There's a bit of debate about what constitutes the perfect chili. You might prefer chili with beans or without. You may add ground beef to your chili or prepare a killer vegetarian chili. Regardless of your recipe, you likely have a large amount of leftover chili after dinner. Reusing the chili in new ways can help extend the life of a simple pot of chili and make leftovers the basis for budget-friendly dinners.
Chili and Rice
Cook white or whole-grain rice, allowing at least one cup of rice per person. Serve the chili as a gumbo-style dish with a base of rice. Ordinary white rice cools down a hot and spicy chili, while whole-grain rice lets you sneak in some fiber and nutrients to your kids’ meals. Spoon the rice into individual bowls, top with the chili and serve garnished with a sprinkling of cheese over the top.
Homemade Chili Spaghetti
Skyline Chili and Goldstar Chili made a fortune off those that enjoy chili spaghetti. The recipe is simple: Prepare your favorite type of pasta. Arrange the spaghetti on a serving platter and top with warm chili. For the restaurant experience at home, garnish the chili spaghetti with grated cheese and onions. Serve hot sauce and oyster crackers on the side.
Taco Salad Ideas
Turn leftover chili into the makings of a zesty taco salad. Use the chili in place of ground beef or your traditional taco salad topping. Use tortilla chips or nacho-flavored chips as the base of the taco salad. Alternatively, you can use a crunchy tortilla shell. Top the chips with lettuce, tomato, onions, grated cheese, refried beans and taco sauce. Add a scoop of chili; top with sour cream and guacamole. If you plan to serve several people, arrange the toppings and additions individually in small bowls. Let your guests assemble their own customized taco salad.
Serve with Hot Dogs or Sausages
When I was a kid, my mom made hot dogs in a Sloppy Joe mixture, which gave the hot dogs a slightly sweet and spicy taste. This idea yields the same result, but here, leftover chili takes the place of the Sloppy Joe mixture. Add a package of your favorite hot dogs or pre-cooked sausages to a pot of chili. Simmer the mixture over low heat, until the hot dogs or sausages are warmed through. Serve the hot dogs or sausages on toasted buns with a little chili and grated cheese on top. You can also assemble the dish in your slow cooker and cook on low heat. The longer you allow the mixture to cook, the more flavor the hot dogs will absorb.
Jennifer Eblin - Jennifer Eblin received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Dayton before re-enrolling and finishing a B.A. in History. During ...
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