the veggies, and fry for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice and cook for another 3 minutes.
4. Add soy sauce, garlic, and any leftover protein. Mix well.
5. Throw the scrambled egg back in, stir, and serve hot!

🔥 Bonus tip: No eggs? No worries—just skip them or swap for chickpeas for a plant-based boost.

🥔 Leftover Veggies? Make Crispy Bubble & Squeak

Got some sad-looking veg in the fridge or leftovers from last night’s roast? Bubble & squeak is a classic, budget-friendly way to turn it into something delicious.

Ingredients

• 1-2 cups leftover cooked potatoes or mash
• 1 cup leftover veg (Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage—whatever you’ve got!)
• 1 tbsp butter or oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method

1. Mash the potatoes and veg together, seasoning with salt and pepper.
2. Shape into patties or just flatten in a frying pan.
3. Heat the butter/oil and fry on medium heat for 5 minutes on each side until crispy.
4. Serve with a fried egg on top or a dollop of mayo.

🔥 Bonus tip: If you don’t have potatoes, use leftover rice instead!

🍌 Overripe Bananas? Make 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

Bananas looking a bit brown and mushy? Instead of tossing them, turn them into quick pancakes.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp flour or oats

Method

1. Mix everything together until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick pan with a little oil.
3. Spoon small amounts of batter into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes per side.
4. Serve with yogurt, honey, or peanut butter.

🔥 Bonus tip: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra flavour.

Food waste is a massive problem, but small changes like using leftovers creatively can make a big difference. Plus, it saves you money, cuts down on weekly food shops, and makes cooking more fun.

So, during Food Waste Action Week, challenge yourself to use what you’ve got before buying more. Check your fridge, try these easy recipes, and make your food go further!