Description
Homemade cheesy enchilada chili delivers bold Mexican-inspired comfort in a single pot. Hearty ingredients and rich spices combine for a satisfying meal that brings warmth and excitement to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 oz/300 ml) red enchilada sauce
- 2 cups (475 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- sour cream (optional)
- sliced jalapenos (optional)
- diced avocado (optional)
- tortilla chips or strips (optional)
Instructions
- Protein Preparation: Caramelize ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into fine crumbles until achieving a rich golden-brown sear.
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions and garlic until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence and infusing the meat with deep flavor complexity.
- Liquid and Legume Integration: Combine black and pinto beans, diced tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and broth, creating a robust liquid base that will develop rich flavor profiles.
- Spice Transformation: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and seasonings throughout the mixture, stirring vigorously to ensure even distribution and maximum flavor penetration.
- Flavor Melding: Bring the chili to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify for 20 minutes, developing a deep, cohesive taste.
- Cheese Integration: Fold shredded cheese into the chili, stirring until completely melted and creating a creamy, indulgent texture that binds all components together.
- Presentation and Garnish: Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls, topping with additional cheese, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or crunchy tortilla chips for a final flavor and textural flourish.
Notes
- Control Meat Texture: Break ground beef into tiny, consistent pieces during searing to prevent large clumps and ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Prevent Flavor Dilution: Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to maximize their aromatic intensity and develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or shredded chicken for diverse dietary preferences without compromising recipe structure.
- Balance Spice Intensity: Adjust chili powder and spice quantities gradually, tasting intermittently to maintain optimal heat levels suitable for different palate sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg