Chilli Con Carne with Homemade ‘Cheats’ Tortilla Chips

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

Tortilla or Corn Chips
Rice
Fresh Avocado or Guacamole
Homemade Tomato Salsa
Grated Cheese
Sour Cream
Sliced Jalapeños (if you really like it hot!)

…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!

Chilli Con Carne with Homemade 'Cheats' Tortilla Chips

Servings: 4 serves
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

For the Chilli

1 tbsp oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1/2 red capsicum, diced
500g beef mince
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chilli powder
500ml beef stock
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper, to taste

For the Chips

2 soft flour tortillas
1 tbsp oil
salt & pepper, to taste

To Serve

cooked rice
fresh shallots, optional

Directions

Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium/high heat and cook the onions, garlic and capsicum for 4-5 minutes or until onions are soft.
Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally until all browned, breaking any large chunks with a wooden spoon.
Add the tomatoes, spices, tomato paste, 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, for the chips, preheat the oven to 180℃. Rub each tortilla with oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Cut each tortilla into 16 pieces and cook for 5 minutes or until golden.
Serve Chilli Con Carne with rice, tortilla chips and fresh shallots.

Notes

This recipe is pretty mild compared to most chilli recipes, but if you like the heat just add extra cayenne pepper!
You can also add beans to this recipe if you like. Just add a 400g tin of your favourite beans in with the tomatoes.