Let’s face it: nobody ever made a little pot of chili. I live in a two person household, yet I’m always compelled to make chili in massive batches. It’s big food, and when you’re not feeding a big group, you can end up with leftovers for days, which is great – I mean, vegetarian chili is a wonderful thing, but even the most delectable of chilis can get a bit boring after a few days. How do you make leftover chili unboring? Repurpose it! Here are four ideas so scrumptious that you’ll want to make an extra massive batch of chili, just so you can try out every single one.
Use it as Stuffing
Vegetarian chili is loaded with both bulk and flavor, which makes it perfect for rounding out stuffable veggie ingredients to transform them into delicious and hearty main courses. Kitchen Treaty did just that in this recipe by filling an otherwise plain spaghetti squash with spicy vegetarian chili and topping it off with melty cheese. You can apply the same idea to things like zucchini, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, like Pancake Warriors did here.
Use it as Sauce
Vegetarian chili tends to be packed with fiber and protein, thanks to the veggies and beans that typically act as main ingredients in place of meat. This means it does a great job of balancing out otherwise carby main dishes like pasta, so you stay full and satisfied. This vegan Cincinnati chili uses lentils atop whole wheat spaghetti. If mac and cheese is your pasta dish of choice, try some chili mac.
Bake it into a Casserole
I always think of casseroles as being a lot of work. This isn’t the case when your main ingredient is already waiting for you in the fridge, in the form of some leftover chili. Making a chili casserole can be as simple as throwing some chili in a baking dish and topping it with pastry, cornbread, or polenta, like in this recipe. This chili cheese bake from Back to Her Roots makes a whole new meal out of leftover chili by baking it with a flaxbread crust.
Dress Up Your Snacks
It’s pretty much a rule that you can’t finish off all of your leftover chili without devoting at least some of it towards snacking. These vegan chili cheese fries from She Likes Food are a great way to turn your favorite chili into a snack. Want an even quicker and easier snack? Just grab a bag of chips and use your leftover chili as a dip, like Oh She Glows did in this recipe.
Joe says
I love a chili omlet!
Alissa says
Awesome idea! My husband loves omelets, so I'll keep that in mind for him. Thanks Joe!
Julia | Orchard Street Kitchen says
These are all great ideas! I love making a big batch of chili, so it's nice to have some other creative options for the leftovers. I especially love the look of that Cincinnati chili. I bet serving chili on some quinoa would be delicious, too.
Alissa says
I've tried quinoa in chili and loved it, so I bet it would be good to serve the leftover over quinoa too. Thanks Julia!
Izzy @ She likes food says
I always make so much extra chili just to ensure I will have a bunch to use as leftovers! Thank you so much for including my chili cheese fries in here 🙂
Alissa says
You're welcome! Your chili cheese fries look fantastic!
Melanie says
I always make burritos out of my leftover chili. Spoon it into flour tortillas, top with cheese, bake and serve with sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Alissa says
Yum! Haven't tried that one, but definitely will with my next batch of chili. 🙂
Jeni says
Yum. These are such great options! I usually turn my leftover chili into an easy breakfast by topping it with a poached egg and some fresh slices of avocado.
Alissa says
That sounds like an awesome breakfast! 🙂
Adam Paul says
The above all sound great! My favorite uses for extra are:
1) Frito Pie
2) Chili Empanadas
Alissa says
I definitely have to give chili empanadas a try now! Sounds awesome!