Leftovers can be a thing of beauty when transformed into an exciting new entree! Of course, the time savings alone is good motivation to cook a little extra to begin with and get more milage out of your food efforts.

With a few basics that are easy to keep on hand & just a dash of imagination, yesterday’s roasted chicken can become todays big buriito. So what are some basics to keep on hand for making leftovers into another meal?

1. Tortillas: The possibilities for these Latin staples are endless. Roll up a combo of yesterday’s roasted chicken, a scoop of cooked rice, and some canned black beans to make burritos; for beef fajitas, cut up leftover pot roast, and mix it with sautéed peppers and onions. And for everything-but-the-kitchen-sink nachos, make homemade chips by microwaving flour or corn tortillas: Cut each tortilla into 6 pieces. Arrange in single layer between dry paper towels; cook on High 1 minute.

2. Ready-made pizza crusts: Keep ’em in your freezer, and create original pizzas with everything from roast turkey to extra ground beef from that family-size package. Or toss together bread salad with a baked, cubed crust; roasted veggies; and a dash of dressing.

3. Broth: Soup comes together in a flash with chicken or vegetable broth plus last night’s rice pilaf and frozen veggies. Or throw together a quick “risotto” using 1 cup raw rice, 4 cups broth, and leftover vegetables.

4. Eggs: These amazingly versatile protein packets can turn any entrée extras into a dazzling frittata, omelet, or quiche. Scramble a few with some cooked rice and second-act shrimp, and you don’t have to leave home for Chinese takeout.

5. Lettuce: Transform yesterday’s chicken into a tasty salad with a head of romaine, sliced apple, some toasted nuts, and a drizzle of your favorite dressing. Keep the greens fresh by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and storing in an open plastic bag in the fridge.

6. Canned tomatoes: Nothing comes in more handy at mealtime. Think red rice or gumbo, or revamp day-old pasta with a quick tomato sauce.

7. Ramen noodles: Perfect for a busy weeknight, these squares of noodle cook up in mere minutes, and you can use as much or as little of the flavoring packet as you like. For a savory soup, add thin slices of leftover cooked pork along with a handful each of snow peas and shredded carrot. Or cook the noodles separately, then sauté with the veggies for a simple lo mein.

8. All-purpose baking mix: Everybody loves breakfast for dinner — whip up some pancakes or waffles to go with all of your supper leftovers. Likewise, those bits of meat and vegetables can become a simple stew by simmering with a can of cream of mushroom soup and dropping in dumplings.

Food-safety note: Cooked foods should not be left out for more than 2 hours, so refrigerate promptly. The temperature of reheated leftovers should reach at least 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer to make sure any lurking bacteria are killed.