If you’re craving a chili that marries rich, comforting flavors with a delightful touch of spice and sweetness, this Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. It combines the savory goodness of sweet Italian sausage and crispy bacon with the hearty texture of two types of beans, plus a vibrant mix of spices that balance smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. Whether you’re making it for a cozy weeknight meal or feeding a crowd, this chili delivers warmth and satisfaction in every robust spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe is a beautiful showcase of simple, straightforward ingredients that come together to create a dish bursting with depth and texture. Each component plays a vital role in building the flavor profile and hearty consistency that make this chili unforgettable.
- Bacon (8 slices, diced): Adds crispy, smoky flavor and a satisfying crunch that elevates the chili’s savory notes.
- Ground beef (1 lb): Provides a meaty foundation for the chili with rich, hearty texture.
- Sweet Italian sausage (1 lb, casings removed): Brings mild sweetness and aromatic herbs that complement the chili spices perfectly.
- White onion (1, diced): Offers sweetness and depth as it softens and caramelizes during cooking.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic punch that’s essential for chili.
- Kidney beans (1 can, 32 oz, drained and rinsed): Adds classic chili texture and a subtle earthiness.
- White beans (1 can, 32 oz, drained and rinsed): Provide a creamy contrast and boost the chili’s heartiness.
- Crushed tomatoes (1 can, 28 oz, undrained): Create a rich, tangy tomato base that ties all flavors together.
- Ketchup (1 cup): Introduces a touch of sweetness and acidity that balances the spices.
- Brown sugar (½ cup): Enhances the overall sweetness and rounds out the chili’s bold flavors.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds umami depth and a subtle tanginess.
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon): Brings gentle heat and brightness to the sauce.
- Water (1 cup): Helps adjust consistency and meld flavors as the chili simmers.
- Chili powder (3 tablespoons): The heart of the spice profile, offering warmth and complexity.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Adds smoky undertones that enrich the chili’s character.
- Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): Lends an earthy, nutty aroma that complements the meat and beans.
- Salt (2 teaspoons): Vital for seasoning and enhancing all the textures and tastes.
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon): A sharp kick that wakes up the flavor layers.
- Optional toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt—perfect finishing touches for creaminess and tang.
How to Make Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe
Step 1: Cook Bacon and Sauté
Start by cooking diced bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it becomes beautifully crisp and golden. Once perfectly crunchy, remove the bacon and set it aside, but keep the flavorful bacon fat in the pot — this is where your chili’s foundation begins. Next, add the diced onion to the bacon grease, cooking it until it turns soft and fragrant. Then, introduce the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage to the pot, browning them thoroughly while breaking the meat apart. Finally, stir in the minced garlic to release its aromatic goodness, setting the flavor tone for the chili.
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients
With your meats perfectly browned and onions tender, it’s time to layer in the star ingredients. Dump in both the kidney beans and white beans along with the crushed tomatoes — don’t drain those tomatoes, as their juices are essential for that rich tomatoey base. Add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and water for balanced sweetness and depth. Season everything with the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Finally, fold in the crisp bacon crumbles you set aside earlier to ensure every bite has a hit of smoky goodness.
Step 3: Simmer
Bring the chili mixture to a gentle simmer, giving the flavors time to marry and deepen. Let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and to help the chili thicken up. If it looks a bit too thick as it cooks, feel free to add more water to get your preferred consistency. This simmering step is where the magic happens, as the spices mellow and the sausage infuses every spoonful with incredible flavor.
How to Serve Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe
Garnishes
The best way to enjoy this Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe is with some freshly shredded cheese melting on top, plus a generous dollop of sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt. These creamy trims cool the slight heat and add a luscious texture contrast that makes every bite extra satisfying.
Side Dishes
This chili pairs beautifully with classic sides like warm cornbread or crusty bread for dipping, fluffy steamed rice to soak up the sauce, or even a fresh green salad to add crispness and balance out the richness. The options you choose help round out the meal depending on your mood or occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get playful, serve this chili over baked potatoes or loaded nachos topped with jalapeños and scallions. Or, scoop it into small bowls topped with avocado slices and chopped cilantro for a fresh twist. This Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe is versatile enough to shine in many different presentations, letting you customize the experience for friends or family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This chili keeps great in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. As the flavors continue to meld, leftovers often taste even better the next day, making it perfect for easy lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe later, it freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags and freeze for up to three months. Just remember to cool it completely before freezing to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the chili tightens up too much. You can also use the microwave for convenience, but be sure to stir halfway through heating for even warmth.
FAQs
Can I use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet?
Absolutely! Using spicy Italian sausage will give your chili a bolder, more intense heat. If you like a little kick, it’s a fantastic variation, but reduce or omit some chili powder if you want to keep the heat balanced.
Is it necessary to use two kinds of beans?
Not at all—using both kidney and white beans adds texture variety and flavor complexity, but you can absolutely choose one type if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep the total bean quantity the same to maintain the chili’s hearty consistency.
How can I make this chili thicker?
If your chili turns out thinner than you’d like, continue simmering uncovered for a bit longer to evaporate excess liquid. Alternatively, mix a small amount of cornmeal or masa harina with water and stir it in to thicken while cooking.
Can I prepare this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes! After browning the meats and sautéing the onions, transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add the bacon crumbles near the end to keep them from getting soggy.
What toppings work best for this chili?
Classic toppings like shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions are perfect. For extra flavor, try sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime to brighten each bowl.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe enough when it comes to warming up your soul and impressing guests or family alike. It’s got that perfect blend of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with textures that keep you coming back for more. Give it a try, and I promise it won’t disappoint — this recipe will quickly become a favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Sweet Italian Sausage Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Sweet Italian Sausage Chili is a hearty, flavorful dish combining crispy bacon, ground beef, and sweet Italian sausage with a rich blend of beans, tomatoes, and spices. Perfect for cozy dinners, this chili simmers to perfection with smoky paprika, chili powder, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar and ketchup. Serve it topped with shredded cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein
- 8 slices bacon, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (32 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (32 oz) can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
Tomato and Sauce Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup water
Spices and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Cook Bacon and Sauté: In a large Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside. Carefully drain the excess bacon grease from the pot, leaving just enough to sauté the vegetables.
- Sauté Onion and Brown Meat: Add the diced white onion to the pot and cook until it softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage (with casings removed) to the pot. Cook the meats, breaking them apart with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the drained kidney beans, white beans, crushed tomatoes (with their juice), ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and water. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Season with chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Then fold in the crispy bacon crumbles that were set aside earlier.
- Simmer the Chili: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. Allow it to cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and help flavors meld. If the chili becomes too thick, add a bit more water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Ladle the chili hot into bowls and garnish with your choice of shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for creamy richness. Enjoy your delicious Sweet Italian Sausage Chili!
Notes
- For deeper smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for lower fat content.
- Adjust chili powder according to your preferred heat level.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Serve with cornbread or over steamed rice for a filling meal.
