I like to make big pots of chili. I mean big, big pots. So big that I have leftovers for days. All those leftovers ensure my family eats well for days!
I never get bored of eating leftover chili because there are tons of ways to reimagine chili, making it new and exciting at every meal time.
Here are a few of my favorite, creative uses for leftover chili.
Frito Pie
Frito pie maybe my favorite thing to make with leftover chili. It is so incredibly easy, so delicious and also something my kids get really excited about eating.
A dinner made with Frito chips does sound pretty fantastic!
To make this tasty leftover chili recipe, all you need are Frito corn chips, cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced red onion, a jalapeno, and some leftover chili.The ingredients are layered together in a casserole dish and baked.
The result is a crispy, spicy dish that tastes more like something you get at a carnival than something “mom made”! It is a real treat.
Leftover Chili Tortilla Stack
Want to have dinner on the table in less than 25 minutes and also use up your leftover chili?
This is the recipe for you! Three ingredients and just a few minutes in the kitchen are all you need.
Layers of chili, soft flour tortillas and shredded cheese are baked in the oven until bubbling.
The dish looks like a giant Tex-Mex chili pie and you can slice right into it just as if it were a pie. Everyone is going to want a slice of gooey, flavorful tortilla stack!
Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito | Chilito Recipe
Taco Bell is well known for its delicious fast Tex-Mex food. One of the most popular foods on the menu is the chili cheese burrito.
Did you know you can make a perfect chili cheese burrito with some leftover chili, a flour tortilla and some cheese? It is so easy!
This recipe will show you how to make a copycat Taco Bell chili cheese burrito. It is way better than the fast food version since it is made with fresh chili.
You will never want the Taco Bell one again once you see how easy it is to make it at home!
Turn the recipe into leftover chili tacos by using a hard taco shell instead of a burrito. Leftover chili tacos are just as good as burritos! They just have an extra crunch.
Chili Cheese Burrito
I am crazy about these leftover chili cheese burritos. They are a perfect tex-mex meal that everyone in my house loves. The best part is that it uses up some of my leftover chili!
Rice, sour cream, leftover chili, and a little cilantro are all you need to make a perfect chili burrito.
Try adding in some sliced jalapenos for extra spice and crunch. However, if your chili is already spicy, you may not need anything extra!
Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Mexican cornbread casserole is a classic way to use leftover chili. It is easy, cheesy, and super tasty.
The Mexican-style spices that are added to the chili really give the dish an authentic taste.
Many of the comments recommend adding Spanish rice or some pico de gallo to the chili mix and I agree this is a fantastic idea.A little rice will make the Mexican chili casserole even heartier. However, it is delicious without it, too!
Tamale Pie
Use your leftover chili and make tamale pie. It is a delicious, hearty casserole that has lots of Mexican flavors. It is actually one of the easiest ways to make tamales ever!
This recipe will show you how to make the cornmeal and flour tamale layer that goes on top of your leftover chili.
The tamale dough is sweetened with some honey and baked nice and fluffy thanks to the baking powder.
Tamale pie is fantastic for serving crowds. Invite everyone over for Tex-Mex night and make this leftover chili pie the center of your meal.
Tex Mex Enchiladas Recipe (Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy)
I am crazy about these tex mex chili enchiladas. They are a fun twist on classic enchiladas because instead of using enchilada sauce, the tortillas are covered in rich chili.
Corn Tortillas are stuffed with cheese and a little chopped onion. The tortilla rollups are placed in a casserole dish and then slathered with chili.
A little cheese on top and the enchiladas are ready to go into the oven.
Bake the enchiladas until the chili is bubbling and the cheese is completely melted. Two or three enchiladas will be enough to fill you up!
Chili Cheese Nachos- Quick and Easy Dinner
Chili cheese nachos are a quick and simple dinner that will help you use up all your leftover chili. They are also a perfect snack or appetizer to serve at a party.
This recipe will show you how to make perfect chili cheese nachos in a skillet.
The nachos are not only tasty but they also look great when served in a cast iron skillet.Make the nachos as spicy or as mild as you’d like just by adjusting the number of jalapenos and salsa.
Leftover Chili Potato Nachos
Rather than using tortilla chips to make nachos, this recipe used potato strips. This makes the nachos hearty, tasty, and a little bit healthier.
Feel free to use any kind of chili. The recipe uses beef chili but brisket chili or chicken chili would be delicious as well.Veggie chili on top of potato strips sounds like a fantastic vegetarian meal, too!
Easy Beef Empanada Recipe
Empanadas are one of my favorite tex-mex foods. They are flakey, buttery, and truly perfect.
I usually serve empanadas with a dipping sauce but these chili empanadas are so juicy. You don’t need any extra sauce at all!
Use this recipe to make perfect, tender empanadas stuffed full of rich chili.
Bake them in the oven, fry them in oil or try making the recipe using your air fryer. Every method is amazing!
Chili Cheese Bean Dip - Hot Bean Dip with Chili & Cheese
I love warm, delicious chili and cheese dip. It is a great dish to serve at a party or put on the table as an appetizer for your family.
It is also a great way to serve your favorite leftover chili!
Cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese are added to your leftover chili to make it creamy and rich.
A little hot sauce is added to give the dip a bit of spice. Serve the dip with some tortilla chips or crackers to scoop.
This recipe is not only great as a snack but also can be a full meal. All those beans in the chili add a lot of healthy protein!
Easy Chili Cheese Fries
Do you love your air fryer? I definitely do! And this recipe not only uses the air fryer but also helps me use up my leftover chili.
Baking the fries in the air fryer lets them get crispy and crunchy. Crunchy fries are great with juicy chili.
Be sure to spread the chili evenly over the fries so you can easily pick them up. Don’t skimp on the cheese! It helps hold the chili onto the fries.
Chili Dog Casserole with Cheese Fries
This recipe mixes chili, hot dogs, and french fries, serving them all up in casserole form.
It is truly a masterful culinary creation! It is also a complete meal with the veggies in the chili, the starch in the fries, and the meaty hot dogs.
I also love this recipe because it is a classic blend of flavors. Chili always goes well with hot dogs and also with fries. Cheddar cheese is the perfect finishing touch as well!
Spicy Chili Cheese Dip
Wondering what to serve at your next party? A spicy chili cheese dip may be the perfect answer.
This recipe will show you how to use your leftover chili to make a delicious, very flavorful dip.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your personal taste. You can make the dip as spicy or as mild as you’d like.
If your chili already has a lot of spice, you may want to start with less spices and give it a taste before adding more.Recipe: Leftover Chili Baked Potato Casserole
This casserole is comforting food at its finest. It is full of warm, tasty ingredients that will fill you up and put a smile on your face.
Plus, it will help you use up any leftover chili you may have laying around!
Large russet potatoes are lined up in a casserole dish and then topped with cooked chili.
Some butter, cheddar cheese, and sour cream are slathered over the potatoes then the dish is baked until bubbling.
Serve the chili potato casserole with a sprinkle of cilantro and scallions to complete the meal.
Leftover Chili Cornbread Casserole Recipe
I love this cornbread chili and cheese casserole because it is a little bit sweet and a little bit savory.
It also has a bit of a crunch thanks to the addition of fried onions. It is an all-around delicious meal.
Leftover chili is mixed with fried onions, sour cream and some sweet corn then spread into a casserole dish.
Packaged corn muffin mix is added to the top and the whole dish is baked. The result is a thick cornbread on top of juicy chili. You are going to want an extra big scoop!
Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
I never know if I should serve this tater tot casserole for breakfast or for dinner. So, I just serve it all the time!
It makes a super hearty breakfast but my whole family also enjoys the juicy chili and crispy tater tots for dinner.Using tater tots instead of regular potatoes makes this casserole very easy. It baks quickly and the tater tots are fluffy and light.
All that leftover chili adds tons of flavor and I always use extra cheese- you should too!
Chili Baked Potatoes
Chili baked potatoes are like little individual casseroles. Everyone gets their own, chili stuffed potato to enjoy!
This recipe will show you how to make perfect baked potatoes that you can then stuff with any kind of leftover chili.
Top the chili baked baked potatoes with sour cream, shredded cheese and a little sour cream. Try adding some hot sauce to make the potatoes even spicier.Tater Tot Chili Dog Casserole
Making chili hot dogs are always a good idea to help you use extra leftover chili. However, making a chili hot dog casserole is even easier and just as tasty.
This recipe will show you how to turn the classic chili dog into a scoopable casserole.
Lay the hot dogs down in a casserole dish then top them with your leftover chili and some frozen tater tots.Of course, cheddar cheese is sprinkled on top and baked to heat up the dish. Try using mini hot dogs to make the casserole even easier to scoop up.
Chili Pie: My Favorite Way to Use Up Leftover Chili
Chili casserole is often topped with cornbread. While I love the sweetness of cornbread, sometimes I want something a little more savory to go with my chili.
This recipe nails it with the mashed potatoes on top of the chili. It is reminiscent of shepherds pie but actually uses leftover chili!
Try making this chili pie, baking it completely and then freezing it. You will have a perfect meal to pull out and thaw any day of the week!
Chili Cheese Cups
Make bite-sized chili casseroles using just leftover chili, biscuit dough, and some cheese. It doesn’t get any easier or tastier than this recipe!
Press the biscuit dough into a mini muffin tin then fill each cavity with a scoop of leftover chili.
Add some cheese on top and bake until the biscuits are golden brown. Serve the chili cheese cups while they are warm and the biscuits are flakey.
Just a warning- you are going to want to eat quite a few of these! They are just too tasty!
Leftover Chili Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe » LeelaLicious
Mac and cheese may be one of the best things to make with leftover chili. Mixing chili with mac and cheese can totally transform your meal, taking it from boring to super exciting and irresistible.
This recipe will help you make the perfect bowl of chili mac and cheese using all your leftover chili.
Leftover chili is mixed with cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese. Simply mix everything together to make a very quick and easy chili mac and cheese.
Be sure all the ingredients are nice and hot so that the cheese melts completely, coating the pasta well.
Chili Spaghetti Pie
Cooked spaghetti noodles act as the crust for this interesting and unique pie. Just that exciting pie crust alone is enough to make me want to try this recipe!
Spaghetti is tossed with egg whites and pressed into a pie pan. Leftover chili is scooped into the spaghetti crust and sprinkled with some cheddar cheese.The pie bakes to become a sliceable dish, perfect for parties and big get-togethers.
Everyone is going to go crazy for this creative chili dish. They will never even know it is made with leftovers!
I love recipes that provide gluten-free and also dairy-free variations.
With so many friends and family having special dietary needs, I appreciate recipes that not only adhere to certain diets but also taste amazing to everyone in the crowd!
Leftover chili is tossed with cooked pasta and a little bit of extra shredded cheese. Be sure to use gluten-free pasta shells and dairy free shredded cheese as needed.
Also be sure your leftover chili sticks to the diet as well!
Easy Chili Pasta Bake | Lovefoodies
I love that this chili pasta bake is such an easy way to use up a lot of leftover chilies.
I also love that you can make the whole pasta bake and freeze it, pulling out the casserole months later when you need a complete meal. Aren’t freezer meals the best?!
The pasta and leftover chili are mixed together and then spread into a casserole dish.
A little cheese is sprinkled on top and the pasta is baked in the oven until bubbling. One scoop of this gooey, delicious chili casserole and you will be dying for a second scoop.Chili Mac Skillet with Leftover Chili
Do you love one-pot meals? If you said yes, then I know you will go crazy for this easy leftover skillet chili mac and cheese.
I love using the small shell-shaped pasta which holds the chili and sauce like a little bowl. Elbow macaroni also works well and tastes delicious with leftover chili.
All of the ingredients are added to a large cast iron skillet and cooked until bubbling. Serve it straight from the skillet for a homestyle feel.
Cowboy Chili Lasagna (Video)
Forget regular lasagna made with tomato sauce. You need to try lasagna layered with chili! It is the new, best dinner ever and I know you will love it.
Bake until the chili bubbles and then get ready to enjoy an incredible meal!
Best Ever LEFTOVER Chili Dogs Recipe
Do you have some leftover brisket chili? Why not make delicious chili dogs! This amazingly easy recipe will show you how.
All you need to make chili hot dogs is some leftover chili, hot dog buns, hot dogs, and some cheddar cheese.
This recipe also adds some chopped tomatoes and onions to the hot dog which I love.
Once you have brisket chili hot dogs, you will never go back to a regular, plain hot dog. They just don’t compare!
Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwich
This chili grilled cheese recipe is perfect for using up leftover brisket chili.
Brisket chili works well since it has larger pieces of meat and isn’t as runny as ground beef chili. However, any kind of leftover chili will work!Leftover chili is sandwiched between two pieces of thick bread along with some cheddar cheese.
Sear the sandwich in a large skillet with some butter. Once it is golden brown and the cheese is melted, it is ready to slice and eat!
Chili Polenta Skillet Pies
Add your leftover brisket chili to a skillet and heat it up. While your chili reheats, cook the polenta as directed in this recipe.
Pour the polenta over the hot chili and your meal is ready!
The cooked polenta coats the chili wonderfully. It adds a sweet, cornmeal flavor to the dish and makes the chili into a full meal.
It is so fast to make that you will be serving this pie all the time!
Leftover Chili Stuffed Peppers
I love stuffed peppers and the idea of stuffing peppers with chili is just genius. The bell peppers help add some healthy nutrients to the chili. You can always use an extra veggie!
Find small bell peppers and serve the leftover chili stuffed peppers as bite-sized appetizers.
They make a great, warm appetizer for any winter party. Be sure to scoop out all the pepper seeds or you will have one spicy little dish!
If you have leftover chicken chili, try making white chicken chili dip! It is healthier than classic chili dip but still super delicious.
Add some white beans to your chicken chili if they aren’t already in the mix. Use a mix of mozzarella and white cheddar cheese to keep the dip a nice, white color.Serve the chili dip in a cast iron skillet for a fun presentation that will also help keep the dip warm.
Leftover Chili Baked Eggs
This delicious, healthy leftover chili recipe works with beef chili or veggie chili.
It is perfect as breakfast and can be made in just 15 minutes so you can get the meal on the table quickly.
Add the leftover chili to a skillet and bring the mix to a simmer. Crack the eggs right into the chili.
The heat from the chili will cook the eggs perfectly. Leave the yolks of the eggs runny to add some more sauce to the chili.Do you have questions about leftover chili? Hopefully I can answer them for you here!
You can always leave your questions in the comments below and I will try to answer them ASAP. I want to help you use up that leftover chili as quickly as I can!
Leftover chili offers a versatile base for numerous creative dishes. It can be used as a hearty filling for tacos or burritos, adding robust flavor and texture. Another option is to layer it in a casserole dish with cornbread batter on top for a delicious chili cornbread bake. For a quick and easy option, use leftover chili as a topping for baked potatoes or hot dogs, transforming them into a flavorful meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Eat Chili After 5 Days?
Yes! Chili will keep in the fridge for about 4-5 days. It should be completely safe and delicious after just 5 days in the fridge. Be sure to reheat it fully to get the best flavor.
Can You Freeze Leftover Chili?
Yes! You can freeze leftover chili. Place the chili in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Place it in the fridge to thaw overnight when you are ready to eat it.
Is Chili Spicy?
Most chilis do have a good bit of spice. They may not necessarily be hot, but they will have a lot of herby flavors.
Some chili can be extremely hot, however. They are often made with lots of peppers and chili powders.
It all depends on your recipe! Look for a mild chili recipe or one that has a lot of heat depending on your tastes.
Final Considerations
I hope you give some of these delicious leftover chili recipes a try. There are so many great ways to liven up that chili in your fridge!
Let me know which ideas you like best. Enjoy!
You might want to take a look at our Leftover Sweet Potato Recipes or our What To Do With Leftover Curry?
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