Ultimate Lenten Chili Feast
This robust Ultimate Lenten Chili Feast brings together an array of flavors and textures, perfect for a large gathering or community dinner. Originally created for a church Lenten Series in 2007, this chili recipe cleverly combines 80% lean ground beef, a hearty blend of regular and hot Bob Evans sausage, and a medley of canned tomatoes and peppers. It's rich with spices and finished with kidney beans, making it a fulfilling meal. The ingredients are simple and accessible, ensuring that even novice cooks can whip up a big batch without fuss. Serve it hot, paired with a variety of garnishes like sour cream, chopped onions, and shredded cheddar cheese, to create a customizable dining experience that everyone will enjoy!
N/A
Servings
249
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
5.5 lbs (80% lean, browned)
Bob Evans sausage (regular)
1 lb (browned)
Bob Evans sausage (hot)
1 lb (browned)
Canned chopped green chili peppers
9 oz (drained)
Canned crushed tomatoes
112 oz (canned)
Tomato sauce
112 oz (canned)
Ground cumin
1 oz (spice)
Ground chili powder
2.5 oz (spice)
Yellow onions
5 large (diced)
Kidney beans
42 oz (drained and rinsed)
Salt
2 tablespoons (to taste)
Paprika
1 tablespoon (spice)
Garlic
1 head (crushed)
Instructions
1
Begin by dividing your ingredients between two large stock pots if necessary to accommodate the volume.
2
In each pot, brown the ground beef and both types of sausage over medium heat until fully cooked, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
3
Once the meat is browned, add the diced yellow onions and crushed garlic to one pot (or distribute evenly if using two pots) and sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Next, incorporate the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned chopped green chili peppers, and all the spices: ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer uncovered for at least 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6
Fifteen minutes before serving, add the kidney beans to the chili to heat through. Stir gently to combine.
7
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
8
Serve hot with optional garnishes of sour cream, chopped onions, hot sauce, and shredded cheddar cheese, allowing guests to personalize their bowls.
Nutrition Information
13.2g
Fat
9.6g
Carbs
11.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Lenten Chili Feast?
It is a robust chili recipe featuring a blend of ground beef, sausage, tomatoes, and peppers, originally created for a 2007 church Lenten Series.
How much ground beef is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 5.5 lbs of ground beef, specifically 80% lean.
What types of Bob Evans sausage are used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of regular Bob Evans sausage and 1 lb of hot Bob Evans sausage.
How many calories are in a serving of this chili?
Each serving contains 249 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 13.2g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 9.6g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
The chili provides 11.5g of protein per serving.
How many ingredients are in the Ultimate Lenten Chili Feast?
There are 13 total ingredients in this recipe.
How many large yellow onions are needed?
The recipe requires 5 large yellow onions, diced.
When should the kidney beans be added?
Add the kidney beans 15 minutes before serving so they can heat through.
How long should the chili simmer?
The chili should simmer uncovered for at least 30-45 minutes.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 112 oz of canned crushed tomatoes.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
You will need 112 oz of tomato sauce.
What spices give this chili its flavor?
The primary spices are ground cumin, ground chili powder, paprika, and salt.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe calls for 2.5 oz of ground chili powder.
Is there garlic in this chili?
Yes, it uses one full head of garlic, crushed.
What should I do if the volume is too large for one pot?
The instructions recommend dividing the ingredients between two large stock pots if necessary.
How should the canned green chili peppers be prepared?
The 9 oz of canned chopped green chili peppers should be drained before adding.
What is the recommended meat preparation?
The ground beef and both types of sausage should be browned over medium heat until fully cooked.
What are the optional garnishes for serving?
Optional garnishes include sour cream, chopped onions, hot sauce, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Can I adjust the seasoning of the chili?
Yes, the instructions suggest tasting and adjusting the seasoning if necessary before serving.
How long do the onions and garlic need to sauté?
Sauté the onions and garlic for about 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
How much ground cumin is required?
The recipe uses 1 oz of ground cumin.
How much paprika is included in the spice mix?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of paprika.
How many ounces of kidney beans are used?
The recipe requires 42 oz of kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
Is the chili simmered covered or uncovered?
It should be simmered uncovered to allow it to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
What type of cuisine does this chili represent?
It is classified as Southwestern cuisine.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of salt, though you can adjust to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for beginner cooks?
Yes, the simple and accessible ingredients ensure that even novice cooks can prepare it.
What is the purpose of browning the meat?
Browning the meat until fully cooked ensures the correct texture and depth of flavor for the chili.