Creative Ways to Transform Your Super Bowl Leftovers!

Plus a 10/10 Chicken Taco Soup Recipe!

Happy Monday!  If you’re here for the Chicken Taco Soup recipe, that’s bonus content for paid subscribers.  Scroll to the bottom!

I hope you all had a fantastic Super Bowl Sunday filled with delicious food, good company, and maybe even a little friendly competition! We had a small get together and went a little different on the food this year (Philly cheesesteaks versus chili), but it was a success, which was good because the game was boring! But now that the Super Bowl is over, you might be staring at a fridge full of leftovers like I am, wondering what to do with them. You know I love a no–food-waste challenge, so instead of eating the same thing on repeat, here are 20 creative ways to transform your game-day favorites into new, exciting meals! You will have a to wing it a little based on your quantities of leftovers.

1. Leftover Chili → Chili Baked Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F, rub softened butter on whole potatoes, and bake on a thin bed of kosher salt for about 50 minutes until tender. See this recipe on my site. Slice open and top with reheated chili, shredded cheese, sour cream, and scallions for a comforting meal.

2. Chicken Wings → Buffalo Chicken Salad

Remove the meat from leftover wings and toss it with crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and blue cheese or ranch dressing. Add extra buffalo sauce for more kick!

3. Nachos → Sheet Pan Chilaquiles

Spread leftover nachos on a baking sheet, drizzle with salsa, and warm in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes. Top with fried eggs, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese for a delicious breakfast twist.

4. Guacamole → Creamy Avocado Pasta

You have to wing it a little.  Blend leftover guac with a splash of olive oil, lemon juice, and reserved pasta water to create a smooth sauce. Taste before committing. Toss with hot pasta and finish with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan.

5. Queso Dip → Cheesy Scrambled Eggs

Add a smidge of butter or plant butter to a skillet and melt over low heat.  Whisk eggs and pour into the skillet, stirring gently. When almost set, mix in a few spoonfuls of warmed queso dip, then serve with toast or tortillas.  Or spread the queso dip on toast and top with cooked eggs.

6. Pulled Pork → BBQ Pizza

Use this taco pizza recipe as a guide.  Spread BBQ sauce over a pizza crust, then top with pulled pork, shredded cheese, and sliced red onions. Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.

7. Meatballs → Meatball Subs

Slice hoagie rolls and fill with reheated meatballs and marinara sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella, then broil for 3-5 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Or crumble meatballs and add to sauce for a “Bolognese” sauce for pasta.

8. Seven-Layer Dip → Southwest Grain Bowl

Top quinoa or brown rice with leftover seven-layer dip, grilled chicken or black beans, shredded lettuce, and avocado. Drizzle with extra lime juice and serve chilled or at room temperature.

9. Pigs in a Blanket → Breakfast Casserole

Chop leftover pigs in a blanket and mix them into an egg casserole with whisked eggs, shredded cheese, and diced bell peppers. Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until set.

10. Sliders → Next-Day Paninis

Press leftover sliders (add cheese if you like) in a panini press or toast them in a skillet with butter, pressing down with a spatula. Serve with a side of pickles or a simple salad.

11. Spinach Artichoke Dip → Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Slice a pocket into chicken breasts and fill with leftover dip. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and juicy. Or make Spinach-Artichoke Spaghetti Squash.

12. French Fries → Loaded Fry Frittata

Kind of like a Spanish Tortilla (frittata with fried potatoes.) Chop fries into bite-sized pieces and stir into a whisked egg mixture with shredded cheese. Cook on the stovetop until set, then broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispy top.

13. Cheese Board Leftovers → Fancy Grilled Cheese

Layer leftover cheeses and cured meats between two slices of good bread, (if yu have any caramelized onion jam, add that too) then toast in a skillet with butter until golden and melty. Serve with grainy mustard or a fruit spread.

14. Hummus → Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Toss cooked pasta with hummus (add pasta water if it’s too thick), cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and crumbled feta for a creamy, protein-packed salad. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra substance.

15. Soft Pretzels → Pretzel Croutons

Cube leftover pretzels and toss with olive oil and a pinch of garlic powder. Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until crispy, then sprinkle over salads or soups.

16. Coleslaw → Tangy Taco Topping

Use leftover coleslaw as a fresh, crunchy topping for tacos or BBQ sandwiches. Add a squeeze of lime juice for extra brightness.

17. Deviled Eggs → Egg Salad Toasts

Mash deviled eggs with a fork and spread onto toast or crackers. Garnish with chives, hot sauce or paprika for an easy snack.

18. Cornbread → Cornbread Panzanella

Cut stale cornbread into cubes and toast in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Toss with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a simple vinaigrette for a Southern-style bread salad.

19. Salsa → Salsa-Braised Chicken/Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos

Simmer boneless, skinless chicken thighs in leftover salsa over medium-low heat for 20 minutes until tender. Shred and use for tacos, burrito bowls, or enchiladas.  Or use this slow cooker recipe.

20. Leftover Chips → Breadcrumb Alternative

Crush leftover chips (tortilla, potato, or pretzels) and use them as a crunchy topping for casseroles, mac and cheese, or as a breading for baked chicken or fish. Or add tortilla chips to a chicken soup for a “tortilla soup.”  I added an amazing recipe recently for paid subscribers for Tex-Mex Veggie Burgers using tortilla chips and Tuna Noodle Casserole using potato chips.

With these ideas, you can make the most of your Super Bowl leftovers without feeling like you’re eating the same thing for days! Which idea are you trying first? Or do you have a creative leftover hack of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Even More Musings is an extension of my weekly newsletter, Monday Musings. My newsletter is a sponsor-free zone and is fully supported by readers like you. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to get Even More Musings! Each week, I share my tips and tricks along with a new recipe. For only $5/month or $50/year (less than $1 a newsletter), you'll also gain access to the entire archive, featuring favorites like My New Hyper-fixation High-Protein Fluffy Breakfast Bowl  and the Hillstone Copycat Emerald Kale Salad.  This week I am sharing a recipe for a Chicken Taco Soup which Hubs gave a 10/10!! Tastes like something from a restaurant!