Classic Chili
The air is turning crisp here in Ohio, and that can only mean one thing—it’s chili time! Nothing says comfort quite like a big pot of classic chili bubbling away on the stove. In our house, we love it every which way—straight from the bowl, spooned over spaghetti, paired with golden cornbread, or piled high on baked potatoes and fries. And let’s be honest, the leftovers might just be the very best part.
This recipe is pure comfort, just like mom used to make, but easy enough to throw together after a long day. So grab your coziest sweater, a big pot, and maybe a slice (or three) of cornbread—let’s make some chili magic!
WHAT IS IN THIS CLASSIC CHILI RECIPE?
This recipe is so easy… the hardest part is dicing the onion. And, to be honest, you can buy it pre-diced!
- Ground beef
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Canned tomatoes
- Tomato juice
- Beans
- Seasonings
HOW TO MAKE CHILI
Saute diced onions with ground beef for 6-7 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer.
WHAT TO TOP CLASSIC CHILI WITH
- Cheese
- Onions or green onions
- Sour cream
- Crackers
- Crumbled cornbread
MORE FAVORITE SOUP RECIPES
If you are looking for more delicious soups, try one of these other recipes:
Classic Chili
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 15oz can tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 15oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups tomato juice
- 1 16oz can kidney beans drained
- 2½ Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Method
- In large soup pot, sauté onion in olive oil for 5-6 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking apart with wooden spoon. Cook beef and onion mixtures for 6-7 minutes, or until beef is browned.
- Add remaining ingredients; stir well to combine.
- Bring chili to a low boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with desired toppings.
Nutrition
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Follow @CityGirlFarmGirl!So tell me—how do you eat your chili? Are you a straight-up-in-a-bowl person, or do you pile it on spaghetti, fries, or potatoes like we do? Drop your favorite way in the comments—I’m always looking for new ideas!
1 Comments
Crystal
September 23, 2025 at 10:25 am
Sounds delicious! We put beans in our chili also!!