Easy One-Pot Harvest Beef Chili: A Hearty Fall Comfort Food Recipe with Seasonal Vegetables
Discover the ultimate autumn delight with our Harvest Beef Chili! This thick, hearty, and incredibly flavorful chili, loaded with tender beef and a bounty of seasonal vegetables, is comfort food at its absolute best. Perfect for chilly evenings, this one-pot wonder promises warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful.
Embracing the Cozy Charm of Autumn
As the vibrant greens of summer begin to fade, the air takes on a crisp, refreshing quality that signals the arrival of my favorite season: fall. The temperatures slowly drop, and a gentle breeze during the day transforms into cooler evenings, bringing with it that unmistakable, earthy scent of autumn. It’s a smell I eagerly anticipate all year long, often tinged with the smoky aroma of distant bonfires.
Autumn brings with it a unique sense of comfort and coziness. It’s a time for warm sweaters, soft throw blankets, and lighting those cherished fall-scented candles that fill your home with notes of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and woodsmoke. For me, it’s also the unofficial start of “soup season” and the perfect excuse to gather loved ones around a steaming bowl of something truly delicious and comforting. What better way to welcome the season than with a hearty, warming chili?
From Garden Bounty to Flavorful Chili
With the cooler weather steadily creeping in, my kitchen transitions from light summer salads to more substantial, soul-satisfying dishes. The arrival of fall means it’s time to pull out the crockpot, dust off the soup pots, and start making those comforting meals that truly nourish the body and spirit. I’ve already stocked my pantry with canned pumpkin and all my favorite autumn spices—because, let’s be honest, you can never have enough pumpkin in the fall! Bring on the cozy vibes!
This Harvest Beef Chili recipe is a true celebration of the season, bursting with tender, savory ground beef and an abundance of seasonal vegetables. If your garden has been as prolific as mine, you’ll know the joy—and sometimes the challenge—of having an endless supply of zucchini and summer squash. Indeed, there’s often so much zucchini that you start looking for creative ways to use it all up!
The Perfect One-Pot Weeknight Meal
This Harvest Chili is everything you could ask for in a fall meal: it’s thick, incredibly hearty, and wonderfully filling. But perhaps the best part? It all comes together in under 45 minutes, right in a single pot! On busy weeknights, the thought of extensive cleanup can be daunting, so a delicious one-pot meal is always a welcome relief in my household. Less washing up means more time to relax and enjoy the evening.
I packed this chili with a vibrant variety of vegetables, transforming it into a colorful and nutrient-rich dish. We’re talking fresh zucchini, summer squash, crisp red and green bell peppers, a hint of diced jalapeño for a gentle kick, and sweet corn kernels. It’s essentially a heartfelt tribute to the lingering flavors of summer, perfectly blended into a robust autumn stew. The combination of textures and flavors from these garden-fresh ingredients makes this chili truly special.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Toppings
To elevate each bowl of this magnificent Harvest Beef Chili, I love to add a selection of delicious toppings. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool and creamy sour cream, and a scattering of vibrant chopped scallions not only add an extra boost of flavor but also enhance the visual appeal. These toppings provide a wonderful contrast to the rich, warm chili, adding layers of texture and taste that make every bite exciting.
This chili is a true standout for anyone who appreciates a good vegetable-packed meal. It’s so full of fresh produce that even the most avid veggie lover will be delighted. The tender ground beef perfectly complements the sweet and savory notes of the vegetables, creating a balanced and satisfying dish that appeals to everyone at the table.
Whether you’re looking for a warm meal on a cold day, a hearty dish to share with family, or a clever way to use up your garden’s harvest, this Harvest Beef Chili is an excellent choice. Its simplicity and robust flavor make it an instant classic, destined to become a staple in your fall cooking repertoire.
The Versatility and Flavor of Beef in Your Kitchen
Let high-quality beef inspire your next family meal. Ground beef is incredibly versatile, serving as the foundation for countless comforting and delicious dishes, from classic burgers and tacos to hearty stews and, of course, a magnificent chili like this one. Its rich flavor and satisfying texture make it a beloved ingredient in kitchens worldwide. For more beef recipes, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration, be sure to follow The Beef Checkoff on their social media channels. You’ll find a wealth of ideas to help you create amazing meals that everyone will love. Explore their delicious content on Pinterest, get quick cooking ideas on Twitter, and connect with a community of beef lovers on Facebook. They are a fantastic resource for discovering new ways to incorporate beef into your everyday cooking.
Harvest Chili Bowls
This easy one-pot recipe delivers a thick, hearty, and flavorful beef chili, generously loaded with tender ground beef and a bounty of fresh, seasonal vegetables like zucchini, squash, and bell peppers. It’s the perfect comforting meal for chilly fall evenings, ready in under 45 minutes.
Yield: 1 Large Pot (serves 6-8)
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 and 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced (for less heat, omit seeds)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 1 cup diced summer squash
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed or puréed tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (or kidney beans)
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks, until it is no longer pink and is nicely crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced red and green bell peppers, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced zucchini and summer squash. Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the squash to soften slightly.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the tomato sauce, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), the drained cannellini beans, corn kernels, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and allow it to cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Taste the chili and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Serve hot in bowls, garnished with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped scallions. Enjoy this delicious fall comfort food!
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
#WeekDaySupper Inspiration: More Delicious Beef Recipes
Looking for more incredible beef-centric meals to add to your weekly rotation? This week’s #WeekDaySupper menu features a fantastic lineup of easy and delicious dishes that are perfect for any night of the week. From hearty chili to savory steaks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out these other inspiring recipes:
- Monday – Harvest Chili Bowls by The Messy Baker (That’s us!)
- Tuesday – Balsamic Glazed Filet Mignon by Alida’s Kitchen
- Wednesday – Cola Barbecue Beef by Melanie Makes
- Thursday – Asian Beef & Broccoli Lettuce Wraps by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Friday – Frikadellen {German Meat Patties} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by The Beef Checkoff. All opinions and the passion for creating delicious, comforting meals are entirely my own.