Want to make easy homemade chili, but don't have all day to wait for the crockpot? Believe me, it is so easy to make a hearty dinner for the family, and this recipe will take 20 minutes or less. I love one pan cooking that is simple and quick.

Nothing says "comfort food" like chili, in my opinion. Its filling, high in fiber, and can be adjusted to taste quite easily. Homemade chili is a popular dish for tailgate parties and potluck gatherings.

Cooking for family need not be a chore!  At our home, chili is a favorite dinner dish that everyone enjoys. I like to dish it up "straight" in a bowl, topped with shredded cheese, chopped onions and a little cilantro (or corn chips as shown above). My children eat baked potatoes topped with chili. You can even make chili dogs - simply prepare your hot dog and bun as usual, then add 1/4 cup of chili on top.

Trust me - this homemade chili recipe is another cheap, fast and easy dinner that you can be proud to serve. Banish the idea of fast food right now. You'll only need a few ingredients at the grocery store.

We'll start with the basic recipe; there are additional suggested alternatives for a vegetarian chili or chicken chili recipe below.

Easy Homemade Chili:

• 1 pound ground beef or sirloin
• 1 chopped yellow onion
• 1 4 oz. can diced green chilies
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz. can black beans (drained)
• 1 packet chili seasoning (my favorite brand is McCormick's)

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef or sirloin with chopped onion until no pink remains
2. Drain beef
3. Add all remaining ingredients, stir well, and bring to a boil, stirring consistently
4. Turn down heat to low and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes

Serve immediately with shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped onions, corn chips and/or chopped fresh cilantro, if you like. You can also employ another one of my tricks. I finish making the chili, then I transfer it to my crockpot/slow cooker. Keep it on low for 1-2 hours and your guests will have a piping hot dish!

My classic homemade chili recipe is all about the easy (if you've ever watched or read any of Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Cooking shows/books, you'll know what I mean).

However, there may be times when you don't have a chili seasoning packet, or simply want to make your own. Kudos to you!

Here's a tasty recipe for chili spices:

• 2 T. chili powder
• 1 t. salt
• 1 T. seasoned salt
• 1 t. onion powder
• 2 t. cumin
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 1 t. oregano

Mix all ingredients together; store for up to 3 months in a plastic bag. Makes 1/4 c. (enough for a double recipe of the easy homemade chili).

So, if you want to think beyond the bowl, easy homemade chili can be served on baked potatoes, over hot dogs, or even corn dogs). We've used the chili in a delicious nacho recipe: simply spoon 3/4 cup chili over tortilla chips, and top with 1/2 cup each of shredded cheddar and Monterrey jack cheese. Broil for 5 minutes.

But let's say that beef isn't your thing. Or perhaps you don't like black beans. Fortunately, you can change up this recipe to suit a vegetarian palate. Alternatively, you can create a tasty white chicken chili.

You are limited only by your imagination!

Don't eat meat? Never fear, you can easily convert the classic easy homemade chili recipe.

Simply replace the beef with 1 can each (15 oz) of kidney beans and garbanzo beans. Don't forget to also include the can of black beans.

Mix all the ingredients together and allow to simmer over medium low heat for 10-15 minutes.

If you like the texture and taste of veggie burger, you can include 1/2 pound of vegetarian burger crumbles in the mix. Feel free to experiment here, as well.

Love vegetables? Include 1/2 c. chopped celery and 1 can of corn!

Chicken chili is a great dish to cook up when you have left over chicken, or if you just prefer white meat.

With this variation, you'll need to make a few additional revisions to the original homemade chili recipe. In place of the beef, include these ingredients, too, and replace the black beans with the white beans:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound diced, cooked chicken meat
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth
• 1 (18.75 oz.) can tomatillos, drained and chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (7 ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1 (15 ounce) can white beans

Don't forget - you'll also need the seasoning packet, can of tomatoes, onion and can of chilies.

New Directions:

1. Heat oil, and cook onion and garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add broth, tomatillos, tomatoes, chilies, and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add chicken and beans. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Don't sweat it! Easy homemade chili is a breeze. It takes little time and even less money. You can feed a family of 6 for less than $3 per person. And even better.... dinner can be on the table within 20 minutes. That's a comforting thought for me!

Please let me know if you have your own chili recipes, or suggested tweaks to the ones included here.

Here's to good, hearty and healthy eating!