Soup and Stew Redo

• Like fine wine but more affordable, soups and stews get better with age. A night left in the refrigerator intensifies flavors and thickens the dish. Virtually any soup will reheat well, though soups that include dairy should be reheated at a low temperature. Noodle soups can get soggy, so opt for chili, broccoli and cheese or bean soup. Ladle reheated soup over a baked potato or scoop of mashed potatoes, or set a piece of toasted Italian bread in the bottom of the bowl where it will soak up flavor and be a tasty final lunch component.

Pasta, Redished

• Pasta holds its texture overnight, and if you're unable to heat your lunch, cold pasta dishes are your solution. Serve cold noodles with peanut sauce topped with chicken or tofu for dinner. Stir a spoonful of warm water into the dish at lunchtime to thin out the sauce. Cold pasta salad is even better on its second day, when the dressing has soaked into the pasta and vegetables. A big pasta casserole provides days of tasty leftovers. Try baked macaroni and cheese or a penne casserole loaded with broccoli, chicken or turkey and Parmesan cheese.

Salad Solutions

• A plain green salad won't satisfy you at dinner or lunch, but a salad loaded with protein and texture will keep you full until the next mealtime. Load a plate of greens with all the veggies in your crisper and add sliced steak, shrimp or chicken and lemon vinaigrette. Greens can also be the base for taco salad when topped with beans, cheese, shredded chicken and salsa, and tabbouleh salad made with bulgur wheat and herbs can be eaten hot or cold. Leftovers will get soggy, so pack any salad dressing separately and drizzle it on at lunchtime.

From Pizza to Pita

• Leftover pizza is irresistible, and not just the kind that comes covered with grease. Bake your own pie with store bought crust and toppings such as caramelized onions and butternut squash or roasted vegetables and sausage. Curries are flavorful when they're first made, and taste even better the next day. Add your favorite protein to the dish and eat it with rice for dinner and the flat bread called naan for lunch. If you eat on the go, deconstruct your dinner and pack it into a pita pocket for lunch.Taco fixings, roasted vegetables and barbecued chicken shreds all fit perfectly in a pita.