Pumpkin Chili Recipe for a Delicious Cozy Fall Feast

As autumn arrives, bringing crisp air and vibrant leaves, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin chili simmering on the stove. This recipe offers a hearty, nourishing, and surprisingly quick meal, perfect for busy weeknights, ready in just under an hour with no complex techniques required.

This dish features a delightful blend of ground turkey or beans, canned pumpkin, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a smoky spice profile. It’s a versatile recipe, easily adapted to become a Spicy Pumpkin Chili, a rich Pumpkin and Tomato Chili, or even a subtly creamy version. Most ingredients are readily available pantry staples, complemented by a few fresh additions.

Inspired by my grandma’s practical yet creative approach to cooking, I developed this Healthy Pumpkin Chili recipe from scratch. After rigorous testing (four times, to be exact!), I discovered a unique blend of spices that truly elevates its flavor, making it a standout dish.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Chili

This Pumpkin Chili truly embodies the comforting flavors we seek as the seasons change. It’s warm, deeply satisfying, and prepared in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for any busy weeknight. The thoughtful combination of ingredients ensures it’s both comforting and nourishing, easily qualifying as a Healthy Pumpkin Chili. A key benefit is the canned pumpkin, which not only infuses rich fall flavor but also contributes a natural creaminess, eliminating the need for heavy cream.

• Hearty Yet Healthy: This chili is packed with nutritious ingredients like beans, protein (sausage or alternatives), and pumpkin, offering a satisfying yet balanced meal.
• Pantry-Friendly: Most of the essential ingredients are common pantry staples, ensuring convenience and accessibility.
• Beginner-Approved: The recipe features straightforward steps – simply chop, stir, simmer, and savor this delicious dish.
• Versatile: Easily adaptable, this recipe shines as a Pumpkin and Bean Chili or can be customized with various protein and vegetable swaps to suit your preference.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe features a concise yet potent list of ingredients, each contributing significantly to the overall flavor profile:

• Pumpkin Puree: The essential ingredient, providing velvety smoothness and a distinctive autumn flavor.
• Spicy Italian Sausage: Delivers a robust smoky heat and richness. (For a vegetarian option, simply omit or substitute!)
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These are crucial for deepening the chili’s base flavor with their characteristic smokiness.
• Beans: A combination of kidney and black beans adds essential texture, protein, and heartiness to the dish.
• Cinnamon: A subtle yet transformative spice that enhances the savory and sweet notes, elevating the chili’s complexity.

Pro Tip: For a lighter version, consider swapping the Italian sausage for ground turkey, creating a delicious Pumpkin Ground Turkey Chili.

How to Make Pumpkin Chili Step-by-Step

Crafting this pumpkin chili is straightforward, involving just a few key steps. Follow along to create a rich and satisfying meal:

1. Brown the Sausage: Begin by heating olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s thoroughly browned and aromatic. Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
2. Soften Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until they become soft and slightly translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon, cooking for another minute until fragrant to toast the spices.
3. Combine Ingredients: Return the browned sausage to the pot. Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes (undrained), kidney and black beans (rinsed and drained), pumpkin puree, and chicken broth. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully.
5. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Note: For a richer, smoother texture, stir in a dollop of sour cream or a swirl of coconut milk just before serving, creating a delightful Creamy Pumpkin Chili.

Quick Timing Breakdown

Serving and Storage Tips

Once your flavorful chili is ready, here’s how to best enjoy and preserve it:

• Serving Suggestions: Ladle the warm chili into bowls and customize with your preferred toppings. Popular choices include shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh avocado slices, or toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside warm cornbread or crusty artisanal bread for dipping.
• Make-Ahead: This pumpkin chili is excellent for meal prep, as its flavors deepen beautifully overnight. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and refrigerating for up to 4 days.
• Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, portion the cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed to restore consistency.

Storage Reminders

Expert Insight: The Appeal of Pumpkin Chili

Incorporating pumpkin into chili adds natural sweetness and a velvety texture while boosting fiber and vitamin A content. Pumpkin chili balances savory spices with subtle earthiness, making it both comforting and nutritiousa clever way to elevate a classic dish with seasonal produce.

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Yesica Andrews

Pumpkin Chili Recipe for a Delicious Cozy Fall Feast

This hearty pumpkin chili is a perfect fall pumpkin chili recipe that brings warmth and comfort to your table. Packed with spicy Italian sausage, fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, and creamy pumpkin puree, this pumpkin chili offers a delicious twist on classic chili. Ideal for a cozy fall night, it’s flavorful, filling, and sure to become your go-to hearty pumpkin chili.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 370

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground spicy Italian sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 ½ tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
• ¾ tsp ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 (15-oz.) cans fire-roasted tomatoes, not drained
• 1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• Garnishes: roasted pumpkin seeds, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, avocado

Method

 

1. In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 8–10 minutes, breaking it into pieces, until browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove it and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for 10–12 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
5. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and browned sausage. Stir to combine.
6. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
8. Serve hot with garnishes like sour cream, cheddar cheese, avocado, and pumpkin seeds.

Notes

• For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper. This chili also tastes great the next day, so consider making it ahead for deeper flavors. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.