8 Meals to make with left over chilli

I probably make a chilli in the slow cooker twice a month. It is one of our favourite meals. Sometimes it has meat in it (I brown the mince first before putting in the slow cooker). Odd times I use pulled chicken. More often than not, it has just vegetables and fungi, or vegetables and lentils in it.. By using mainly homegrown ingredients I can make it for pennies, especially when using my own tomatoes. A slow cooker full will make us numerous meals, but it is boring just serving it with rice.

Here are 8 meals to make with left over chilli. They all stretch the chilli to make more meals, which makes life easier. Chilli freezes well and so cooking one chilli can save you a lot of effort and money when making other meals. They also add variety as there is nothing worse than eating the same meal regularly. Most of these have the same ingredients but are served in different ways. What do you do with left over chilli?

Chilli cottage pie

I warm up the chilli and cover with mash potato in a oven proof dish. Sometimes I put cheese into the mash. Other times I sprinkle cheese on top. I cook this in the air fryer or oven, but it can also be cooked in a microwave. This photo was before it was cooked.

Chilli garlic pie

Put the chilli into an oven proof dish. Heat some butter and fresh garlic together in a ramakin or something. Cut up a part cooked baguette into slices and place these on top of the chilli to cover it. Brush the bread with the garlic and the butter, and cook. Cheese can be added near the end if wanted. I have used this to feed 3 or 4 people served with roasted veg (peppers, onions, etc).

Nachos

This makes a great snack or starter. On a plate I put a layer of dorito style corn chips (plain tortilla crisps), a layer of chilli, some grated cheese on top, and then repeat, finishing with cheese. These can be cooked, in the airfryer, the oven, or the microwave. Sour cream and guacamole can be added on top if you have some, but we don’t usually bother.

Potato nachos.

This is made the same way as ordinary nachos, but instead of using tortilla chips, it is layered with airfried or fried sliced potatoes. This makes more of a meal and we serve it with salad.

Pasties.

To make these I microwave a sweet potato, and take the soft inside out. I mix this with a few spoons full of left over chilli, and a small handful of grated cheese. Using home made short crust pastry I make pasties. These can be cooked straight away or frozen, defrosted, and cooked fresh when needed.

Chilli pie.

In a greased flan dish, I make a base of mashed potato and cook this in the air fryer or oven for 5 minutes. I then put some chilli inside the flan, sprinkle with tortilla chips, and some grated cheese. This is then cooked in the airfryer or oven.  This can feed 4 with salad or vegetables.

Cheesy chilli hot pot.

I made this the other day. It is bbasicallywarmed up chilli with cheesy chips on top. I cooked my potatoes in the air fryer and sprinkled them with cheese for the last 2 minutes. I then just placed them on top.

It can also be made in a casserole dish in the oven if the potatoes are par boiled first. Put the chilli into the oven proof dish. Place the par boiled pootatoes on tp, brush with oil or butter, and cook. When the potatoes are sllightly browned, cheese can be sprinkled on top.

Chillli soup and cheese on toast.

Some times I will water the chilli down a bit and add a bit of tomato sauce. This makes a soup. I then eat it with crusty bread or cheese on toast.

Vegan chilli in the slow cooker