An absolute staple in my pantry are cans of chili. I was using canned chili for all kinds of things way before it became a “thing.”

For instance, there’s “Frito® Banditos.” Spread a hefty pile of corn chips on your plate, top with a serving of chili, sprinkle shredded cheese over that. Then add your shredded lettuce, sliced black olives, tomato dices, a little chopped green onion, some guacamole and finish the whole thing off with a dollop of sour cream. Whoa is this an incredible combination of flavors and textures. Hearty, too.

And we all know about Chili Dogs, right? Spread some chili over a dog, add some shredded cheese and pickle relish, and you’ve taken that humble hot dog to a whole new level.

When making meatloaf, try adding a little pureed chili into the mix. Talk about a flavor boost! It’s moist and delicious.

Or try a pan of chili-tots. Just pour a can of chili into a small casserole dish and top it all with tater tots. Bake this for about 20 or 30 minutes (until the tots are crisp and well-browned). The last 5 minutes of baking, add a generous covering of shredded cheese and continue baking until the cheese is melty. Paired with a tossed green salad, this makes a satisfying week-night meal zippy quick!

And don’t forget Chili-Mac. Add some chili to your next homemade mac ‘n cheese dish and prepare for rave reviews.

One more idea—Chili Cheese Dip (from www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com). It’s crazy simple to make: all you do is combine a can of chili, a jar of salsa, and a block of cream cheese. This combination results in a deliciously simple chili cheese dip you won’t be able to leave alone.

So here’s the deal: Any time you add beans to a dish, you significantly improve its nutrient profile by providing a concentrated source of protein, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins like folate, and minerals like iron, potassium, and magnesium. And you do this all while keeping the calorie and fat content relatively low. So how cool is it then, that you get this amazing health punch while at the same time adding incredible flavor and zing?

I rest my case for keeping cans of this delicious and remarkable food in our pantry. Chili, it’s what’s for dinner!