Southern Chili

Easy Chili Recipe for Kids

This easy homemade chili recipe is packed with ground beef, bacon, beans, tomatoes, and cheese for a hearty family meal. Kids can help chop vegetables, measure ingredients, stir the chili, and choose their favorite toppings. For a fun presentation, serve the chili in a lightly toasted tortilla bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 pound shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 chili peppers, diced
• 1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained
• 4 tortillas (optional, for tortilla bowls)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Prep

1. Slice the tomato and onion.
2. Dice the chili peppers. Remove the seeds for a milder chili, or leave them in for extra heat.
3. Cook and crumble the bacon if it has not already been prepared.
4. Cook the ground beef and drain off any excess grease.

Directions

1. Season the cooked ground beef with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce and water.
3. Add the crumbled bacon, diced chili peppers, sliced onions, kidney beans, and half of the shredded cheese.
4. Cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is hot and the flavors have blended.
5. If making tortilla bowls, lightly cook each tortilla in a skillet until lightly browned on both sides.
6. Press each warm tortilla into an oven-safe bowl and bake for 5 to 8 minutes at 375F until crisp, or simply drape the tortilla over a serving bowl if preferred.
7. Spoon the chili into the tortilla bowl or serve in regular bowls.
8. Top with the remaining cheese and any favorite toppings before serving.

Optional Toppings

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced onions
• Sour cream
• Sliced jalapeños
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Green onions
• Fresh cilantro