Description
This hearty Hillbilly Chili recipe combines ground beef, tender pasta, and chili beans simmered in a flavorful tomato juice base. Perfect for a comforting meal, it’s garnished with shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips, and sour cream for added texture and creaminess. Ready in under an hour, this rustic chili is a satisfying dish for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef (round or sirloin)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1-2 tbsp mild chili powder
- 4 oz spaghetti or angel hair pasta, broken into thirds
- 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, undrained
- 1 can (46 oz) tomato juice
Garnishes
- Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
- Corn chips (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, brown 2 lbs of ground beef until fully cooked, then drain off the excess fat to keep the chili rich but not greasy.
- Sauté Onions: Add the diced yellow onion to the pot and sauté until soft and translucent, enhancing the chili’s flavor base.
- Season the Mixture: Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of mild chili powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors evenly throughout the chili.
- Add Beans and Liquid: Pour in the 15 oz can of undrained chili beans and the full 46 oz can of tomato juice, mixing well to combine all ingredients smoothly.
- Incorporate Pasta: Add the broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta pieces, stirring them in to distribute throughout the chili.
- Simmer the Chili: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the chili has thickened slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls and top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips for crunch, and a dollop of sour cream for creaminess as desired.
Notes
- Adjust chili powder to your preferred spice level; start with 1 tbsp if you want a mild flavor.
- Do not cover the pot during simmering to allow the chili to thicken and flavors to concentrate.
- You can substitute spaghetti with angel hair pasta or small pasta shapes for quicker cooking.
- For a richer flavor, use sirloin instead of ground round beef.
- Garnishes like cheddar cheese, corn chips, and sour cream add texture and contrast to the hearty chili.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.