Cozy & Delicious Family Chili Recipe
Warm up your evenings with this quick and kid-approved chili recipe! It’s packed with hearty flavors and simple ingredients and perfect for busy nights. Top with cheese, sour cream, or tortilla chips for a family favorite meal. It’s perfect for meal prep and freezes well!
Cozy & Delicious Family Chili
With the weather starting to cool down here in Texas Hill County, there’s nothing more comforting than warming up to a delicious bowl of chili at the end of a busy day.
As a busy mom of four (soon to be five!), I’m always trying to find ways to make a cozy meal for the family without all the hassle. One of my favorites is this delicious family chili recipe. It’s hearty and comforting, and best of all, my kids will eat it when it’s accompanied by a gooey grilled cheese!
This recipe is one I end up whipping up multiple times during the colder months. It’s packed with flavor but uses simple ingredients that I tend to always keep in my pantry. And if you have picky eaters like me, it’s so easy to customize.
So, whether you’re craving something warm after a long day or need a crowd-pleaser for game day, this chili is sure to become a staple in your family’s kitchen, too!
Family Chili Recipe
Over the years, I’ve tweaked this recipe to fit whatever we have in the pantry or whatever I’m in the mood to experiment with. One of my favorite areas to get creative is with the meat. Sometimes, I keep it simple with just ground beef, but my favorite version uses a mix of ground beef and sausage for that extra boost of flavor, which I’ve included in this recipe.
Family Chili Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 46 oz tomato juice
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- (2) 15 oz Bush’s Best Mixed Chili Beans (mild chili Sauce)
- Optional Toppings: Cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips
Family Chili Recipe
- In a Dutch oven, cook ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Then transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from the Dutch oven, but do not wipe down; leave it for flavor.
- Add olive oil, onion, garlic, and parsley to the Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until combined.
- Add the cooked meat to the onions, spice mix, and stir.
- Add tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans.
- Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes (or longer to infuse flavor).
- Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla strips.
Notes for Family Chili Recipe:
If your children do not like chunky tomatoes, substitute diced tomatoes with crushed tomatoes. This will also make for a thicker chili.
PrintCozy & Delicious Family Chili Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This hearty, family-friendly chili recipe is a simple, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. This dish is easily made with a handful of items you probably already have in your pantry. It’s a go-to comfort dish that’s perfect for game days, potlucks, or a quick and satisfying dinner. Serve it with your favorite toppings for a meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb sweet italian sausage
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt, more to taste preference
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cups tomato juice (more if desired)
- 28 oz diced tomatos
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- (2) 15 oz Bush’s Best Mixed Chili Beans (mild chili)
- Optional Toppings: Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Tortilla Strips
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, cook ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Then transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from the Dutch oven, but do not wipe it down (leave it for flavor).
- Add olive oil, onion, garlic, and parsley to the Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent.
- Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until well combined.
- Add cooked meat back to the onion and spice mix. Stir until combined.
- Add tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans.
- Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cook for at least 30 minutes (longer to infuse flavor).
- Serve with your favorites, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.
Notes
If your family does not like chunky tomatoes, replace the diced tomatoes with crushed tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
Storage & Reheating
Storage
Refrigerator: Once your Chili has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, place the mixture into a large freezer-safe ziplock bag and freeze flat. If you’d like smaller servings, place them into smaller freezer-safe ziplock bags. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
Keep in Touch!
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If you’re looking for other cozy comfort meals, check out my Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup!
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