2lbs.ground beef, I typically use ground round or ground sirloin
1medium yellow onion, diced
4oz. spaghetti or angel hair pasta, broken into thirds
115 oz. can chili beans, undrained
1 46 oz.can tomato juice
1Tbs.granulated sugar
1tsp.each kosher salt and pepper
shredded cheddar, corn chips, and sour cream, for garnishing the chili as desired
Instructions
Stove Top Directions
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add the chili powder, stirring to keep it from scorching, 20-30 seconds, until very fragrant. (This technique is called "blooming" and the heat really brings out the essence of the chili powder.)
Add the ground beef and diced onion to the Dutch oven and sauté until the ground beef is nicely browned, cooked throughout, and no pink remains; drain most of the fats that accumulate as the beef cooks.
Add the spaghetti pieces to the cooked and crumbled beef mixture, allowing them to absorb any of the juices and spices from the meat.
Add the chili beans with juices, tomato juice, sugar, salt, and pepper to the Dutch oven, giving it a stir. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cooking the chili for 25-30 minutes. **Simmer the chili longer if time allows to let the flavors meld even more.
Serve the chili in deep bowls, garnished with shredded cheese, corn chips, and sour cream, as desired. Hillbilly Chili is delicious served with a warm cinnamon roll on the side.
Instant Pot Directions
Using the sauté setting on the Instant Pot (or any brand of electric pressure cooker), heat the chili powder, stirring to keep it from scorching, 20-30 seconds, until very fragrant. (This technique is called "blooming" and the heat really brings out the essence of the chili powder.)
Add the ground beef and the diced onions to the Instant Pot, continuing to cook until the beef is nicely browned and cooked throughout, and no pink remains. Drain any excessive fats from the cooked beef, then stir in the broken spaghetti pieces, letting them cook together for a minute or two.
Stir in the chili beans with juice, tomato juice, sugar, salt, and pepper, then give the chili a quick stir.
Lock the Instant Pot securely lid into place. Choose the high pressure setting for 3 minutes, bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure. When the timer sounds, perform a quick release to remove all pressure from the pot. Carefully unlock the lid and remove it; give the chili a quick stir.
Serve the chili in deep bowls, garnished with shredded cheese, corn chips, and sour cream as desired. Hillbilly Chili is delicious served with a warm cinnamon roll on the side.
Notes
**Please note: the cooking time stated for this recipe does not include the time required to bring the Instant Pot up to pressure since this can vary. This recipe was made using a 6-quart Instant Pot. Feel free to use any type of ground meat in this recipe, such as ground chicken or turkey, ground venison or ground bison. Also, if you opt to use beans in this chili, I like pinto beans or black beans.