Your fall and winter nights NEED this easy chili recipe! Made with my secret soup and chili ingredient, this is the best chili recipe if you’re going after a classic version. It’s even won chili cook-offs!
★★★★★ “My husband took this to a chili cook-off at work and WON!!!! Thank you!” – Tessa
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 then everyone can top their own bowls to make their perfect chili. If you’ve got leftovers, be sure to use them for super simple chili cheese dip, it’s always the first to go at parties!
Is there anything better than chili come the colder fall and winter months? I know I’m on a little bit of a chili kick, after my recent slow cooker turkey chili nachos, and my popular slow cooker turkey quinoa chili recipe.
Sure you can. The intense spices in chili will cut right through any flavors in the sauce that might not seem right for chili. Onion, garlic and basil or oregano are the flavors I’m thinking about when you say pasta sauce and none of them are going to hurt a chili pot. Just go for it.
Topping Ideas for Easy Homemade Chili
Chili toppings are definitely part of the appeal of chili, don’t you agree? I love a combo of creamy, crunchy, and cool.
Here are some easy chili topping ideas:
- 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
What to Serve with Chili
Chili is often enough on its own, but here are a few ideas if you want to add something or if you want to stretch it further:
- Air fryer broccoli and cauliflower
- Kale salad
- Kale apple slaw
- Simple side salad with your favorite salad dressing
- Fresh veggies and dip
- Fresh fruit
- Breadsticks or bread
Can I use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce for chili?
FAQ
Can you substitute marinara sauce for tomato sauce?
What is the best tomato sauce for chili?
What is the purpose of tomato sauce in chili?
Can I substitute marinara for tomato sauce?
Since both sauces are made with tomatoes as their base, it is possible to substitute marinara for tomato sauce. Using marinara instead of tomato sauce can make a recipe vegetarian-friendly, and it’s a great way to shave time when preparing weeknight dinners.
What is the healthier substitute of tomato sauce?
Tomato Sauce is the most commonly used side dish with any kind of fast food like burgers, flat breads, pizzas, fries etc. Consuming too much of ketchup will lead to weight gain and even acne problems. Ketchups have artificial colour and flavour and preservatives which are not good for digestion and cardiovascular health. Other healthy alternatives for tomato sauce are: 1) Home made tomato sauce using fresh and ripen tomatoes, garlic along with salt and sugar. 2) Tomato Chutney which is freshly homemade. 3) Tomato Gravy added and spiced with garam masala to give tangy tase. 4) Thick tomato jam which is homemade.
Can you use canned tomatoes in marinara sauce?
Recipes vary from person to person, and region to region, but you will always find garlic, onions, and basil on the ingredient list for marinara sauce. Because the flavor is very tomato-forward, it’s best to use high-quality canned tomatoes when making marinara sauce. What Is Tomato Sauce?
Can you use marinara instead of meat in red chili?
It’s a tomato-based red sauce typically served without meat. Most marinaras include garlic and Italian herbs for flavoring. You can use marinara as a substitute in many red chili recipes for tomato-based components such as pastes or purees. However, keep in mind that it may add aromatic flavors such as garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme.