Easy Chili

It cold outside this evening. Nothing helps keep out the winter chill like a steaming bowl of chili. Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul? Look no further than this easy chili recipe! Packed with flavor and a perfect blend of spices, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Let's dive into the details for Easy Chili.

I have a list of ingredients to share below, but please remember to include anything else you might have on hand that your family might enjoy. For instance, if am out of black beans I will just add another can of kidney beans.

This recipe calls for cans of beans but if you have dry beans, just plan a bit ahead or cook your dry beans in the instant pot or on the stovetop. I use a portion of my cooked beans in my chili recipe when I do this and then I freeze a couple of portions for the next time I make chili.

Ingredients

For the Chili:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions.

Spice Blend:

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the pot. The next step is to sauté until vegetables are softened.
3. Spice it Up: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the meat and vegetables. Next stir well to coat.
4. Tomato Goodness: Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Add Beans: Incorporate the kidney beans and black beans into the pot. Mix well.
6. Pour in the Broth: Pour in the beef broth, ensuring everything is well combined. Bring the chili to a gentle simmer.
7. Add in elbow noodles: If you like elbow (macaroni) noodles in your chili now is the time to add them.
8. Simmer and Serve: Let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The longer, the better! Serve hot, and garnish with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions or you might prepare corn muffins or cornbread to eat alongside the chili or crackers can be used.

Conclusion

There you have it – the ultimate easy chili recipe that will spice up your dining experience. This recipe is not just a meal; it's a celebration of flavors that will leave everyone craving for more. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and treat yourself to a bowl of sizzling delight. Your taste buds will thank you!

Always remember to improvise if you are missing one of the ingredients for this recipes and most other recipes for main dishes. This is not as successful when baking. For instance we might use our home preserved tomatoes instead of commercially canned tomatoes. If I am out of cloves of garlic, I may substitute some garlic powder.

Finally, if you have leftovers of this chili, it tastes even better the next day. If you want to change things up, I have used leftover chili as a topping for baked potatoes to create a second easy to prepare meal. I talk about cooking once and using the food for more than one meal in this post 3 Ways To Save On Your Food Bill. This creates a whole new meal with minimal effort on your part.

Another option is to freeze small portions of chili. This works great for an easy lunch. I thaw the chili in the fridge in the morning and by lunch time it is ready to go on the stove to be warmed up. I get the great taste of chili and it does not take long to prepare a quick lunch.