A dish from the day before that tastes even better today? Absolutely! There are many recipes that are delicious the day they are prepared, but get even tastier over time as the flavours concentrate. Here are 10 that you can prepare and that improve overnight.
1. Beef Bourguignon
Many braised stews take on flavour over time. One of them is beef bourguignon, whose spices, such as clove and bay leaf, are revealed, while the sugars get more concentrated and the melted fat of the meat enhances the entire dish.
2. Braised Beef Pie
Among the pleasures of autumn is preparing braised dishes, such as beef. Don’t be surprised to find it tastes better several hours after cooking. The sauce having soaked in very well, the meat is permeated with the flavours that surround it.
3. Spaghetti Sauce
To make a good pasta sauce, it takes time for the flavours to become refined. The dish thus acquires more aromas and food gets more tender. Here is a recipe that you can make the day before, to be enjoyed the next day. And the herbs will have done all the work!
4. Dal
This Indian-inspired recipe is a perfect example of a dish that takes on a whole new face the following day. Once the dal is reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave, the spices present on the first day (such as garam masala and cumin) subtly blend together and amplify. The broth is imbued with aromatic flavours for an even more pleasant experience.
5. Chili
Have you ever reheated leftover chili for lunch and noticed how much flavour it has taken on? Dishes cooked in sauce are the ultimate “best the next day” meals. Enjoy the chili by heating it on the stovetop until boiling, then simmering it for a few minutes over low heat.
6. Chicken Pot Pie
Meat pies are often better reheated, not necessarily because the taste improves, but rather due to the fact that they hold together better and are less runny. In a chicken pot pie, for example, the béchamel tends to leak when it is just made. By the next day, it has thickened.
7. Moussaka
This Greek dish, traditionally made with ground lamb and eggplant, gains strength when made ahead of time. The meat of the moussaka relaxes once it has had time to soak in the tomato-based broth. Your patience will have been worth it!
8. Vegetable Soup
In a soup, the various flavours will have had all night to develop and will just keep getting better. Carrots, celery, onion, tomatoes and rutabaga become more tender and, by releasing their juices, they’ll soak up the broth and become even tastier than when first cooked.
9. Braised Cabbage
We love how cabbage softens when cooked so that by the next day it practically melts in your mouth. This braised cabbage dish with sausage and sweet potatoes is the perfect example. The aroma of the caraway seeds, which is similar to fennel seeds, will have had time to diffuse and the garlic becomes very tender.
10. Chickpea Salad
It’s not only warm dishes that gain flavour when you eat them later! Salads made with legumes, such as chickpeas, end up more flavourful because they soak up the dressing. That said, avoid doing the same with salads made of lettuce, because the latter becomes way too soggy by the next day.
Surprisingly, some dishes are simply better when eaten in the days following their preparation. By cooking them ahead of time, you not only gain in flavour, but also in efficiency and time!
FAQs
Science has proved that some dishes just taste better the next day – think bolognese, stews, curries, lasagnes and soups. Plus, with the right storage, you'll retain all those important nutrients and freshness. See, patience really does make the heart grow fonder!
What meal tastes better the next day? ›
Science has proved that some dishes just taste better the next day – think bolognese, stews, curries, lasagnes and soups. Plus, with the right storage, you'll retain all those important nutrients and freshness. See, patience really does make the heart grow fonder!
When food tastes better the next day? ›
Why does food taste better the next day? Food develops new flavour molecules, and for us, that means it tastes better. According to the study, proteins may further breakdown when the leftovers are reheated, producing new flavours which wouldn't have been there when the food was freshly cooked.
What is the cheapest meal you can make? ›
Cheap Family Meals Under $10
- Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
- Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
- Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
- Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
- White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
- Black Bean Enchilada Casserole. ...
- Lentil Spaghetti. ...
- Easy Red Beans and Rice. Red Beans and Rice is a cheap and easy meal to make.
Those are just a few reasons why it's the most important meal of the day. Many studies have linked eating breakfast to good health, including better memory and concentration, lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, and lower chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and being overweight.
What are 3 foods that help you relax in the evening? ›
Kiwi, cherries, milk, fatty fish, nuts, and rice have been found to aid in relaxation and sleep. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals before bedtime for healthier sleep patterns.
Is spaghetti sauce better the next day? ›
Have you ever warmed up a bowl of spaghetti bolognese for lunch the day after it was cooked and thought, god, this tastes better than yesterday? Well, science has turned your suspicions into fact: leftovers really DO taste better after spending a night in the fridge.
What food is better the second day? ›
Chili. Have you ever reheated leftover chili for lunch and noticed how much flavour it has taken on? Dishes cooked in sauce are the ultimate “best the next day” meals. Enjoy the chili by heating it on the stovetop until boiling, then simmering it for a few minutes over low heat.
Is pasta better the next day? ›
By the next day, some of the natural starches in the food will have transformed into healthier versions, called resistant starches, which have been linked to a range of health benefits including lower blood sugar, better gut health and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
What is the best food to reheat? ›
These are foods that reheat well in an oven or toaster oven.
- Crusty breads. Refresh that French bread so it's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with just five to 10 minutes in a warm oven (about 350°F).
- Baked goods. ...
- Roasted or grilled meats. ...
- Seafood. ...
- Pizza. ...
- Grilled sandwiches.
It allows you to save precious time on busy weekdays or during gatherings, ensuring a delicious and stress-free meal. Additionally, letting the meatloaf sit allows the flavors to meld, potentially enhancing its taste.
Are casseroles better the next day? ›
Casseroles are at their best when the ingredients are able to meld, which is why they often taste even better the second day. The enemy of a great casserole is excess water, and vegetables are your number one source of too much moisture.
What is the cheapest food to survive? ›
Cheapest Foods to Live On:
- Oatmeal.
- Eggs.
- Bread.
- Rice.
- Bananas.
- Beans.
- Apples.
- Pasta.
15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
- Buttery, gooey grilled cheese.
- PB&J because duh.
- Tuna melt tostadas.
- Pancakes! Pancakes!
- Scrambled eggs.
- Waffles.
- A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal.
- Spaghetti carbonara.
Basic pantry items: Bread, flour, sugar, leavening, seasonings, coconut oil, olive oil, lard, peanut butter and jam, homemade granola, cornmeal, oats, whole wheat, rice, dried beans, lentils and split peas, several varieties of pasta, pasta sauce, home canned tomatoes, fruits and vegetables.
What are the best foods to eat overnight? ›
The best midnight snacks
- Cheese and crackers. According to Meshulam, any snack we choose should contain protein and fiber to keep us satiated for the rest of the night. ...
- Tart cherries and pistachios. ...
- Banana and nut butter. ...
- Cereal and milk. ...
- Protein or snack bars.
Foods to Reheat on the Stovetop
- Soups, stews, and chilis. With these foods that contain a lot of moisture, a saucepan or pot with a lid will do the trick.
- Pizza. ...
- Rice, pasta, and noodles. ...
- Sautes and stir-fries. ...
- Meat.
The first is obvious—if you're looking to feel all warm and cozy, go for foods that are (literally!) served piping hot, like soups and stews. We've included some of our favorites, like our lasagna soup, our white bean chicken chili, our beef stew, or our chicken matzo ball soup, but really, any will work.
Why does Italian food taste better the next day? ›
A report from BBC Science Focus says that when your bolognese, stew or curry is sitting on the shelf in your fridge, it's getting more flavoursome by the minute even though it's no longer on the stove, because the ingredients are still marinating and breaking down like they would in a super slow cook.
