10 Things to Do with Leftover Chili

Here are 10 easy weeknight meals to use up your extra chili.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Chili x 10

A large pot of chili takes only a little bit more work than a small one, so you may as well go big and use the leftovers in these creative dishes. 

Shepherd’s Pie

Warm the chili in a baking dish — stir in frozen peas for an extra hit of veggies if you’d like — and top with mashed potatoes. Bake till brown and bubbly, and dig in.

Empanadas

Fold prepared dough circles (empanada wrappers or pie dough work great) around leftover chili, crimp to seal and bake till golden. Serve with sour cream for dipping.

Chili Mac

The only thing better than mac and cheese is chili mac and cheese. Stir leftover chili into your favorite mac-and-cheese recipe and serve as is, or use to top hot dogs for a tailgate-style feast.

Picadillo

Warm up tomatoey chili with a generous dose of raisins and green olives to make this Cuban classic. Serve over rice. 

Enchiladas

Gently fry corn tortillas and roll them around shredded cheese before tucking into a pan, topping with leftover chili and baking. 

Shakshuka

The Middle Eastern fricassee has only a few must-have ingredients: tomatoes, chiles, onions and eggs. Poach eggs in leftover chili and you’re there. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

Chili Eggs Benedict

Warm leftover chili and spoon over toasted English muffins before topping with poached eggs and hollandaise. Sweet potato hash alongside it would work nicely.

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Bake potatoes, halve them, scoop out their filling, mash and swirl chili in. Spoon back into the skins, top with shredded Jack cheese, and bake till warm and golden.

Tamale Pie

Pour chili into a baking dish, top with dollops of your favorite cornbread batter, and bake until golden and bubbling. Spike the batter with cheese and fresh corn to really go all out. 

Stuffed Peppers

Add cooked rice or quinoa to the chili and spoon into hollowed-out peppers with a flurry of freshly grated Parmesan, then bake until the peppers are soft and the filling is heated through.