*This post is sponsored by Hormel. As a Hormel Extended Family Blogger, I receive free Hormel product to facilitate my posts. All opinions are my own.
As a busy working mother of four, I depend on quick, budget-friendly, kid-approved meals. I love simple meals that can be thrown together with the ingredients I have on hand. I’ve come up with ten easy dinner ideas that you can make with a can or two of Hormel® chili and a few basic pantry ingredients.
1. Chili on Chips
This was my favorite hot lunch as a kid. Pile your favorite tortilla chips on a plate, and ladle on a scoop of your favorite variety of Hormel® chili. Top with grated cheese and your favorite veggies or sour cream.
2. Chili-Mac
Chili + Macaroni and cheese? Yes please! Mix up a batch of your favorite macaroni and cheese, and stir in a can of Hormel® chili. Some other stir-in ideas include cooked ground beef, diced tomatoes, extra cheese, or CHI-CHI’S® diced green chilis.
3. Chili Potatoes
On a cold evening, a warm baked potato can be so comforting. I’ve always loved topping my potato with a scoop of chili, grated cheese, and diced onions. A potato bar is also a fun and easy way to entertain! Put out a variety of toppings, cook up a pot of chili, and let guests top their own potatoes.
4. Chili Dogs
Hot dogs + chili + cheese + onions = one delicious dinner.
5. Chili Fries
There used to be a restaurant at my local mall’s food court that served the most amazing chili fries. One night, years later, it occurred to me to make them at home. I love using Hormel® No-Bean chili and my favorite variety of cheese sauce. Chili fries are the ultimate comfort food.
6. Chili Spaghetti
My husband is from the Midwest, where there is a popular restaurant chain that serves chili over noodles. I was very hesitant the first time he had me try it, but loved it! Now, this has become a “go-to” meal when we’re short on time. I always use Hormel’s No-Bean chili. One can easily makes enough sauce for two adults. Cook up spaghetti noodles as directed, and drain. Top with the chili, grated cheese, and your choice of veggies. I love olives, tomatoes, and onions on mine.
7. Chili Frito Wraps
Another popular chain restaurant recently took my favorite item off of their menu – a Chili Frito Wrap. It’s so good, and luckily for me, so easy to re-create at home. Warm flour tortillas. Fill each tortilla with a scoop of Hormel® No-Bean chili, grated cheese, original Frito’s, and finely diced onions (optional).
8. Chili Quesadillas
We got FIVE quesadilla makers for our wedding. Yep. Five. Whether you have an electric quesadilla maker or not, a chili quesadilla is easy to make. (And, it’s a fun twist on the classic quesadilla!) Chili, cheese, CHI-CHI’S® diced green chilis, and your favorite veggies make a tasty filling for a quesadilla. (If you don’t have a quesadilla maker, try using a pancake griddle! You can easily do two large quesadillas at once, and the griddle gives the tortillas a nice crispness.)
9. Chili Pizza
Yes. You read that right. Instead of a traditional red sauce, top your pizza crust with a can of Hormel® chili. Next, use ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, onions, and bell peppers to top your pizza. Other ideas include tomatoes and olives. You can even top with shredded lettuce or crushed tortilla chips after baking. This is a fun and unique take on pizza, and a great weeknight dinner solution.
10. Chili Pie
Totally indulgent, and totally delicious. Layer your favorite corn chips (like Frito’s) in a baking dish. Add a layer of Hormel® chili, plenty of grated cheese, and diced onions. Repeat the layers, and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Definitely a “once-in-awhile” kind of dinner, but the ease of preparation and the delicious result make it splurge-worthy.
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