A Creative way to use up your leftovers.
We’ve all been there, staring into the abyss that is a fridge full of odds and ends. One kid is complaining about a Lego plane falling apart for the hundredth time, while the other starts with the questions, ”but why do I have to do this, MOM!” You have about 30 minutes before one of you loses it, and delivery just isn’t an option. Enter Leftover Nachos. Yep, I’m suggesting it, give them what they crave and make your life a little easier. Plus they’re made with chips packed with seeds, so yay for that.
I’m intrigued, what’s in these so-called, “Leftover Nachos”?
I use these awesome tortilla chips from Late July that are packed full of seeds and quinoa and whatever other wholesome things they find, so I feel a lot less guilty giving this meal to my little ones. Then I top it off with whatever I have in my fridge-leftover ropa vieja, black beans, frozen corn, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, olives, seriously, if it’s covered with cheese sauce, my kids will eat it.
But I don’t have the Franken-Cheese!
Onto the cheese sauce. Now I know I’m going to get some eye rolls, but I make my own. Honestly, it takes the same amount of time to prepare, if not less, than heating some franken-cheese. Check out the recipe for my nacho cheese sauce here. Keep in mind that I LOVE spicy, so start slow and steady when you’re adding your cayenne. I like 1/2 a teaspoon, but you should start with 1/8th and work your way up from there.
Putting it all together.
Heat all your leftover goodies in the microwave. Meanwhile, in a skillet or on a sheet pan, layer the chips and sauce. Then top with all your leftover goodness. Look at you; you’ve survived another dinner.
enjoy!
xx
the turnips + tantrums team
Nacho Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1 jalepeno chopped
- 1 tomato diced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tbsp gluten free flour or regular flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese Any hard cheese will work.
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat oil over high heat.
- Once shimmering, add onion and jalapeno. Cook until onion is translucent, 2-3 minutes
- Add tomato and cook until mushy, 2-3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant 1-2 minutes.
- Add flour and mix until a uniform paste forms, 1 minute.
- Add milk and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes
- Slowly add cheese until melted and combined.
- Add cayenne pepper, 1/8 tsp at a time until desired spice level is reached.
- Season with Salt and Pepper.
Nutrition
Recipe Source: Turnips + Tantrums original recipe.