Our Favorite Easy Chili
There are few things better than a bowl of cozy chili on a cold night. I’ve been making this easy recipe for years, and it delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and time (my kind of recipe!). The secret is a balanced blend of spices and the deep flavor that comes from using marinara sauce (yes, marinara!). This foolproof recipe transforms basic pantry ingredients into a satisfying meal that tastes like it simmered all day – and it’s even won chili cook-offs!
There is a lot to love about this award-winning chili recipe.
It’s easy to make BIG batches of it. It’s full of nutritious ingredients like protein, beans, and vegetables. It’s endlessly customizable. And, while it took years to get there, my kids both appreciate chili now!
If you’re wondering why you see marinara in this recipe, it’s because it’s my soup and chili secret ingredient! I saw it on the Food Network (probably while I was on maternity leave!) and have used it ever since. The marinara sauce adds major depth in flavor without requiring any extra cooking time, ingredients, or general fussiness. This chili is…
😋 Seriously delicious: Rich, hearty flavor with the perfect balance of spices and tender ground beef in every bite.
🛒 Made with simple ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples and ground beef, no specialty items required.
⏰ Quick cooking time: Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish for busy weeknight dinners, thanks to our marinara trick!
🍽️ Made in one-pot: Everything cooks in a single pot for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly: Mild enough for kids but flavorful enough to satisfy adults completely.
💰 Budget-friendly: Uses affordable ground beef and canned beans to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
🥄 Perfect for leftovers: Tastes even better the next day, so make a big batch!
You’ll also want to try my slow cooker turkey & quinoa chili and vegetarian white chili, next time.
We had this for Super Bowl Sunday. Even my husband that doesn’t like beans absolutely loved it! This is my favorite chili, perfect taste and not to hot, but can make the spice to your liking. –Lisa
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to make this ground beef chili: onion, garlic, black beans, kidney beans, ground beef, salt, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, marinara sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, bone broth, and fresh toppings as desired.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Don’t rush the simmer! Let the chili bubble gently for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop complexity.
- Feeding kids without pressure: I would recommend serving the easy chili in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter. Soups and chilis can be harder for kids to enjoy as all of the components are mixed together, so be patient, it can take years and years for them to come around. This fall was the first time I remember BOTH kids enjoying it (besides when they were tiny and would eat anything!) and they are 6 and 8.
- Variations: Add diced jalapeños for heat, swap ground turkey for beef, or throw in corn kernels for sweetness and texture.
Easy Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy chili recipe is perfect comfort food! Ready in 30 minutes with ground beef, beans, and pantry staples for a hearty, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 2 lbs. ground beef (80% lean)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. cumi
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4–1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 26 oz. jar garlic marinara (plain marinara)
- 14.5 oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 15.5 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 15.5 oz. can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup bone broth (chicken, beef, or regular broth)
- toppings: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped onion
Instructions
- Heat oil in Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, add onions, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add ground beef and garlic to pot and break up beef a bit with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle seasonings over ground beef, stir to combine, and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add marinara, tomatoes (don’t drain), beans, and broth to the beef mixture. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for at least 15 minutes or longer.
- Season with salt to taste and serve with plenty of toppings.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
- Freezer storage: Freeze portions into souper cubes (don’t forget to label!) and store in a freezer bag or container for 2-3 months.
- Ingredient notes: Instead of seasonings, you can use 1 1/2-2 tablespoons of chili powder. Add salt to taste. Be sure that your marinara sauce is a plainer version, and not one with Italian flavors. Bone broth helps add a really deep and rich flavor, but regular broth works too.
- Prep ahead: Make a full batch on weekends and reheat portions throughout the week for easy meals.
- Helpful tools: A heavy-bottomed pot distributes heat evenly and prevents burning on the bottom.
- Serve with: Cornbread, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, or over rice for a complete, satisfying meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/4 cup
Chili Toppings
Chili toppings are definitely part of the appeal of chili, don’t you agree? I love a combo of creamy, crunchy, and cool.
- Diced avocado
- Fresh lime wedges
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped onion (white onion, red onion, or green onion)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream or plain greek yogurt
- Frozen (but thawed) corn
- Pickled jalapeno peppers or salsa
- Tortilla chips, corn chips, or cornbread
FAQs
Many chili recipes call for a premixed chili seasoning, but I’ve made up my own for this particular recipe, as it’s made with really basic ingredients that you probably already have. You can also easily customize the seasonings depending on your preferences. Like your homemade chili spicy? Add some more cayenne, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce. Prefer a hint of cinnamon? Add it! Like it smokey? Add some canned chipotle peppers in adobo.
I love using marinara sauce in my soups and chilis! It all started with this easy minestrone soup, and now I’m hooked. It gives soups and chili a really rich flavor, so much more than regular diced tomatoes. Plus, I’ve come to prefer the smooth and velvety texture it adds. We also add in a can of tomatoes, so you still get some texture in there.
Leftover beef chili recipes are a fantastic lunch or dinner simply reheated, but if you would like to turn it into something different, try it on chili dip, layered into tortillas with cheese for chili quesadillas, or spread over tortilla chips and topped with cheese for a hearty pan of nachos.
More Soup & Stew Recipes
If you love warm and cozy soup season, you’ll want to give some of these other recipes a try:
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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My husband took this to a chili cook-off at work and WON!!!! Thank you!
It’s super easy and I used ground pork because I can’t eat beef. Added a few different spices too. It was great!
Thanks for your recipe!
My whole family loves this chili
We had this for Super Bowl Sunday. Even my husband that doesn’t like beans absolutely loved it! I found that this is my favorite Chili, perfect taste and not to hot but can make the spice to your liking.
Delicious! I changed it only slightly as I had 1lb of Italian sausage and 1 lb of beef on hand. I added two finely chopped jalapeños as my husband and I like spicy dishes! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
LOVE that swap! Thanks for sharing!
I am anxious to try this chili recipe using marinara but I have not been able to find any brand of marinara in the * 26 ounce * size listed in the recipe. Please advise on the one that you use. Thank you in advance!
Don’t worry if it’s not exact! If it’s around 22-30 oz. it will work fine! 🙂
Excellent????. Wonderful and delicious chili recipe????. It came together in a timely manner and it was a ‘no fuss’ meal. Thanks and God bless you and your loved ones ????????????. Take care.