Late dinner
Loaded chili cheese potatoes that turn pantry staples into a stadium-worthy plate.
It is late and you want something warm and filling without much fuss.
Baked potatoes split open, chili gets ladled over the top, and a shower of cheddar and scallions makes a humble spud feel like a treat.
Ingredients
Serves 4 for late dinner chili cheese potatoes, with 10 minutes to finish (plus earlier prep) built into the plan.
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 3 cups prepared chili
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 scallions, sliced
- 1/2 tsp salt
How to Make It
For late dinner chili cheese potatoes, choose the easiest order: cook, portion, finish, then clean up before the scramble.
- If the potatoes are not pre-baked, microwave each one 5 minutes per side until tender.
- Warm the chili in a pot over medium for 5 minutes until hot.
- Split each potato open, fluff the inside with a fork, and sprinkle with salt.
- Ladle chili over each potato, then top with cheddar, sour cream, and scallions.
Do the Slow Part Early
Bake the potatoes and cook the chili ahead so the night is just warm and top.
- Bake the potatoes in the morning at 400F for 50 minutes
- Make or open the chili and keep it ready to reheat
- Shred the cheese and slice the scallions before practice
Store and Reheat
Store the potatoes and chili apart so the potatoes do not turn soggy.
- Microwave a potato 2 minutes, then reheat the chili 2 to 3 minutes
- Add a splash of water to the chili so it does not dry out
- Keeps 4 days in the fridge
- Serve with: a crisp side salad, cornbread, pickled jalapenos
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Use sweet potatoes
Their sweetness plays nicely against the spicy chili.
Go vegetarian
Use bean chili for a meatless but filling dinner.
Make it loaded
Add bacon bits and extra cheese for a stadium-style spud.
Swap to fries
Pour chili and cheese over baked fries for chili-cheese fries.
Pack tomorrow's lunch
Pack chopped potato and chili together to reheat in a thermos.
Plan The Next Step
Keep cozy fixes ready
Use the planner to stock simple, warming dinners like this for the nights you want comfort fast.