Fall is my favorite season and now, with these crisp cool days here, I love to cook my family belly-warming recipes. My family favorite? Chili.
There is nothing cozier than the smell of a warm pot simmering on the stove on a gloomy, crisp day.
What makes a chili recipe even better? If it can be made quickly for those busy weeknights, of course!
What I love about my chili recipe is that it can be made ahead in the morning and thrown in a crockpot for a day of cooking while we're away, or made just an hour ahead of time while the kids are doing homework. It also freezes nicely, which means I can put a homemade meal on the table I know my kids will love, even on the busiest nights.
This chili recipe is also a great meal for those of us on a budget. You can stretch your dollars by using simple canned ingredients and ground beef.
Serve it with crusty bread or cornbread and add a salad for the perfect cold-weather family-friendly meal.
Easy 5-Ingredient Chili
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans (rinsed)
- 1 packet chili seasoning (choose low-sodium for a healthier option)
Directions:
- In a medium pot, brown the ground beef on medium-high. If you want a leaner chili drain the fat.
- Lower heat to medium. Stir in the seasoning and the can of beans, then add the cans of tomatoes.
- Simmer on low about 30 minutes.
Serve hot with toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, cilantro, green onions, and hot sauce so your family can finish off their bowl just as each person likes it.
Want to pull out your slow cooker for this easy 5-ingredient chili recipe? Go for it! Simply brown the beef in a pan, then add all of the other ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Toppings are optional:
Cheddar Cheese (to taste)
Fresh Diced Jalapenos (to taste)
Roasted Chili Peppers (to taste)
TIPS:
- You can use ground turkey or other ground meet you like.
- Browning the beef helps add flavor and removes excess fat.
- If you can't find a packet use the following to taste: Chili powder, Garlic, Salt, Cumin, Onion - either dried flake or real. If you add the individual ingredients listed to taste, you can make the chili uniquely yours.
- You can use any beans I recommend Chili beans (do not rinse), Kidney (rinse), Black beans (rinse), pinto beans (rinsed), white beans (rinse).
- You can substitute the Tomatoes with any flavor of tomatoes you like. Plain, garlic, chili, jalapeno, green chili etc. Just make sure they are diced.
If you like Corn Bread check out my Korny Cornbread.
