Andy Montoya
If you're looking for ways to use up leftover nacho cheese sauce, there are plenty of options to consider. You can add it to macaroni for a delicious, cheesy pasta dish, or pour it over vegetables, a baked potato, or fries. You could also use it as a base for a frittata or vegetable gratin, or simply make another batch of nachos! If you're feeling creative, why not try making a Nacho Cheese Dorito Casserole or mixing it with chilli and pasta for a unique take on a classic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reheating | Reheat in a saucepan or microwave. Add milk to thin out the sauce. |
| Storage | Store in the fridge for a few days. |
| Uses | Mac & cheese, serve over veggies, Welsh rarebit, loaded baked potato, nachos, or chili cheese fries. Can also be used for a frittata or vegetable gratin. |
| Recipes | Nacho Cheese Dorito Casserole, Macaroni and Leftover Nacho Cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Use it in a macaroni dish
You can easily use leftover nacho cheese sauce in a macaroni dish. This combination is a great way to bring together the comforting flavours of mac and cheese with the spicy kick of nachos. Here's a recipe for a delicious Nacho Mac and Cheese:
Ingredients
- Macaroni
- Cheese (cheddar and pepper jack)
- Leftover nacho cheese sauce
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Onion
- Jalapeno
- Can of diced tomatoes and green chillies
- Cilantro
- Doritos or tortilla chips
Method
- Boil the macaroni as per the instructions on the package, but reduce the cooking time by 3-4 minutes as it will cook further in the oven and sauce. Drain the pasta, reserving a quarter cup of the pasta water.
- In a separate pan, heat the leftover nacho cheese sauce along with the additional cheese, diced tomatoes and green chillies, onion, and jalapeno. You can also add some salsa and green chillies for extra spice and flavour.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle crushed Doritos or tortilla chips on top for a crunchy texture.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chips are toasted.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients and cooking times to your preference and enjoy your delicious Nacho Mac and Cheese!
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Make a loaded baked potato
If you're looking for a way to use up leftover nacho cheese sauce, why not try making some loaded baked potatoes? This delicious dish is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own nacho-style loaded baked potatoes:
Prepare the Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash and dry the desired number of potatoes, then use a fork or paring knife to puncture each potato in several spots. This helps the potato bake evenly and prevents it from bursting. Next, rub each potato with a light coating of oil. This step is important as it ensures the potato skin becomes crisp and flavorful during baking. Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about an hour, or until the skins are crispy and the insides are fluffy.
Make the Toppings
While the potatoes are baking, prepare your toppings. For the classic nacho experience, you can top your potato with sour cream, refried beans, pico de gallo, and avocado. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add ground beef, bacon, chives, or even jalapenos. Don't be afraid to get creative and treat your baked potato as a blank canvas! Just remember that the real star of the show is the nacho cheese sauce.
Assemble the Potatoes
Once the potatoes are baked, carefully slice them open and scoop out the fluffy insides into a bowl. Add a generous amount of butter and mash the potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. You can also add additional seasonings to taste. Now it's time to assemble your loaded baked potatoes! Simply scoop the mashed potatoes back into the potato skins, reshaping them into their original form. Pour your leftover nacho cheese sauce over the potatoes and add your desired toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating
If you have any leftover loaded baked potatoes, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the oven or microwave until heated through. If your cheese sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding a small amount of milk and gently reheating it in a saucepan or microwave.
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Mix it with veggies
If you have leftover nacho cheese sauce, there are several ways to mix it with veggies. One option is to simply serve the sauce over vegetables of your choice. You can also use the sauce in a vegetable gratin or bake some potatoes with broccoli and cheese. For a healthier option, avoid reheating the sauce in a microwave as this can affect the texture. Instead, reheat the sauce in a skillet over low heat and add water or milk to restore its creamy texture.
- Baked Potato: Top a baked potato with steamed broccoli and leftover nacho cheese sauce for a hearty and cheesy dish.
- Vegetable Gratin: Use the leftover nacho cheese sauce in a vegetable gratin. For example, you can make a cauliflower gratin by layering sliced cauliflower with the cheese sauce and baking it in the oven.
- Loaded Nachos: Cut up some potatoes into thin slices or wedges, and bake them until crispy. Top them with leftover nacho cheese sauce, chopped onions, tomatoes, and any other vegetables of your choice.
- Cheesy Vegetable Dip: Reheat your leftover nacho cheese sauce and use it as a dip for raw or steamed vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli, or cauliflower.
- Cheesy Vegetable Casserole: Create a vegetable casserole by layering cooked vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and onions with the leftover nacho cheese sauce. Bake it in the oven until bubbly and golden.
Remember to be creative and adjust the recipes to your taste preferences and the vegetables you have on hand. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations of veggies and nacho cheese sauce!
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Make chilli cheese fries
If you're looking for a way to use up leftover nacho cheese sauce, why not try making chilli cheese fries? This fun, decadent dish is a great way to transform your leftover sauce into a delicious meal. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
For the fries:
- French fries (store-bought frozen fries or homemade)
- Olive oil
- Salt
For the chilli:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Tomato sauce
- Beans
- Chili seasoning
- Vegetable oil or another neutral-flavored oil (such as canola or avocado oil)
- Garlic
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Crushed tomatoes
- Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
For the cheese sauce:
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Cheese powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare your French fries. If using frozen fries, spread them out on the prepared baking sheet and bake according to the package instructions until golden brown and crispy. If making homemade fries, cut potatoes into wedges or shoestring fries, toss with olive oil and salt, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- While the fries are baking, prepare your chilli. Sauté diced onions in vegetable oil until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute or so. Then, add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, beans, chili seasoning, and chipotle peppers with adobo sauce. For extra flavour, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce. Simmer the chilli until it reaches your desired consistency—not too runny, but not too thick.
- Make the cheese sauce by creating a roux. Melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk until you have a thick, creamy sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and cheese powder if using. Continue whisking until all the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Once your fries are crispy, remove them from the oven. Pile them onto the centre of the baking sheet and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Place them under the grill until the cheese is melted.
- Now, assemble your chilli cheese fries. Spread the chilli over the bed of cheesy fries, and then drizzle the warm nacho cheese sauce on top. Garnish with chopped scallions or green onions, and a drizzle of taco sauce or hot sauce if desired.
- Serve your chilli cheese fries immediately with forks and plates. Enjoy this delicious, indulgent treat!
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Make a Nacho Cheese Dorito Casserole
If you're looking for a fun and easy way to use up leftover nacho cheese sauce, why not try making a Nacho Cheese Dorito Casserole? This tasty dish is perfect for game day, parties, or just a simple family meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this delicious and crowd-pleasing casserole!
Ingredients:
- Nacho Cheese Doritos (or any other variety of Doritos)
- Ground beef
- Cheese (Mexican-style, cheddar, jack, or pepper jack)
- Taco seasoning
- Black beans
- Corn (canned or frozen)
- Sour cream
- Chunky salsa (mild, medium, or spicy)
- Olive oil
- Onion
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large pan, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Next, add your ground beef and cook until browned. Don't forget to drain the grease!
Now it's time to add the taco seasoning, water, salsa, black beans, and corn to the beef mixture. Stir everything together and cook until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sour cream, cheese sauce, and any additional cheese you'd like to include. Let this delicious mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
It's now time to assemble your casserole! In an 11x7 casserole dish, spread a layer of crushed Doritos, followed by half of your beef mixture, and then a layer of shredded cheese. Repeat these layers, making sure to spread each layer evenly.
Finally, bake your casserole at 350°F for 25 minutes. For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some additional cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes.
Your Nacho Cheese Dorito Casserole is now ready to serve! This dish is sure to impress and will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy the perfect combination of crunchy chips, savoury beef, and ooey-gooey cheese in every bite. Feel free to top your casserole with sour cream, diced tomatoes, green onions, or any other desired toppings!
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Frequently asked questions
Leftover nacho cheese sauce will last for a couple of days in the fridge.
Reheat the sauce gently in a saucepan or the microwave. If it's too thick, add some milk to thin it out.
You can use leftover nacho cheese sauce to make macaroni and cheese, serve it over vegetables, use it in a frittata, or make Welsh rarebit, loaded baked potatoes, or chili cheese fries.
Yes, you can use leftover nacho cheese sauce to make nachos. You can also add other ingredients like canned chilli or taco meat.
