There are many ways to use leftover cheese fondue. You can mix it with pasta, macaroni, or mashed potatoes, or use it as a sauce for chicken pot pie, broccoli, or cauliflower. You can also spread it on toast, English muffins, or French bread, or use it as a topping for croutons or crackers. If you're willing to freeze your leftover fondue, you can add it to vegetable sauce or use it for a comforting bake.
What You'll Learn
Make a macaroni and cheese bake
If you have leftover cheese fondue, you can use it to make a macaroni and cheese bake. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Leftover Cheese Fondue
Start by placing your leftover cheese fondue in the fridge overnight to let it solidify. This will make it easier to grate or cut into small pieces. If you have a large amount of fondue, you can also freeze it in one-cup containers for later use.
Step 2: Cook the Macaroni
Cook a batch of macaroni according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it al dente, as it will be baked later. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray. You can use a 2-quart baking dish or a similar size, depending on the amount of fondue and macaroni you have.
Step 4: Assemble the Bake
Place the cooked macaroni in the prepared baking dish. If your leftover cheese fondue has solidified, grate or cut it into small pieces and sprinkle it over the macaroni. Use enough fondue to generously cover the macaroni. You can also mix the fondue with the macaroni before placing it in the baking dish to ensure even coverage.
Step 5: Add Extra Ingredients (Optional)
At this point, you can add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of your bake. You could try adding some of the following:
- Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the fondue-covered macaroni for a crunchy texture.
- Vegetables: Steam or sauté some broccoli or cauliflower and mix it with the macaroni before adding the fondue.
- Meat: If you have any leftover cooked meat, such as chicken or ham, chop it into small pieces and mix it with the macaroni.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on the amount of fondue and macaroni you are using, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. Once it's ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious macaroni and cheese bake!
Use it as a sauce for chicken pot pie
If you have leftover cheese fondue, you can use it as a sauce for chicken pot pie. Here's a recipe you can try:
Ingredients
- Leftover cheese fondue
- Chicken
- Vegetables of your choice (e.g. carrots, peas, potatoes, onions)
- Pastry dough for the pie crust
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Other seasonings or herbs of your choice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and vegetables by cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- Season the chicken and vegetables with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings or herbs.
- Cook the chicken and vegetables in a skillet or pot until they are fully cooked. You can also choose to bake or roast them in the oven.
- Prepare your pastry dough for the pie crust. You can make your own dough or use a store-bought option.
- Preheat your oven to a temperature suitable for baking the pie crust (follow the instructions on your pastry dough package).
- In a baking dish, place the cooked chicken and vegetables.
- Pour the leftover cheese fondue over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring everything is coated evenly.
- Place the pie crust dough over the top of the baking dish, sealing the edges to prevent leakage.
- Make a few slits in the top of the pie crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the chicken pot pie in the oven until the crust is golden brown and cooked through.
- Let it cool slightly before serving.
Using leftover cheese fondue as a sauce for chicken pot pie is a creative way to transform your fondue into a comforting and delicious meal. You can adjust the recipe by adding or substituting ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your fondue-inspired creation!
Make a broccoli and cauliflower bake
If you have leftover cheese fondue, you can make a broccoli and cauliflower bake. Here's how:
Firstly, place your leftover cheese fondue in the fridge overnight to allow it to solidify. This will make it much easier to grate. While you're waiting for the cheese to harden, you can prepare the vegetables. Chop one head of cauliflower and one large head of broccoli into 1-inch pieces. Next, steam the vegetables on the stove top or in the microwave until they are al dente, so that they still have a little bite left.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter. Drain the steamed veggies and place them in the greased casserole dish. Season with a little salt and pepper, then sprinkle the grated cheese on top. For an extra crunchy texture, you can also sprinkle some cracker crumbs over the vegetables and cheese.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. This dish is a great way to use up leftover cheese fondue and create a delicious and comforting vegetable bake.
You can also try using leftover cheese fondue in other recipes, such as macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, or as a sauce for chicken or broccoli.
Pour over steamed vegetables
If you have leftover cheese fondue, you can pour it over steamed vegetables. Here are some ways to do this:
Broccoli-Cauliflower Bake
Place your leftover cheese fondue in the fridge overnight to let it harden. The next day, grate the cheese. Meanwhile, steam a head of cauliflower and a large head of broccoli, chopped into 1-inch pieces, until they are al dente. Drain the vegetables and place them in a greased casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Broccoli and Cheese
Steam some broccoli and pour the leftover cheese fondue on top.
Steamed Vegetables
Pour leftover cheese fondue over any steamed vegetables of your choice.
Mashed Potatoes
Pour leftover cheese fondue over mashed potatoes.
Freeze it and use it another time
If you have leftover cheese fondue, you can always freeze it and use it another time. This is a great option if you don't want to waste any food, and it's also a convenient way to have a tasty meal ready to go in your freezer.
To freeze your leftover cheese fondue, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. You can use airtight containers or freezer bags. Make sure to label the containers with the date and try to use the fondue within 2-3 months for the best quality.
When you're ready to use your frozen cheese fondue, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or until it's completely thawed. You can then reheat it gently on the stove over low heat. It's important to stir it frequently to ensure even heating and prevent burning. If you find that the consistency becomes a little grainy, you can try whisking in a small amount of wine or sherry to help smooth it out.
Once your leftover cheese fondue is reheated, you can use it in various dishes. You can create a rich and delicious macaroni and cheese by heating up the fondue and mixing it with cooked macaroni. If you have extra, you can put the macaroni and cheese in a baking dish, top it with buttered bread crumbs, and bake it until it's crunchy and golden. This way, you'll have a comforting meal ready to enjoy whenever you want.
Frequently asked questions
You can use it as a sauce for pasta, chicken pot pie, or broccoli.
Yes, you can freeze leftover cheese fondue. However, it may become grainy when thawed. To smooth it out, gently reheat it on the stove and whisk in a little wine or sherry.
You can use it as a topping for croutons, or as a sauce for a grilled cheese sandwich with avocado and mango, or as a topping for roasted potatoes. You can also use it as a base for a broccoli-cauliflower bake.
You can use it to make macaroni and cheese, a white pizza, cheesy garlic bread, or cheese smothered chicken.