Italian Style Chili Recipe | Sausage, Beef and Beans
This hearty Italian Style Chili combines lean ground beef, savory Italian sausage, tomatoes, beans, garlic, Italian herbs, and Parmesan cheese for the ultimate cozy one-pot dinner. It’s rich, flavorful, easy to make, freezer-friendly, and even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: DINNER | SOUP
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: ITALIAN INSPIRED
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking the meat into crumbles. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, paprika, fennel seed, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and Parmesan rind if using.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the kidney beans and cannellini beans. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Remove the Parmesan rind. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and crusty Italian bread.
Notes
- A Parmesan rind adds incredible richness and authentic Italian flavor.
- Hot Italian sausage can be substituted for extra heat.
- This chili tastes even better after sitting overnight.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Great served with garlic bread, focaccia, Caesar salad, or garlic knots.
Find it online: https://www.firsthomelovelife.com/italian-style-chili/