There’s nothing better than a big pot of one pot chili simmering on the stove. It’s rich, hearty, packed with flavor, and perfect for feeding a hungry family. The best part? Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup just as easy.
This chili recipe is loaded with ground beef, smoky sausage, beans, peppers, and bold spices, creating a thick, comforting bowl of chili everyone will love. The addition of red enchilada sauce gives it an extra layer of flavor that really sets it apart from traditional chili recipes.
If you love cozy comfort meals like this, you might also enjoy recipes like crock pot beef stew or Mississippi pot roast bites paired with no bake banana pudding for dessert.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Everything cooks in one pot
- Loaded with meat and beans
- Rich, bold, smoky flavor
- Perfect for game day or cold nights
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
Key Ingredients
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a full list of ingredients and their amounts.
- Ground Beef: This is the main protein and base of the dish, providing rich, hearty flavor and substance.
- Smoked Beef Sausage: Adds smoky depth and a different texture from the ground beef, giving the dish a richer, layered meat flavor.
- Red Enchilada Sauce: Forms the backbone of the chili-style broth, adding chili flavor, spice, and color.
- Ranch Style Beans & Black Beans: Add heartiness, fiber, and body to the dish while soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Provide acidity and balance the richness of the meat while helping build the sauce.
- Jalapenos: Bring fresh heat and brightness that enhances the chili’s bold flavor.
- Slap Ya Mama & Cumin: These spices define the seasoning profile, giving the dish its savory, slightly spicy Southwestern flavor.
Variations
- Make It Mild: Skip the jalapenos and red pepper flakes for a milder chili.
- Add More Veggies: Try adding corn, diced tomatoes, or mushrooms.
- Change Up the Beans: Use kidney, pinto, or chili beans instead.
- Add Cheese: Chili is always better with a melty layer of cheddar on top.
- Make It Even Heartier: Serve this chili over baked potatoes or rice, or pair it with garlic roasted potatoes.
How to Make One Pot Chili
Step 1: Brown the sausage in a large pot. Then, set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, cook the beef, veggies, and seasonings until the meat is brown and the veggies are tender. Return the sausage to the pot.
Step 3: Add the beans and stir. Then, add the remaining ingredients and stir again.
Step 4: Cover and simmer until piping hot and the flavors have melded.
Expert Tips
- Browning the sausage adds extra flavor to the chili.
- The longer the chili simmers, the more the flavors develop.
- A Dutch Oven is best, but a heavy pot will work, as well.
- Stir the chili occasionally to avoid sticking.
One Pot Chili FAQs
This one pot chili stands out because it combines ground beef and smoked sausage for extra depth of flavor. It also uses red enchilada sauce, which adds a rich, slightly smoky flavor that makes the chili even bolder and more delicious.
Yes! Brown the beef and sausage first. Then, add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Great toppings for this one pot chili include shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, crushed tortilla chips, and diced avocado.
Yes, and it actually tastes even better the next day. The flavors have more time to develop, making the chili richer and more flavorful.
Chili freezes extremely well. Let the chili cool completely, then place it in airtight freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.
Chili pairs perfectly with comfort food sides like cornbread, warm biscuits, crusty bread, or a fresh green salad.
Leftover chili will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Great Pairings for This Easy Chili
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One Pot Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 12 ounces smoked beef sausage, Hillshire Farms, sliced and cut in half
- 28 ounce red enchilada sauce
- (3) 15 ounce Ranch Style Beans
- (2) 15 ounce black beans, drained
- 15 ounce crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper stem and seeds removed
- 2 jalapeños, stems and seeds removed
- 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- Next, add ground beef, onions, bell pepper, and jalapeños to the pot.
- Sprinkle seasonings and cook until ground beef is no longer pink and the veggies are tender.
- Now, add the sausage back into the pot. Stir.
- Add Ranch Style Beans and black beans to the pot, stir.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
- Cover with lid and let simmer over low heat for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Serve with desired toppings; shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions.
Notes
- Browning the sausage adds extra flavor to the chili.
- The longer the chili simmers, the more the flavors develop.
- A Dutch Oven is best, but a heavy pot will work, as well.
- Stir the chili occasionally to avoid sticking.
This was absolutely perfect with my cornbread. We loved it!
Man, this is good chili, and it’s so easy. Love that.
How comforting! This was so easy and delicious..the family loved it. I hadn’t made chili in so long but I was so pleased with this recipe.
Tried it today and it turned out great. Easy cleanup and lots of flavor!
You really can’t beat a one-pot meal, and the depth of color in this chili looks absolutely mouthwatering and hearty!
This one pot chili recipe was amazing! It was easy to make an entire family loved it, can’t wait to make it again!