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Bowl of one‑pot chili served with a spoon, ready to enjoy.

One-Pot Ground Beef Chili Recipe (Easy Family Chili)

This hearty one-pot chili combines seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, onions, and tomato sauce into a rich and comforting meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, freezer meals, or feeding a crowd with minimal cleanup.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 295

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 1 can Kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 1 jar pasta sauce (jar of Catelli Garden sauce)
  • 1 jar water (use the empty sauce jar)
  • 1 pack Chili seasoning

Method
 

  1. Place a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in the drained kidney beans.
  4. Pour in the pasta sauce and fill the empty sauce jar with water, then add that to the pot.
  5. Sprinkle in the chili seasoning and stir everything together until well combined.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  7. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes until the chili thickens and the flavors blend together.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with shredded cheese, sour cream, crusty bread, rice, or tortilla chips.