three bowls of chilli con carne with rice and tortilla chips
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This Chilli Con Carne recipe is the best thing for this Winter! A delicious stew of ground beef, tomatoes and a tasty combination of spices, this easy dish is the perfect weeknight dinner! 

This hearty Chilli Con Carne has been a regular on our dinner table this Autumn. It’s my sisters newfound favourite winter warmer and she frequently makes the request for it, even though the recipe features tinned tomatoes; tomatoes being something she’s loathed her whole life, something that we thoroughly disagree on. 

a large white shallow bowl. the front half of the bowl is full of white recipe and the back half of the bowl is full of a red saucy tomato and ground beef mince stew of chilli con carne. five rustic looking golden tortilla chips are sitting on top of the chilli con carne. the dish is garnished with fresh green sliced shallots. Two identical bowls are in the background.

But I can’t blame her for loving this meaty, saucy stew of ground minced beef, especially when it’s served alongside my homemade ‘cheats’ tortilla chips! 

Now, this Chilli Con Carne recipe doesn’t use beans. The reason behind that is half the people in my family don’t like them, so I left them out for those people. But if you like beans in your chilli, please feel free to add a 400g tin along with the tomatoes and spices! 

an overhead shot of three large white shallow bowls. the front half of the bowls are full of white recipe and the back half of the bowls are full of a red saucy tomato and ground beef mince stew of chilli con carne. five rustic looking golden tortilla chips are sitting on top of the chilli con carne in each bowl. the dish is garnished with fresh green sliced shallots.

My chilli recipe is also pretty mild compared to most recipes you find (my mum doesn’t like too much spice!) – but if you like the heat, then feel free to add as much cayenne pepper as you like!! 

Other Things to Serve with Chilli

…and so many more options!

A Note on Chilli Powder

In America, Chilli Powder is a spice blend. It usually has paprika, garlic, ground chilli peppers, cumin etc.

But in Australia (and most other places too) Chilli powder is just ground up chillies. I just need to clarify that when I say chilli powder, I mean ground chillies and not a blend of spices, as I’m Australian ☺️

Please do not use the spice blend, as that will give you a very different outcome that I haven’t tested! 

three bowls of chilli con carne with rice and tortilla chips

Chilli Con Carne with ‘Cheats’ Tortilla Chips

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

For the Chilli

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic finely diced
  • ½ red capsicum diced
  • 500 g ground beef mince
  • 400 g tin diced tomatoes
  • 2 tsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chilli powder
  • 500 ml beef stock
  • 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • salt & pepper to taste

For the Chips

  • 2 flour tortillas
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

To Serve

  • cooked white rice
  • fresh spring onions sliced (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium/high heat and cook the onions, garlic and capsicum for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
  • Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally until browned, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, stock, and worcestershire sauce and stir until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper, bring to a gentle simmer and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C. Rub each tortilla with oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Cut each tortilla into 16 pieces and cook for 5-10 minutes or until golden. Serve Chilli Con Carne with rice, chips and fresh spring onions.

Notes

  1. If you would like to change the heat level of this dish then just adjust the cayenne pepper! If you want milder just halve the cayenne, if you want in hotter add extra!
  2. You can also add beans to this recipe if you like. Just add in a 400g tin of your favourite beans in with the tomatoes!
Keyword Beef Dishes, Comfort Food, Ground Beef, Rice Dish, Winter Warmer

Remember to Pin this Recipe for Later!

a large white shallow bowl. the front half of the bowl is full of white recipe and the back half of the bowl is full of a red saucy tomato and ground beef mince stew of chilli con carne. five rustic looking golden tortilla chips are sitting on top of the chilli con carne. the dish is garnished with fresh green sliced shallots. Two identical bowls are in the background. over the top of the bowls is a black heading that reads 'easy chilli con carne recipe'