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Spicy Pumpkin Chili

A hearty blend of ground beef, beans, and pumpkin, enriched with aromatic spices, perfect for a comforting meal on chilly evenings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat and Base Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
  • 0.5 large onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Adjust to taste.

Vegetables

  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped red bell pepper

Beans and Tomatoes

  • 2 cans (14.5 ounce) petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounce) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounce) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin puree
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 ounce) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (4 ounce) tomato sauce with garlic and onions

Spices

  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes until crumbly and no longer pink.
  • Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion softens.
  • Toss in the chopped green and red bell peppers and cook for an additional 5 minutes until tender.

Cooking

  • In a large slow cooker, combine the petite diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, Great Northern beans, pumpkin puree, fire-roasted tomatoes, and both tomato sauces.
  • Season the mixture with pumpkin pie spice, chili powder, ground cumin, and salt.
  • Stir in the cooked beef and vegetable mixture from the skillet into the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on the Low setting for 1 to 2 hours.

Serving

  • Serve the chili in bowls, garnished with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado slices, or chopped green onions.

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Notes

Chili tastes even better the next day! Adjust spice levels to your taste. Feel free to experiment with additional veggies.
Keyword Chili, Fall Recipe, hearty, Pumpkin, Spicy