10 Leftover Chili Recipes You Need to Try this Fall!

Is it even fall without chili?! We think not. The next time you make a big pot, try these simple, tasty leftover chili recipes!

Before we go any further, we've got a quick PSA to share! If you've been looking for the world's best chili recipe, your search just ended. You have to try our freezer-friendly slow cooker chili!

3 DINNER IDEAS THAT FEATURE CHILI AS A TOPPING

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If you've got a bit of chili leftover but not enough to feed the whole family, here are three easy ideas:

Chili Cheese Hot Dogs – Put your leftover hot dog buns to good use, too! Load up those dogs with cheese and a hearty spoonful of chili. Feel free to add other toppings as well! Mustard, slaw, diced onions, or relish are all delicious on them.
Nachos – We'll never say no to nachos, and we don't care what anyone says. Nachos are a meal, not a snack. 😉 If you want to make nacho night extra special, try these loaded baked potato nachos, and don't forget to add that chili on top!
Loaded Baked Potatoes – This is one of our favorite fall food ideas! Bake a few potatoes and line up all your favorite toppings for a cheap, filling, and easy dinner.

Ready for some carb loading? Up next, we've got a few pasta dishes we think you'll love!

LEFTOVER CHILI PASTA RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

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Grab a box of $1 pasta, plus a few pantry staples, and you can turn your leftover chili into an incredible dinner! Try one of these leftover chili recipes:

Chili Mac ‘N Cheese – Doctor up a box of mac ‘n cheese or make a homemade batch of macaroni and cheese! You can either mix in the chili or throw everything in a casserole dish, top with some shredded cheese, and bake at 350°F for around 30 minutes. No matter how you prep chili mac, you can't go wrong!
Southwest-Style Stuffed Shells – Stuff some pasta shells with your leftover chili, then place them in a greased baking dish. Top them all with a little extra chili and a healthy layer of shredded cheese. Bake at 350°F, then top with sour cream, guacamole, or some fresh green onions, serve, and enjoy!
Cincinnati-Style Chili – This one is easy, and it may sound a little strange, but it's so good! Top a plate of spaghetti noodles with a big helping of chili, then add diced onions and a healthy portion of shredded cheese to the top. Bon appetit!

These leftover chili recipes are comfort food at its finest, you guys!

4 MORE GENIUS WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CHILI

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Okay, these last four recipes may seem random, but they're all delicious! So say hello to some of your new favorite comfort foods.

Tater Tot Casserole – We won't pretend this is the world's healthiest recipe, but we can promise you it's delicious! Give this Crazy for Crust tater tot casserole recipe a try. Just use your leftovers instead of canned chili!
Chili Frito Pie – Does anyone else remember the chili Frito pies they used to sell at Sonic?! So good, right? Well, here's how to make them at home. Pour a bag of Fritos into a baking dish, top with chili, then add a nice layer of shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F, then remove from the oven and add another layer of Fritos and shredded cheese to the top. Bake for 5-10 more minutes, and you're all set!
Breakfast Skillet – Gather up all your leftovers and make a yummy egg skillet! The eggs and chili alone make a tasty breakfast, but if you have some potatoes to use up, toss those in, too.
Chili Cornbread Bake – Don't mind us. We're just over here drooling because of this chili cornbread casserole from Belle of the Kitchen!

We guarantee your kids will love the chili tot casserole. To be totally honest, we bet the grownups will, too! When tots are involved, what's not to love?

Now that you've got ten ways to use your leftover chili, we think you've got plenty of excuses to make several big pots this fall! #YoureWelcome

While we're on the topic of chili, what's your favorite topping? Drop a comment below and let us know!

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Want to try a few more of our favorite fall recipes?

If you love pumpkin, you have to try this pumpkin French toast!
This copycat Olive Garden Gnocchi soup is so ridiculously good.
You won't regret trying this classic meatloaf recipe! It tastes just like the kind grandma used to make.

Time for Netflix and chili?

10 Leftover Chili Recipes You Need to Try this Fall! - Shelf Cooking (2024)

FAQs

Why is leftover chili so good? ›

There's some quick science going on here: Aromatics like onions, garlic, chiles, and spices release their volatile oils as they cook, and while they cool they continue to release. Meats release collagen as they cook, but when they cool down, they gelatinize and trap more of those aromatics.

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What can I add to chili to make it stand out? ›

Perk up your pot of chili by adding in a dash of apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or fresh lime juice right before you remove it from the stovetop. The acidic pop at the end will bring out all the layered flavors you worked so hard to achieve.

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What can I use to bulk up chili? ›

Once your spices are added, it's time to bulk the chili up with our crushed tomatoes and beans. I know, I know—beans are highly debatable in chili, but they're a must-have for me. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer. For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot.

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Can you can leftover chili? ›

Canning leftover chili is a great way to save your leftovers and use them for a quick meal when you don't have time to cook.

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What ingredient will change your chili forever? ›

Another ingredient that will change your chili forever is chocolate. It balances out the spicy edge with its signature bittersweet tone. Together, they infuse the chili with a unique complexity. It's a taste sensation like no other, weaving together contrasting elements that still work in perfect harmony.

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Is 5 day old chili safe to eat? ›

Can You Eat Chili After 5 Days? Meatless chili and opened canned chili stay safe to eat for up to 7 days in the fridge. Meat-based homemade chilis kept in the fridge only last for 3-4 days. If your chili contains meat and it's been in the fridge for 5 days, you should discard it, even if it looks good.

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What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the secret to the best chili? ›

Cook it long enough

Chili recipes need time for flavors to meld and come together, and collagen-rich meat (like chuck roast or ground beef) needs 90 minutes to two hours to fully break down and become tender. If you don't have time for a long simmer, try using a slow cooker or making it the day before.

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What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

How to doctor up chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

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Why does chili taste better the day after? ›

The meat releases collagen and gelatinizes into a thicker, more luxurious texture. Same deal with vegetarian chili; the starches in beans break down, adding richness and viscosity. Plus, during that overnighter, the flavors soak into each other for a chili that's greater than the sum of its parts.

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Why is chili so satisfying? ›

Spicy Foods Can Cause a “High”

Love Spicy Food? In response, the body releases endorphins, which are pleasure causing hormones, this is the body's way of trying to eliminate the “threat” it feels when you eat spicy food.

Why does chilli make food taste better? ›

The simple answer is capsaicin, a compound found in the seeds and membranes of chili peppers. When we eat food with capsaicin, it binds to the receptors on our taste buds that are responsible for detecting heat, known as TRPV1 receptors.

Why does food taste better the second day? ›

Why does food taste better the next day? Food develops new flavour molecules, and for us, that means it tastes better. According to the study, proteins may further breakdown when the leftovers are reheated, producing new flavours which wouldn't have been there when the food was freshly cooked.