Quick & Easy “Loaded” Chili
It was Sunday night, 10:53pm to be exact, and my girls couldn’t sleep. One would think it’s Christmas Eve, they were that excited for Halloween. I remember those days… the smell of all that candy in my pillowcase… sorting candy bars, smarties and those black and orange wrapped candies that would inevitably end up in the trash. Just to throw it all back in my sack and resort it in a half hour after I watched The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Life was good.
On Halloween night, dinner can be daunting {or haunting?}. I don’t wanna dirty a ton of dishes… or make a huge production. What I want is easy, filling and hot. I usually make one of two things, sloppy Joes or chili.
How would I describe this chili?… Well, it’s chili. It’s exactly what chili should taste like. It’s hearty. It’s super easy and could possibly be the recipe that makes you toss out all of your other chili recipes for good!
It’s that good.
All you need is beans, meat, onion, sauce, spices, and then the toppings of course! Simple, easy and the best chili you’ll ever make! Didn’t I already mention that?
As you can see, I like to use two cans pinto and one can kidney beans. You could definitely do all three cans kidney beans, or two cans kidney and one can pinto or all pinto for that matter. You could also soak the dry beans overnight if you oppose the can variety. It’s just whatever you prefer.
Drain the beans and rinse them well.
Next, dice up a large onion. It’s probably gonna seem like a ton-o-onion… but it cooks down and you won’t even notice it. Promise.
Some could use olive oil… I like bacon grease. I’m a freak… and I’m completely aware and totally okay with it.
Sauté the diced onion in the bacon fat until they are soft and translucent. Don’t brown them up or anything crazy like that. Once the onions are soft, add in the 2 pounds of ground beef, chuck, round or sirloin… doesn’t really matter. I usually use whatever is on sale that day.
Once the meat is all browned and cooked through… drain off most of the fat and pour in the giant {29 oz} can of tomato sauce.
Add in the beans…
Spices…
Stir and simmer for 20 minutes then serve when it’s piping hot!
This is goooood chili… but even gooood chili needs so toppings. Am I right… or am I right?
Sour cream, cheddar, baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacon and green onions. Hallelujah!!!
Years ago, when I first made this chili, I was confuse as to why it was so effortless to make. My whole life I thought chili took hours simmering away on the stove top. I honestly thought it was an all day affair… because that’s what it tastes like. It only takes…wait for it… 45 minutes… tops!
Oh! And did I tell you?… it’s the best dang chili around!
Quick and Easy "Loaded" Chili
Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Bacon Fat or Olive Oil
2 pounds {any} Ground Beef
1 large Onion, diced
2 cans Pinto Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1 large {29 oz} can Tomato Sauce
1 tablespoon Chili Powder {I like Ancho Chili Powder}
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Sugar
2-3 shakes of Cayenne Pepper
1-2 shakes of Celery Salt
Sour Cream, to taste
Cheddar Cheese, to taste
4-6 pieces of Bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 Green Onion, sliced
Directions:
Heat the bacon fat or olive oil in a large {5 quart} dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onions until they are soft and translucent {not browned}. Add in the two pounds of ground beef and cook thoroughly. Next add the sauce, beans and seasonings. Stir and let simmer over medium-low for twenty minutes.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, a little cheddar and crumbled bacon pieces than sprinkle with sliced green onions. Enjoy!
Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
Ummmmmm! I can't wait to try this!! :-]
Stunning photos!
yummy yummy..Perfect for a cold rainy day..Which is perfect now ..
I. Might. Die. Right. Now.
Loaded chili is the only way to have chili. Amen.
I LOVE CHILI!!! This looks amazing! I've never used tomato sauce in mine, usually I do whole or diced tomatoes. I'll defiantly try the sauce next time. Which could be tomorrow, we're supposed to get a blizzard tomorrow & chili would be awesome to feast upon during a snow storm
I am grabbing them
…
Oh I love the shot with the rainbow of spices! Spuds perfect for the cold night we will be facing…
Wow looks great! Chili is one of my favorite comfort foods.
Chili is perfect for the weather that's in the forecast. Crave worthy especially with the saltines.
I love how thick and hearty this chili is! It was perfect for Halloween night!
Chili is one of my favorite fall foods – something about the spice and all those lovely toppings
Your pictures are gorgeous!
I love. love, love that you start with bacon grease! A girl after my own heart. Your chili looks so filling and delicious!
Im super pumped to know Im not the only one who makes a big batch of chili around this time of year. Last year we sat on the porch handing out candy with our big bowls of chili in hand. This year we didn't hand out candy, but there's a big batch of chili in the fridge, just in case.
I love chili, I actually just made some white chili the other day. This looks great!
I just made half of this recipe tonight…simply scratch? More like simply amazing! It was absolutely delicious and I can't wait for my lunch tomorrow!
Delicious! I used black beans and northern beans and only had 1 lb of hamburger. This is my new "go to!" thanks for sharing!
Tonight was my first time making chili ever and…….there is no need to find another recipe!! I can't believe how absolutely simple this was to make while still BURSTING with flavor. (My husband is getting his second helping right now!) Thanks for adding this recipe to my greatest hits collection!
My husband and I made this for the first time last night. We used ground turkey breast instead of beef though. We also added some diced red and green bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeno. It was simply delicious. Love all of your recipes!