Name: Cozy Pumpkin Chili for Chilly Evenings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ tbsp chili powder; ¾ tsp ground black pepper; 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée; 1 lb spicy Italian sausage, ground; 2 (15 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice); 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained & rinsed; 2 ½ cups chicken broth; 1 onion, chopped; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1 red bell pepper, chopped; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, chopped; 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste); Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, sliced avocado, roasted pumpkin seeds

Description

A warm embrace wrapped in a bowl, this Cozy Pumpkin Chili offers a unique, spicy-sweet twist to the beloved classic chili recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ tbsp chili powder
¾ tsp ground black pepper
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée
1 lb spicy Italian sausage, ground
2 (15 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice)
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained & rinsed
2 ½ cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, sliced avocado, roasted pumpkin seeds

Instructions

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground spicy Italian sausage. Allow it to brown beautifully for about 8–10 minutes. Once it’s cooked through and has developed a lovely golden color, remove the sausage from the pot and set it aside.
In the same pot, with the flavorful remnants left from the sausage, add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for approximately 10–12 minutes until they’re soft and aromatic. After the veggies are tender, stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook this fragrant mixture for another 30 seconds.
Add the fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juices), drained kidney beans, black beans, pumpkin purée, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir everything together, ensuring that the ingredients are well combined. Raise the heat to bring the chili to a boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After simmering, taste your chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. When everything is to your liking, scoop the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered for the last 5-10 minutes. If using fresh pumpkin, you’ll need to cook it down to get a similar consistency to canned pumpkin purée.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner

Nutrition

Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
Sodium: 800 mg
Protein: 25 g