Classic Comfort Beef Chili

Photo byGwen Wren

This hearty beef chili is the perfect comfort food, bringing back memories of childhood meals on cool fall evenings. The rich, savory aroma of simmering beef, beans, and spices fills the house, reminding you of cozy dinners with family gathered around the table. As the weather starts to cool, there's nothing better than a warm bowl of chili topped with cheese and sour cream, making it a timeless favorite for autumn nights.

Classic Comfort Beef Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cans pinto beans (15 oz each), undrained
• 1 can light red kidney beans (15 oz), undrained
• 4 cans tomato sauce (8 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons dark chili powder
• 4 cans water (use the empty 8 oz tomato sauce cans, filled with water to rinse)
• Grated cheese (for serving)
• Sour cream (for serving)

Photo byGwen Wren

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef & Onion:
   In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add Beans & Tomato Sauce:
   Stir in the pinto beans and kidney beans, without draining. Add the 4 cans of tomato sauce.
3. Rinse & Add Water:
   Fill each empty tomato sauce can with water, swirl to rinse out any remaining sauce, and pour the water into the pot (4 cans of water in total).
4. Season:
   Add 2 tablespoons of dark chili powder and mix well. (Taste before salting, it may not need anymore because of the canned beans)
5. Simmer:
   Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve:
   Ladle the chili into bowls and top with grated cheese and a dollop of sour cream.