My Sweet Italian Sausage Chili is a hearty, one-pot chili loaded with sweet Italian sausage, ground beef, crispy bacon, and two kinds of beans, all simmered in a rich, smoky-sweet tomato base. It's inspired by my neighbor's cherished recipe and has become a family favorite right alongside my classic ground beef chili and turkey chili.
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Hearty Italian Sausage Chili
I love cozy, crowd-pleasing dinners that come together in one pot, and this Italian sausage chili is one of my favorites all fall and winter. Everything cooks in one Dutch oven: crisp the bacon, brown the sausage and beef, stir in the beans and tomatoes, and let it simmer. The sweet Italian sausage adds so much flavor that it tastes like it cooked all day.
What makes this chili special is the sweet and tangy base. A little ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and Dijon balance the chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin for a flavor that's rich and smoky with just a hint of sweetness. It pairs perfectly with a slice of cornbread, or try my chili and cornbread skillet for an all-in-one version.
It makes 10 servings, so it's perfect for feeding a crowd, game day, or meal prep lunches all week. And if you need more cozy chilis like this one, you're going to LOVE my Easy White Chicken Chili or my Easy Pumpkin Chili!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big, bold flavor. Sweet Italian sausage, bacon, and smoky spices make this chili taste like it simmered all day.
- Packed with protein. Each serving has 35 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber from the meat and beans.
- One-pot dinner. Everything cooks in a single Dutch oven for easy cleanup.
- Feeds a crowd. It makes 10 servings, perfect for game day, potlucks, or big family dinners.
- Great for meal prep. It tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Sweet Italian Sausage Chili
Here's a little bit about everything that goes into this Italian sausage chili:
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty crunch. It's cooked first and stirred back in at the end.
- Ground beef: Gives the chili its classic hearty texture.
- Sweet Italian sausage: The star of the show! It adds tons of flavor from fennel, garlic, and herbs.
- White onion and garlic: Build a savory base for the chili.
- Kidney beans and white beans: Two kinds of beans add fiber, protein, and texture. Be sure to drain them.
- Crushed tomatoes: Create the thick, rich tomato base.
- Ketchup and brown sugar: Add a touch of sweetness that balances the spices.
- Worcestershire and Dijon: Bring a tangy, savory depth.
- Water: Thins the chili to the perfect consistency as it simmers.
- Spices: Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper for that classic chili flavor.
- Toppings: Shredded cheddar, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and pickled jalapeños.
Variations & Substitutions
This Italian sausage chili is super versatile! Here are some easy swaps:
- Less sweet: Cut the brown sugar down to ¼ cup and taste as you go.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet, or add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Protein: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey. Pork sausage works best here, so skip chicken sausage.
- Vegetarian: Leave out the bacon and meat and add more beans, like black beans or chickpeas.
- Slow cooker: Cook the bacon and brown the meat on the stovetop, then add everything to a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
How to Make Sweet Italian Sausage Chili
Start by crisping the bacon in a large Dutch oven, then set it aside on a paper towel. Cook the onion in the same pot, then add the ground beef and Italian sausage and brown until fully cooked, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Stir in the garlic for one more minute.
Next, add the beans, crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, Dijon, and water, then stir in the spices and bacon. Bring it to a simmer and let it bubble away for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, so all those flavors meld together. Ladle into bowls and pile on your favorite toppings!
- Step 1: Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for 2 minutes. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until fully browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Step 3: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and Dijon. Mix well, then stir in the water.
- Step 4: Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and bacon crumbles, and stir well.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Add more water if needed
- Step 6: Serve topped with cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Erin's Expert Tips
Adjust the brown sugar. If you prefer a less sweet chili, start with ¼ cup and add more to taste.
Simmer the full 30 minutes. Letting the chili bubble away low and slow is where all those flavors meld together.
Drain the beans. Draining keeps the chili thick instead of watery.
Thicken if needed. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little water and stir it in during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
Load up the toppings. Shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and pickled jalapeños take it over the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
Yes! Cook the bacon and brown the meat on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Absolutely. Hot Italian sausage gives the chili a spicy kick. You may want to cut back on the chili powder a bit if you're sensitive to heat.
Let it simmer uncovered a little longer, or stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with water during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Yes, ground turkey works great in place of the beef. For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and meat and add extra beans like black beans or chickpeas.
Skillet cornbread and white rice are our favorites. A simple green salad or tortilla chips for dipping are great too.
Storing leftovers
Store cooled Italian sausage chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If it's thickened up, just add a splash of water to loosen it.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
If you liked this recipe, try these!
Find more cozy, crowd-pleasing dinners perfect for fall and winter:
Sweet Sausage Chili
Ingredients
Method
- In a large dutch oven, cook the bacon until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, let dry on paper towel. Set aside. Empty bacon grease.
- Add white onion to dutch oven and cook 2 minutes. Then add in ground beef and Italian sausage and saute until fully cooked through, breaking up chunks of meat.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook an additional minute.
- Add in beans, tomato, ketchup, brown sugar, worcestershire, and dijon. Mix until well combined. Stir in water.
- Add chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir. Then add bacon crumbles.
- Bring chili to a simmer, and simmer for ½ hour, stirring every ten minutes. Add more water if needed.
- Serve with cheese & sour cream or greek yogurt.
Nutrition
Notes
- Adjust the Brown Sugar to Your Taste: The sweetness is what makes this chili unique and so unlike anything else, but if you prefer a less sweet chili, start with ¼ cup instead of the full ½ cup and taste as you go. You can always add more!
- Simmer the Full 30 Minutes: Letting the chili bubble away low and slow for a full 30 minutes is where all those flavors meld together and the sauce thickens into something seriously incredible. Stir every 10 minutes and resist the urge to rush it.
- Top It Right: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar, a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and some pickled jalapeños if you like a little heat take this bowl to a whole new level. Serve alongside a piece of skillet cornbread and you've got yourself an unbeatable meal!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Emma says
I make this every Halloween, and all our friends and family agree it’s the BEST! I sub breakfast sausage in place of italian sausage but follow everything else!
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy it is a hit and you make it your own! 🙂
Megan says
This is a winner in our home! We do half the beans because we don't love beans, but the flavor in this chili is a homerun!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so glad you love it and make it your own! 🙂
Gloria Wallace says
I have some hot Italian sausage would that work as well?
Erin says
Hi Gloria, yes, of course! Let me know how it comes out! 🙂
Gloria Wallace says
Erin I used the hot Italian sausage and it is delicious! The sweetness of the sauce and the heat from the sausage made it perfect! Thank you for sharing this recipe
Erin says
Hi Gloria, so happy it was a big hit!! 🙂
Jazmyne says
So yummy and cozy for this snow storm Texas is getting. I did add jalapenos for some added heat, next time may cut down on the sugar but nonetheless so good!
Erin says
Hi Jazmyne, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Bridget C says
This is so delicious and easy! Everyone loved it!
Erin says
Hi Bridget, so glad it was a hit! 🙂
Lori says
Thank you for sharing! This was easy to follow and the ingredients really stood out in a positive way. I would have never thought to pair them together in chili:)
Erin says
Hi Lori, so happy you loved it!!
Sarah says
This chili is delicious! I loved the sweet spin on a traditional chili. So cozy and good for those winter months
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Gary M says
I followed the recipe exactly and the result was really good. I will share it and make it again. The only additions that I would make (because they are personal favorites) are to add in some green pepper and some celery. But I loved it tge way written too.
Erin says
Hi Gary, so happy you loved it!!
Diane Cameron says
Is it really 64oz of beans?
Erin says
Hi Diane, yes, two different kinds!
Lauren says
This is definitely my new favorite chili recipe! Great flavor!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you liked it!! 🙂
Karen Evenson says
I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s always a hit! Every time people ask me for the recipe! I add tamed jalapeños because I love them, and added extra water when it got too thick. Delicious!!!
Erin says
Hi Karen, so happy you loved it and great idea!!
Amanda Renee says
This is the best chili ever! I've made it a few times and each time it hits the spot. Savory with a little sweetness is the perfect combo. You have to make this one!
Erin says
Hi Amanda, so happy you liked it!! 🙂
Kayla says
I keep coming back to this recipe, it's SO good! Perfect for a big group of people too. I didn't have bacon on hand for my last batch so I omitted that and it was still delish. Sent to a friend to try!
Erin says
Hi Kayla, so happy you liked it and made it your own!!
CH says
Since Erin posted this recipe, it has become my go to chili recipe. I was craving it and did not have ground beef or sweet Italian sausage on hand so I used ground chicken and continued on with the recipe as written. It came out delicious as per usual with the ground chicken and bacon. Just a solid chili base.
CH says
Since Erin posted this recipe, it has become my go to chili recipe. I was craving it and did not have ground beef or sweet Italian sausage on hand so I used ground chicken and continued on with the recipe as written. It came out delicious as per usual with the ground chicken and bacon. Just a solid chili base.
Erin says
Hi, so happy you love it and make it your own!!
Jordan says
I never do this (comment on recipes) but this is the only chili recipe I have made since this recipe came out last year. This is the best chili ever. I love the sweet and savory. MAKE THIS CHILI!
Erin says
Hi Jordan, so glad you loved it so much! 🙂
McKenna says
10/10!!!! The flavor is smoky & sweet. Such a unique chili but I’m obsessed with the flavor!! Absolutely a new staple for me.
Erin says
Hi McKenna, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂
Meg says
Made this for the first time tonight and it was a huge hit!! My kids devoured this..my new go to chili recipe 😊
Erin says
Hi Meg, so happy everyone loved it!! 🙂
Kaitlyn says
Such flavorful chili!! Obsessed.
Erin says
Hi Kaitlyn, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Molly says
I just made this chilli for the first time and it will not be the last. It’s delicious and so easy to make. A perfect fall Sunday meal!
Erin says
Hi Molly, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Molly says
Absolutely the BEST!! I’ve made it two weekends in a row. Love it!
Erin says
Hi Molly, so happy you love it so much! 🙂