Five-Ingredient Chili
A quick and hearty chili made with just five main ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights and satisfying enough for the whole family.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or sausage) Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and fat.
- 1 medium white onion (or yellow onion, chopped) Pick a firm onion and dice it evenly.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 15 oz diced tomatoes Canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes are a good upgrade.
- 30 oz chili with beans Choose any pre-seasoned brand you like.
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, for topping) For a delicious finish.
Instructions
Cooking
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven set over medium heat, add the ground beef or sausage. Break it up with a spatula and cook until no longer pink and beginning to brown on the edges.
- Push the meat to one side, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan, and stir them into the meat. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3–5 minutes.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and the chili with beans straight from the cans. Stir everything together to combine.
- Bring the pot up to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheddar. Serve immediately.
Notes
This chili tastes even better the next day. For an extra twist, try adding cooked lentils or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version.