Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (2024)

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (1)

This delicious chili recipe only needs one pan and less than 15 minutes prep time! Ground Beef, beans, spaghetti sauce and chili seasoning and you will have a great mean in just about an hour!

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This Easy Chili Recipe is the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold day! You only need one pan and takes less than 15 minutes of prep time! Ground Beef, beans, spaghetti sauce, and chili seasoning and you will have a great meal in just about an hour!

But wait…. are you ready to take your chili to the next level! Learn how to make 5-way chili! It will change the way your family eats chili!

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (2)

Simple Chili Recipe

As soon as the cold weather hits I am ready for some warm comfort food. Nothing says comfort like a warm and delicious chili!

If you are anything like me, the weeknights are hectic and I am throwing something together for dinner as the kids are coming and going from activity to activity.

That is why I LOVE this homemade Chili Recipe that my sister-in-law, Jodie, shared with me a few years ago. It is super easy to make and I can leave it simmering on the stove and the kids can grab it whenever.

What is great about this Chili, is that it doesn’t require a ton of ingredients. These are things you can have on hand all of the time.

We love to go Cincinnati style chili and serve it over spaghetti noodles! Have you ever had Skyline Chili? It is super yummy and really turns this into a full meal.

What is Cincinnati Chili?

Cincinnati Chili is often a sweeter chili and adds a little bit of cumin, cinnamon and sometimes cocoa. The chili is more of a sauce than a stew.

If you want to make this into more of a Cincinnati type of chili, use a (affiliate link) Cincinnati chili seasoning mix.

Want to take your chili to the next level? Try it 5-Ways! Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (3)

What is Cincinnati 5-Way Chili?

Chili by itself is delicious, but 5-way chili is simply epic!

1-Way Chili – The chili all alone

2-Way Chili – Chili on top of spaghetti

3-Way Chili – Add shredded cheese

4-Way Chili – Add beans OR chopped onions

5-Way Chili – Add beans AND chopped onions

OH, I forgot the best part! You make it in ONE POT! That’s right – an Easy One Pot Chili Recipe!!

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (4)Easy Chili Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground sirloin or lean ground beef (you can also useground turkey breast if you’re looking for a healthier option, but I think beef is tastier)
  • 1 package chili seasoning
  • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 jar of your favorite sauce ( I like Classico)
  • 1 can mild chili beans
  • 1 can black beans (rinsed & drained)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Spaghetti noodles (optional)

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (5)

How to Make Chili in One Pan

As I said, this is a super easy and quick to prepare dinner recipe!

First, in a large pan, saute the onion and pepper until they are soft then set them aside in a bowl.

Then, in that same large pan, brown the meat & drain.

Add the onion and peppers, seasoning, beans, sauce, and bay leaf and let simmer on low-medium heat for at least 1 hour. You will want to stir it occasionally.

Remove the bay leaf and serve with favorite toppings or over spaghetti noodles!

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (6)

More Great Dinner Recipes

  • Beef Taco Ring
  • Taco Bake
  • Pesto Chicken Skillet
  • Chicken Enchiladas

5 from 1 vote

Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (7)

Easy Chili Recipe

Serves — 6

This delicious chili recipe only needs one pan and less than 15 minutes prep time! Ground Beef, beans, spaghetti sauce and chili seasoning and you will have a great mean in just about an hour!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground sirloin or lean ground beef you can also useground turkey breast if you're looking for a healthier option, but I think beef is tastier
  • 1 package chili seasoning
  • 1 medium sweet onion chopped
  • 1 green pepper chopped
  • 1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce I like Classico
  • 1 can mild chili beans
  • 1 can black beans rinsed & drained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Spaghetti noodles optional

Instructions

  • In a large pan, sauté the onion and pepper until soft. Remove from the pan and set aside

  • In that same large pan, brown the meat & drain.

  • Add the onion, pepper, seasoning, beans, sauce and bay leaf.

  • Let simmer over low-medium heat for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

  • Remove the bay leaf prior to serving.

  • Serve with favorite toppings or over spaghetti noodles!

Nutrition Info

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1163mg | Potassium: 1165mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 655IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 5mg

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If you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this chili recipe is just the ticket! I promise it will become a regular on your dinner repertoire.

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Easy Chili Recipe! Only 1 Pan Required! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Is it better to make chili with crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce? ›

If you are making chili that will cook for 30 to 40 minutes, diced tomatoes will work best. If you want to make a quick, fresh-flavored tomato sauce with basil, choose the crushed tomatoes. You will only need to cook the sauce for about 20 minutes to get the right thickness and a balanced flavor.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Try a little fenugreek, turmeric, garam masala, or sumac to layer in more complex flavors. Smoky paprika is my own personal favorite. Squash, pumpkin, or sweet potato: Traditionalists would scoff, but soft chunks of slightly sweet butternut squash or sweet potato are delicious in a smoky chili.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Do you simmer chili with lid on or off? ›

For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot. We want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

Is tomato paste important in chili? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Do I drain beans for chili? ›

However, canned beans are soaked in a canning liquid that can throw off your dish's seasoning and texture, so it's best to drain and rinse your beans before pouring them into your pot of chili. Canning liquid can also water down and dilute the flavors of your chili.

Should you drain diced tomatoes for chili? ›

Cooking Instructions

DO NOT DRAIN CHILI BEANS. (That's what thickens it up, I don't use tomato paste) add juice and all! Do Not drain Stewed tomatoes,diced tomatoes,or tomatoes with green chiles. Add all ingredients, and seasoning, mix.

What is chili magic? ›

Where there's chipotle smoke, there's chili fire. Bush's® Chili Magic® Campfire Style brings tender pintos together with smoky chipotle and green bell peppers for quick, unforgettable chili any night of the week.​

Why do you put butter in chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

Does Wendy's put sugar in their chili? ›

Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

What are the best beans to use for homemade chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

Though it may be an unusual choice, coffee adds an earthy richness to the existing flavors and plays well with spices like cumin and cayenne pepper. Plus, it's a flexible ingredient – while we typically reach for instant espresso powder, you can also add in brewed coffee, making this dish the perfect use for leftovers.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

Why is my chili not flavorful? ›

Change up the beans. Use black beans, pintos, or a combination of beans to give more flavor. Cook the chili! If you don't cook it long enough (or put in a pressure cooker to speed up the process), it won't taste quite right.

How do you make chili taste stronger? ›

If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika. Always add a little at a time and remember, those flavors will develop in the cooking process.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

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