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–+ servings
A hearty bowl of classic ground beef chili topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions, served with crackers.

Classic Ground Beef Skillet with a Twist

This recipe takes a classic ground beef dish and adds a flavorful twist with a blend of spices and beans. It's a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Simmer Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skillet
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1.5 lb. ground beef
  • 3 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans with liquid
  • 1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans with liquid
For Serving
  • cheddar cheese, shredded
  • scallions, chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, pepper, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until darker in color, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 7 minutes more. Add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder; generously season with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, then fill can halfway with water, swirling to catch any remaining tomato, and add to pot. Add kidney beans, pinto beans, and their liquid and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and liquid is slightly reduced, about 40 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
  4. Top with cheddar and scallions before serving.

Notes

This recipe is a great base for customization. Feel free to add other vegetables like corn or diced zucchini, or experiment with different types of beans.

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