Forget complicated recipes and hours in the kitchen with these Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in minutes using leftovers.
It's the perfect way to transform yesterday's dinner into a comforting and flavorful new dish.
Check out the full collection of Family Dinner Ideas for even more delicious recipes!
What do you do with leftovers? The perfect way to enjoy leftovers is to create a new meal with them!
Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier (and tastier!). I know your family will enjoy this recipe as much as mine did.
Looking for more easy recipes to add to your Meal Plan? Try my Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits or my collection of Cheap Family Dinner Ideas.
Table of Contents
How to use Leftover Chili?
With just my husband and me at home now, I've found myself with more leftovers than usual. Instead of letting them go to waste, I've been experimenting with different ways to reinvent them into exciting new dishes.
Last week I shared Crock Pot Chili with you and it was such a delicious recipe. But I thought instead of reheating it the next night, why not try spooning it on top of baked potatoes with a generous sprinkle of cheese?
Another fun way to use up leftovers is to top crispy French fries and create chili cheese fries. Or you can swap out your usual taco filling for a zesty chili surprise. The possibilities are endless!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
HONGBAKE Baking Sheet Pan Set, Cookie Sheets for Oven, Nonstick Half/Quarter/Jelly Roll Pans with Diamond Texture Pattern, Heavy Duty Cookie Tray
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, NutsDOWAN Mixing Bowls, Ceramic Mixing Bowls for Kitchen, Colorful Vibrant Nesting Bowls for Cooking, Baking, Prepping, Serving, Salad, Housewarming Gift, Microwave Dishwasher Safe, 3.7/2/1 Qt, Set of 3
Main Ingredients Needed
- Leftover chili
- Baked potatoes (1 per person)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, chopped onions, jalapeños
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Mix in some chopped bell peppers or onions to your chili for added flavor and nutrients.
- Use pre-baked potatoes from the grocery store to cut down on prep time.
- Try using sweet potatoes instead of regular baking potatoes for a fun twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry your potatoes, then pierce them a few times with a fork. Rub them with a little olive oil and salt if you like crispy skins. Bake for about an hour, or until tender.
How to Bake a Potato?
Want perfectly fluffy potatoes with crispy skins every time? Head over to my post on How to Bake a Potato for all my tips and tricks! You'll be a baked potato pro in no time.
Step 2: While the potatoes are baking, gently reheat your leftover chili on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Step 3: Once the potatoes are cooked, carefully slice them lengthwise. Fluff the insides with a fork, leaving a bit of a border around the edges. Spoon the hot chili over the potatoes.
Step 4: Add your choice of cheese then place the loaded potatoes back in the oven for a few minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Add your favorite toppings like sour cream, green onions, or chopped onions.
Before You Begin!
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Storing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: To keep your leftover baked potatoes from getting soggy, store them separately from the chili. Cool the chili completely and store it separately from the potatoes in airtight containers. Refrigerate both for up to 3-5 days.
Freezer: Let the potatoes and chili cool completely before storing separately in airtight containers. Baked potatoes can be frozen for up to a month without losing too much quality. Chili will remain fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Thawing and Reheating: Make sure to reheat the potatoes thoroughly until they are hot throughout. Then reheat the chili in the microwave or on top of the stove until warmed through.
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Chili Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 large baking potatoes; cooked
- 1 cup prepared chili
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ cup cheddar cheese; shredded
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, reheat the leftover chili until it's hot.
- Slice the cooked baked potatoes in half.
- Spoon the reheated chili over the top of each potato.
- Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Top with sour cream.
Notes
- Use pre-baked potatoes from the grocery store to cut down on prep time.
- Try using sweet potatoes instead of regular baking potatoes for a fun twist.
Kimberly Lewis says
I'm drooling right now! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
mickeydownunder says
G'day! Looks delish Lois Thanks for sharing at our #SayGdayParty;
Please make sure to revisit if you haven't already to Say G'day to the hosts and another person at the party!
Cheers! Joanne @ What's On The List Pinned
Joy says
The weather is just right for Chili Baked Potatoes! Thank you for sharing them with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- tweeted! I don't think you're on twitter much, Lois, but you gotta go see- I figured out how to add a picture to the tweet! 😀
Tiara Wasner says
I love baked potatoes/sweet potatoes I'll have to give this a try.
Kimberly Elliott says
Oh My Goodness. You've got me salivating now. This is my favorite meal of all. I could eat chili potatotes every day for dinner. Sometimes I cook my kids something "gross" like Macaroni and Cheese so mom can have a 'real" dinner of Chili potatoes. I'm so bad. But I LOVE potatoes and i LOVE chili, so put the two together and you have the perfect dinner! Thanks...now I know what we are having for dinner tonight.