Sweet Sausage Chili

This Italian sausage chili recipe is a go-to for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that is full of flavor. The perfect combination of ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, and a medley of spices makes for a delicious and filling meal that the whole family will love.

Course dinner, lunch, Main Course, meal-prep, Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword sausage chili

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings 1 cup servings

Calories 695kcal

Author Erin Antoniak

Ingredients

8 strips bacon diced
1 lb ground beef
1 lb sweet italian sausage
1 white onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
32 oz kidney beans drained
32 oz white beans drained
28 oz crushed tomato
1 cup ketchup
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon dijon
1 cup water
3 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

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.

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!

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