Leftover chili! It is the gift that keeps on giving. Just when you thought the comfort food vibes were over, we are bringing them back for round two.
I used to just freeze the extra batches, but then I realized that leftover chili is actually a superpower ingredient. It is thick and hearty and the flavors have had time to become best friends.
So we are taking that deliciousness and turning it into 15 incredible new meals. You might actually find yourself making a double batch just so you can have these leftovers in your life.
1. Chili Potato Nachos
We are taking a hard left turn from tortilla chips and using potatoes instead.
It creates a much heartier lunch that is guaranteed to keep you full, and honestly, it just makes sense because we are keeping it in the Mexican cuisine family.
2. Chili Cheese Fries
Potatoes and chili are basically best friends.
So obviously we are going to pile loads of chili on top of fries. And then we are going to add lots of shredded cheese and bake it for 30 minutes until that cheese is melted and perfect.
3. Leftover Chili Cheese Dogs
It’s classic, it’s simple, and it’s yummy.
You just pour that leftover chili right over your sausage or hotdog, top it with cheese, and you are ready to eat.
4. Chili Loaded Baked Potato
Sweet potatoes or regular potatoes, we aren’t picking sides here.
They both taste great when you stuff them full of leftover chili for a seriously tasty meal.
5. Taco Salad
Tex-Mex dishes are just begging for some leftover chili love.
You can skip cooking the ground beef and just use chili instead to create the perfect salad with greens, cheddar cheese, peppers, corn, and crushed tortilla chips.
Top that bad boy with guacamole and sour cream and you are set.
6. Chili Mac and Cheese
Two glorious comfort foods combining forces to make one amazing dish?
Yes, please. It is so easy—just pour the chili over the mac and cheese, give it a mix, and enjoy.
7. Chili Empanadas
These little turnover pockets of meat-filled goodness are usually fried or baked.
And here is the trick: if you don’t have time to make dough, store-bought pizza dough is here to save the day.
Just use the leftover chili as your filling and you have a ridiculously delicious meal.
8. Leftover Chili Burrito
Tortillas make everything better.
You can mix the chili with cheese and leftover rice and wrap it all up, or if you are feeling like breakfast, you can layer it with scrambled eggs.
Just microwave it for a minute until the cheese melts and top it with green onion and tomatoes.
9. Chili Joes
Since the flavors are so similar, swapping chili into your sloppy Joes is a no-brainer.
Fill up those toasted slider buns and top them with cheddar cheese and all the fixings.
10. Chili Cheese Lasagna
Lasagna usually calls for a meat sauce, so using chili as your base is a fun way to mix things up.
It creates a Tex-Mex inspired meal with interesting flavors that the whole family will love.
11. Chips And Cheese Chili Casserole
Turning your leftover chili into a casserole is a very good idea.
You just combine the chili with shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips and bake it.
12. Leftover Chili Cheese Dip
Game day snacking just got an upgrade.
You add Greek yogurt and shredded cheese to the chili and bake it until it bubbles.
It is an irresistible dip that pairs perfectly with raw veggies, crackers, and chips.
13. Chili Spaghetti
We are doing a little fusion of Italian and Tex-Mex cuisines here.
Just use the chili instead of spaghetti sauce for a lovely pasta dinner.
14. Cheesy Chili Stuffed Peppers
This dish is healthy and super easy to prepare.
You can soften the peppers in the microwave, fill them with rice, cheese, and chili, and bake them until the cheese is bubbly.
