Name: Simple Easy Chili with Sausage
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 12 oz package of al fresco Andouille Chicken Sausage (thinly sliced); 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 2 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 3 cups chicken broth; 3 14 oz cans Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed

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This simple chili with smoked sausage is hearty, perfectly spicy and filled with comforting flavorful smoked andouille sausage. Plus it’s done in under an hour. Make it ahead, freeze it and you can eat this chili for days .

2 bowls of Red bean and sausage chili in wooden bowls and a few squares of cornbread and crumbs scattered around bowls.

This post is sponsored by al fresco All Natural Chicken Sausage.

I’m a huge fan of a really good chili. This simple chili has been one of my favorites lately. It’s flavorful, tender, thick – but not too thick, spicy- but not too spicy. And it can be made all in one pot in under an hour.

Filled with simple ready-to-cook ingredients, like red kidney beans, al fresco chicken sausage, diced onions, green peppers, tomato paste and spices you’ll love how quick this is to prepare.

Simple chili with smoked sausage and red kidney beans in wooden bowl and a few squares of cornbread

On the nights you don’t want to think about any thing complicated for dinner, this is your recipe.

No extra fancy ingredients or prep time.

Simple chili with smoked sausage and red kidney beans in wooden bowl and a few squares of cornbread and al fresco smoked andouille sausage package in background

For this simple chili with smoked sausage recipe I recommend using the al fresco Andouille Chicken Sausage . It has the such deep and spicy flavors that make this chili really pop.

HOW TO MAKE THIS SIMPLE CHILI WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE

step by step instruction pictures of how to make chili with smoked sausage recipe - 6 squares

First thing you do is simply thinly slice up your smoked sausage. Add olive oil to a skillet and heat it up.
Saute the sausage until golden and crispy on both sides.
Add in diced onions and green peppers, and saute until onions are softened.
Add in all the spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Then heat until spices become fragrant.
Add in chicken broth and tomato paste.
Add in rinsed and drained red kidney beans, stir and simmer until done! Then serve up in bowls and top with whatever you like.

WAYS TO TOP YOUR CHILI

Once your chili is ready to serve, the question becomes of what to serve it with. There are a bunch of toppings out there but my favorites are shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and diced fresh parsley.

Have some corn chips or tortilla chips around? Use them if you like! If you’re a fan of diced onions or scallions, go for it!

Jalapenos? Absolutely. Hot sauce? Diced avocado? Go crazy!

downward shot of Simple chili with smoked sausage and red kidney beans in a gallon sized freezer bag

CAN YOU MAKE THIS EASY CHILI IN ADVANCE?

You can absolutely make this in advance, keep in in your fridge for the week and enjoy it day after day. I honestly think the flavors in this chili just keep getting better and better every day.

All you need to do is add the chili into individual sized portions or in one large container. Keep in the refrigerator for a week (or up to 5 days).

You can then reheat individual servings in the microwave by using a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then continue to microwave for 30-second intervals, if needed. Or you can reheat this soup in a pot on the stove over medium-high heat until warmed through and starting to boil.

CAN YOU MAKE AHEAD & FREEZE CHILI WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE?

YES! Chili is one of the easiest meals to make ahead and freeze.

I like to fill my house with the aroma of cooking the meal the day I am eating it, so I like to just prep my freezer meals versus completely cooking them then freezing them. However, you can completely cook this meal all the way first, then cool and package it up for the freezer if you prefer it that way.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS CHILI FREEZER MEAL :

Cool. Cool the cooked sausage and onion-peppers completely before freezing. Never adding hot food to the freezer is one of the big tips to avoiding freezer burn.
Package: Use freezer safe containers if freezing individually, or a gallon sized freezer safe bag if freezing the whole meal. After the chicken sausage and onion mixture has cooled, add other ingredients and gently stir. Transfer to labeled gallon size freezer safe bag and seal, removing air. If using individual containers place plastic wrap inside container on top of food and press down, gently squeezing out any excess air, then cover container with lid or foil and label.
Freeze. Freeze this Simple Chili with Smoked Sausage recipe for up to five months. *After 5 months, you can still eat but chances for freezer burn or taste/flavor changes increase.
Thaw & Reheat. The easiest way to thaw is to place bag or containers into your refrigerator overnight. Reheat in microwave: Using a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then continue to microwave for 30-second intervals, if needed. Reheat on stove: Transfer thawed chili into a large pot or dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat and cook until just starting to boil.

WHAT ARE THE BEST CONTAINERS FOR FREEZING INDIVIDUAL SERVINGS?

For making individual sized serving bowls you’ll want containers that are freezer and microwave safe. I love the color of this 5-pack of 34 ounce glass meal prep containers set. But I also love these simple & nice looking 8-pack Razab 30 oz. meal prep containers.

MORE MAKE AHEAD & FREEZE CHILI RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE:

This chili is amazing year round – it’s comforting and cozy for chilly fall/winter nights. This simple chili with smoked sausage is satisfying and hearty, easy to make, and is absolutely delicious!