Leftovers Done Right: Chili Baked Potatoes

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?
• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Main Ingredients Needed
• Recipe Variations and Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• How to Bake a Potato?
• LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
• Storing and Reheating Tips
• More Recipes to Love
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

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 TrayGeedel 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

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.

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.

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.

More Recipes to Love

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