Sausage Chili is a warm and hearty dish with bold flavors. It is a favorite in many homes because it brings people together at the table. This meal is filling and provides comfort, especially on rainy days.
In Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe, the sausage, beans, peppers, and spices create a taste that feels like it was made with care and love.
The rich sausage gives it depth, and the beans make it hearty enough to stand alone. When I set a bowl of this chili on the table, the smell brings smiles, and every spoonful delivers comfort and satisfaction.
Why You Will Love this Copycat Recipe!
The original Bob Evans Chili is well-loved, but making it at home has a charm that feels richer and more comforting than the restaurant version. I still thank the original recipe for inspiring me, but the homemade twist makes it shine.
I’ve tried Sausage Chili at different restaurants, but most use too much tomato or not enough spice. My homemade version balances everything just right. It’s thicker, heartier, and flavorful, making every bite delicious.
Ingredients for Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make one batch that serves about 6–8 people:
- 2 pounds of Beef sausage, a mix of hot and sweet works best
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil for sautéing
- 1 tablespoon salt, adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons of chili powder give the base flavor
- 1 teaspoon paprika adds mild sweetness
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin for earthy balance
- ½ teaspoon black pepper for freshly ground.
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano.
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes – not too much, just enough for balance
- 2 cups of water (adjust while cooking).
- 2 cans cannellini beans
- 1 red bell pepper, diced.
- 1 green bell pepper, diced.
- 1 red bell pepper, diced.
- 1 green bell pepper, diced.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Sausage
Slicing the sausage open with a knife removes the casing. Peel off the skin and break the meat into smaller pieces. Set it aside while you heat your pot.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Sausage
Put the olive oil in a pot and heat it medium-high until hot. Add the chopped onion and sausage to the pot and sprinkle some salt. Cook slowly so the meat breaks apart, turns brown, and most of the moisture is gone.
Step 3: Add the Spice Blend
When the sausage is browned, stir in the chili powder, paprika, chipotle chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and oregano. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the spices to strengthen and enrich the sausage fat and enhance the flavors.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Simmer
Now, pour and stir the crushed tomatoes and water into the pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it bubble slowly for about 45 minutes. Stir every so often and skim off extra fat from the top. Add more water if it looks too dry.
Step 5: Add Beans and Peppers
After it simmers, stir in the cannellini beans and diced peppers. Stirring periodically will help everything get tender and mix well. Continue cooking for 30 minutes. If needed, add a little more water.
Step 6: Taste and serve
Before serving, taste the chili and salt, and add more if needed. Pour the chili into bowls and top with sour cream, avocado, red onion, or fresh basil.
Mistakes to Avoid While Making this Sausage Chili
- Keep the sausage fat because it adds flavor.
- Please don’t use too many tomatoes; they change the taste and overshadow the chili.
- Always sautéing the spices improves the flavor.
- The beans should be soft, but not mushy.
Notes from My Kitchen
- Instead of onions, use shallots for a milder taste.
- Try smoky chili powder if you like a richer flavor.
- For more texture, add diced tomatoes.
- Skim the fat while simmering for a cleaner taste.
- Keep water ready, add a splash if the chili looks dry.
- Fresh basil adds a fun Italian twist at the end.
Leftover & Storage Guide
Leftover chili tastes even better the next day, as the flavors intensify. It can last up to four days in an airtight container in the fridge, making it even more helpful.
If you want to freeze it, let the chili cool simply, then pack it into freezer-safe bags, leaving some space at the top. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months.
When you want to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Before reheating, smell it. If it smells sour or off, or if its colour changes to gray or slimy, it’s best to throw it away. If not, reheat slowly on the stove, adding a splash of water if it feels too thick.
What to Enjoy with This Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili
Here are some tasty sides and add-ons to make every bite better:
- Cornbreads are sweet and crumbly, soaking up the chili and adding a soft, comforting contrast.
- Tortilla chips are crunchy and salty. They scoop up the chili perfectly and add a fun snap to every bite.
- Light and fluffy steamed rice balances the spice and makes the chili heartier.
- Baked potatoes are soft buttery inside, carrying the chili’s bold flavors for a filling combo.
- Mac and cheese’s Creamy and rich flavor cools down the spice while creating a decadent duo.
- Coleslaw is Crisp and tangy, cutting through the heat and refreshing the palate.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches’ gooey and golden flavor brings cheesy comfort that pairs beautifully with chili.
- Garlic bread, warm and buttery, adds bold flavor and a crunchy bite alongside the chili’s depth.
Each pairing balances the chili into an even more satisfying meal.
Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe Common Questions Answered
Here are some common questions answered about making this Sausage Chili Recipe.
1. Can I make this chili less spicy?
To make it less spicy, replace half the chili powder with mild paprika while keeping the chili flavor.
2. How to make the dish in a slow cooker?
Brown the sausage and onions on the stove. Then, add everything, including spices, tomatoes, and water, to your slow cooker on low heat for 8 hours. Add beans and peppers in the last hour to prevent them from softening.
3. How can I thicken the chili?
Simmer it without a lid to let excess water evaporate. One of my secret tips is to mash some beans and stir them back into the pot, thickening the broth without altering the taste.
4. Can I make this vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, replace the sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or extra beans. Add some mushrooms for texture and additional depth of flavor. The seasoning and method stay the same, but it still tastes rich.
5. Why do you not drain the sausage fat?
The fat carries the flavor from the sausage and onions. As it cooks, much of it cooks down or blends with the spices. Skimming the excess later keeps the chili rich but not greasy. If you drain too much, you lose depth in the flavor.
6. What kind of beans are best if I can’t find cannellini?
You can use navy, great northern, or kidney beans. Each bean changes the texture slightly, but tastes good with sausage chili.
Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slicing the sausage open with a knife removes the casing. Peel off the skin and break the meat into smaller pieces. Set it aside while you heat your pot.
- Put the olive oil in a pot and heat it medium-high until hot. Add the chopped onion and sausage to the pot and sprinkle some salt. Cook slowly so the meat breaks apart, turns brown, and most of the moisture is gone.
- When the sausage is browned, stir in the chili powder, paprika, chipotle chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and oregano. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the spices to strengthen and enrich the sausage fat and enhance the flavours.
- Now, pour and stir the crushed tomatoes and water into the pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it bubble slowly for about 45 minutes. Stir every so often and skim off extra fat from the top. Add more water if it looks too dry.
- After it simmers, stir in the cannellini beans and diced peppers. Stirring periodically will help everything get tender and mix well. Continue cooking for 30 minutes. If needed, add a little more water.
- Before serving, taste the chili and salt, and add more if needed. Pour the chili into bowls and top with sour cream, avocado, red onion, or fresh basil.
Bob Evans Famous Sausage Chili Recipe is a bowl full of comfort and flavor that beats many others. Making it at home allows you to adjust it just how you like it, mild or bold. Try this recipe soon, and you’ll see why sausage chili deserves a place at your table.
