DinnerCountOne-Pot Chili
A pot of beef and bean chili in half an hour, start to finish. Brown the beef with onion, stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili powder and cumin, and let it simmer until a spoon stands up in it for a moment. Shredded cheese goes on at the table. It freezes well and is even better the next day.
30 minServes 6 as writtenOne PotAmericanContains Milk
Ingredients — serves 6
- Ground beef1 lb
- Diced tomatoes (canned)1 can (14.5 oz)
- Tomato sauce1 can (15 oz)
- Kidney beans (canned)1 can (15 oz)
- Yellow onion½ each
- Chili powder2 tbsp
- Cumin1 tsp
- Shredded cheese¾ cup
How much to make for 2, 4, 6 or 8
| Ingredient | For 2 | For 4 | For 6 | For 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | ¼ lb | ¾ lb | 1 lb | 1¼ lb |
| Diced tomatoes (canned) | ¼ can (14.5 oz) | ¾ can (14.5 oz) | 1 can (14.5 oz) | 1¼ cans (14.5 oz) |
| Tomato sauce | ¼ can (15 oz) | ¾ can (15 oz) | 1 can (15 oz) | 1¼ cans (15 oz) |
| Kidney beans (canned) | ¼ can (15 oz) | ¾ can (15 oz) | 1 can (15 oz) | 1¼ cans (15 oz) |
| Yellow onion | ¼ each | ¼ each | ½ each | ¾ each |
| Chili powder | 2 tsp | 1 tbsp + 1 tsp | 2 tbsp | 2½ tbsp |
| Cumin | ¼ tsp | ¾ tsp | 1 tsp | 1¼ tsp |
| Shredded cheese | ¼ cup | ½ cup | ¾ cup | 1 cup |
| The pan | Written for 6 adult-size portions; you are cooking for about 2 — roughly 0.3× the recipe. Less than the recipe assumes — use a smaller pot (a 4-quart pot) so the liquid stays deep enough to simmer without scorching; small amounts reduce faster, so check early. | — | — | — |
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Steps
- Chop the onion. Put the ground beef and the onion in a large pot over medium-high heat and cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes. Check that no pink remains and the beef reads 160°F on a thermometer. Spoon off the fat.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, the tomato sauce, the kidney beans (drained), the chili powder and the cumin.
- Bring it to a gentle boil, then turn the heat down to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Check that it has thickened enough for a spoon to stand in it for a moment.
- Ladle into bowls and set out the shredded cheese so everyone finishes their own.
Good to know
- Contains Milk — from the ingredient names, so not a complete list. It cannot see inside a jar, a mix or a sauce, and formulas change. For an allergy or intolerance, read the package every time — never decide from this line.
- 🌡 Ground beef — cook to 160°F at the thickest part , the USDA minimum for ground meat. A thermometer is the test; color is not.
- 🌶 Mild heat — from chili powder. For younger or sensitive eaters: start with half and taste before adding the rest.