Cafeteria-Style Chili

SERVES: 5

COOK TIME: 55 Min

Nothing beats Cafeteria-Style Chili for a warm, comforting meal. Fill your lunch thermos with this easy chili recipe or serve it for a hearty dinner and it'll bowl them over!

What You'll Need

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, undrained
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

What to Do

In a soup pot, brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 50 to 60 minutes, or until chili is thickened, stirring occasionally.

Notes

If you prefer a spicier chili, feel free to add a little hot pepper sauce or ground red pepper!

We like to serve this chili in bowls topped with all the classic chili fixin's, like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onion, and sliced jalapeno peppers.

If you like this recipe, check out what else we've got in store for you in our collection of Easy Chili Recipes with Ground Beef!

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 5

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 415
Calories from Fat 134
Total Fat 15g 23 %
Saturated Fat 5.6g 28 %
Trans Fat 0.9g 0 %
Protein 29g 58 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 62mg 21 %
Sodium 1,576mg 66 %
Total Carbohydrates 42g 14 %
Dietary Fiber 15g 59 %
Sugars 12g 0 %

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rac7431 2877525

Jan 12, 2019

I agree with jkaye re spelling errors. If it's understandable who cares? Sometimes the finger slips to another key. Ever hear of phonics? And sometimes the fingers work faster than the brains.

reimerosa 9915225

Jul 15, 2017

I LOVE chili and this looks like a good basic recipe. Add corn chips for chili pie-comfort food!

JanCanCook

Oct 03, 2015

This is my FAVORTIE chili recipe, has been for years.....but hubby prefers "no beans" in his chili.

MrSoul

Feb 14, 2014

This is just about the same as my long time "go to" Chili. I generally use one can of pinto and one of dark red kidney but mix it up with black beans, etc as you like. I add a couple minced garlic cloves (how can you leave garlic out?). Only use 8 oz of tomato sauce.

chesshaus 5012595

Feb 10, 2014

Didn't know I was making " cafeteria chilli ". This has been the family recipe for chilli for the past four generations in my family......

chesshaus 5012595

Feb 10, 2014

Didn't know I was making " cafeteria chilli ". This has been my basic recipe for at least four generations in my family......

JanCanCook

Jan 05, 2014

This is my FAVORITE chili recipe.....ok I tweek it just a tad...not much though, and Mr. Food told me years ago, do not add water to something with a tomato base, add tea instead....& in this case it would be Unsweetened, but if it's a pasta dish, I will add sweetened in the stead of water or rinsing out a can......

myrdyr

Feb 19, 2013

This has become our family favorite chili. Have used peppercinis when we had no diced green chilis, this is so easy and delicious.

JanCanCook

Nov 24, 2012

Supper tonight! Hubby prefers NO Beans....and I have one of those pans they sold on TV called the "Turbo Cooker", so after browning, and adding remaining ingredients, I cover it and simmer it with the top on the "Turbo Cooker".......

Dawn 5077626

Aug 22, 2012

I prefer pinto beans over kidney beans so use chili beans in a mild to medium sauce, this spices it up a bit more. Too many tomatoes? Never! If you want a richer, thicker chili, use tomato paste instead of the tomato sauce :)

jkayc

Aug 22, 2012

Play nice kids!! I really think the comments re spelling are uncalled for and unkind, especially when everyone knows what was meant. Get over it!

Bo b

Aug 22, 2012

That seems like a lot of tomato! I guess that's why they call it "cafeteria style." I usually use one 15oz can of stewed tomatoes for the same amount of beef and beans in this recipe, but I add water and beef flavor base. I also start with a brown roux and add celery, peppers and onions.

Bo b

Aug 22, 2012

PS: An uncle of mine once served us homemade chili to which he had added a small can of peas. I thought it was a great addition and sometimes make it that way but my son picks them out.

Bellerophon

Dec 26, 2014

A small can of whole kernel corn can also be a nice addition.

Docmo

Aug 22, 2012

Good Recipe. Albertjoy 2623761, thanks for that large mug of beer. I will no criticize your cooking experience, your spelling, nor question your common sense. The best to you and yours, and God Bless.

albertjody 2623761

Nov 02, 2011

you didn't say whether to cover pot or not, that makes a big differents,,