When it comes to comfort food, nothing satisfies like a hearty bowl of chili. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or something to wow a crowd, this Quick & Easy Chili recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal effort. Packed with savory ground beef, robust spices, and hearty kidney beans, it’s the kind of meal that warms your soul and your kitchen. What sets this chili apart, though, is its reliance on one simple ingredient to elevate its taste: salsa. The salsa does the heavy lifting, infusing the chili with a balanced blend of tang, spice, and freshness, so there’s no need for hours of simmering.
Using salsa as a base ingredient is a game-changer for flavor and convenience. It combines tomatoes, onions, peppers, and seasonings into one jar, making it a perfect shortcut for chili without compromising depth. Whether you prefer mild, medium, or hot, the salsa’s flavor profile will shine through, so choose one you truly love. The possibilities are enormous, and it’s fun to experiment until you find your favorite combination.
While this chili is a crowd-pleaser on its own, it also doubles as the ultimate topping for Chili Dogs with Cheese. Picture this: juicy hot dogs nestled in soft buns, smothered with a generous scoop of chili, and crowned with melted cheddar or your favorite shredded cheese. It’s a match made in comfort-food heaven, perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or simply indulging in a nostalgic treat. The chili’s thick consistency ensures it stays in place, making every bite as delicious as the last.
Whether you’re serving it as a standalone dish or taking your hot dogs to the next level, this Quick & Easy Chili recipe is bound to become a go-to in your meal rotation. It’s fast, flavorful, and endlessly versatile, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something memorable. So grab your favorite salsa, fire up the stove, and let the magic begin!
Quick & Easy Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef lean
- ½ onion diced
- 2 garlic clove minced
- 2 cans tomato sauce 15oz
- 1½ cups jar salsa
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 can dark red kidney beans 15 oz, drained
- Shredded cheddar cheese optional
- Sour Cream optional
Instructions
- Over medium heat, brown 2 lbs ground beef in a dutch oven or large pot. Drain excess fat.
- Add the ½ onion (diced) and cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is tender. Add 2 garlic clove (minced) and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add 2 cans tomato sauce, 1½ cups jar salsa, 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, and 1 can dark red kidney beans (drained). Mix well.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and serve with Shredded cheddar cheese and Sour Cream, if desired
Notes
Nutrition
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2 comments
This is awesomely delicious. Makes 6 cups, just enough for us 2 to est for s few days. Seasoning is the best. Make it with my homemade salsa. Yum
Yum! Love this- you can take the flavor in many different directions depending on what kind of salsa you use :)