• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
24Bite® Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • 24Bite Blog
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All 24Bite Recipes
  • Mexican Food Recipes
  • Tamales Recipes
  • Bread Machine Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Subscribe for Emails
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Soup Recipes » Italian Sausage Chili No Beans

    Italian Sausage Chili No Beans

    Date: October 30, 2021 by Christian Guzman • This post may contain affiliate links. See Privacy Policy below.

    This Italian Sausage Chili is the perfect warming bowl of hearty goodness. You won’t want to make your chili any other way.

    I love a good chili that stands all on its own with no beans. The combination of the chipotle with the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes is unexpected and will keep you coming back for more.

    • Is It Gluten Free?
    • How Do You Thicken Chili?
    • The Best Seasoning for Chili
    • What Do You Do with Leftover Chipotle Salsa?
    • How Do You Garnish Your Chili?
    • Chili No Beans
    • Do You Have Leftover Chili?
    • Recipe
    24Bite: Italian Sausage Chili No Beans Recipe by Christian Guzman
    With the distinct flavors of chipotle, it just seems appropriate to add cilantro and lime.
    Jump to Recipe

    This chili is different than any other chili I’ve ever made. And, it’s the most delicious I’ve ever had. The combination of flavors turned out to be incredibly perfect.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for Italian Sausage Chili on a countertop

    Italian Sausage

    To begin, there is the obvious use of Italian sausage. It was just a fluke that I decided to add it. I accidentally thawed out the wrong package. But, my accident, wow. Chili will never be the same.

    You can try to make this sausage with ground beef but I assure you that Italian sausage chili is the way to go. You won’t believe the incredible flavor.

    Vegetables

    I didn’t use anything unusual. Just like most chili I’ve made, I used onion, bell pepper and celery.

    For the tomatoes, I’ve used Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. I love these tomatoes. The roasting brings out such a nice sweet flavor.

    Have a browse at all
    24Bite recipes
    to customize your own search.

    Seasonings

    Garlic powder, cumin and paprika. Nothing unusual there, right? I know I’m missing the chili powder. But, here’s where it gets interesting.

    Rather than a powder, I used a can of San Marcos Chipotle Sauce. I really love this stuff. It’s a mixture of tomato sauce and chipotle.

    If you’re unable to find it, you can get a very similar sauce by mixing a little bit of tomato sauce with the sauce from a can of chipotle in adobo.

    It’s readily available at our grocery store in central Arkansas so I would imagine that it’s available in most places. If not, I believe you can find it at Walmart or Amazon online.

    Better Than Bouillon

    Okay, this is in the chili because I just like it. I love it, actually. Ever since discovering it, I’ve been adding it for flavor in a lot of things.

    Balsamic Vinegar

    Balsamic vinegar may seem like an unusual addition to chili but it’s perfect with tomatoes so it seems like the perfect pairing for a tomato-based chili.

    Is This Chili Gluten Free?

    Ordinarily, I would say that everything in this chili is gluten free. The Better Than Bouillon, though. The company says that they cannot confirm there is no gluten.

    There may not be any in the ingredients but it could still be made where gluten is found. Just be careful if you’re sensitve to gluten. Use a different bouillon or omit it.

    How Do You Thicken The Chili?

    If you find that you need to thicken the chili, try adding corn flour, also known as masa harina.

    A bag of Maseca brand Tamal masa harina or corn flour
    Try corn flour instead of wheat flour if you would like to thicken up the chili a bit.

    Masa harina isn’t exactly cornmeal. It’s the corn flour used to make tortillas and tamales. You can use regular masa harina or masa harina specifically made for tamales. We use Maseca brand.

    Mix two or three tablespoons of masa harina in about a ¼ cup of cool water to form a paste before adding to the chili.

    The Best Seasoning for Chili

    My mom passed to me her secret ingredient for the best chili. No matter what kind of chili she makes, she always adds a can of San Marcos Chipotle Salsa. It’s a mixture of tomato sauce and chipotle chiles.

    The Chipotle Salsa is fairly spicy. It’s not overwhelmingly spicy. To the uninitiated, you may need to reduce the amount to half the can. Maybe add half and taste it before adding more.

    If you’re unable to find this not-a-secret-anymore ingredient, try using the same amount of tomato sauce and add 1 or 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder.

    What Do You Do with Leftover Chipotle Salsa?

    If you use half a can of chipotle sauce, this leaves you with the other half. Not to worry. I love it and try to use it frequently in my recipes.

    Cooked shrimp in a creamy sauce made of coconut cream and chipotle sauce
    Try this Creamy Shrimp with any remaining chipotle sauce.

    So, if you’re looking for something else to make with the leftover, try this Creamy Chipotle Shrimp. It has just the perfect amount of spicy heat, just like this chili recipe.

    Of course, if you want more heat in your chili, you still have the other half of the can. You can add as much as you like. Use it a a table sauce too!

    24Bite: Italian Sausage Chili No Beans Recipe by Christian Guzman

    On the other hand, if you don’t like a lot of heat, try adding even less of the chipotle sauce before you taste it. You can get just the right amount.

    plate of birria tacos with link to recipe

    How Do You Garnish Your Chili?

    Because I felt like this chili had a sort of Mexican flair with the chipotle, I garnished with my standard shredded cheese, cilantro, lime and sour cream.

    Try chopped fresh onions, jalapenos, corn chips and avocado.

    Chili No Beans

    I decided no beans for this chili. I didn’t want to take away from any of the delicious flavors. But, if you want to add beans, you could go with black beans or maybe even a can of chili beans.

    I may have added chili beans if I could find some in the pantry. But, beans aren’t really necessary. The chili is so hearty as it is.

    A spoonful of chili covered in shredded cheese

    Do You Have Leftover Chili?

    The next day, I decided to add some cooked macaroni to the leftover chili. If you would like to spread out the Italian sausage to more than six servings, chili-mac works great too!

    More Recipes for Chilly Days

    Did you see what I did there? I’ll bet you did!

    I have lots of recipes that are perfect for when the temperatures start coming down outside. When some people start thinking about pumpkin spice, I start thinking about stew, soup and chili!

    • Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup
    • Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Kielbasa Sausage Soup with Lentils
    • Steak and Mushrooms Soup
    • Instant Pot Tortellini Soup

    Recipe

    24Bite Logo Full Size



    Pin Recipe Now

    Italian Sausage Chili Without Beans

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Tap to leave a star rating
    4.99 from 51 votes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 274kcal
    Author: Christian Guzman
    Save or Print
    This Italian Sausage Chili is the perfect warming bowl of hearty goodness. You won't want to make your chili any other way.

    For more information, be sure to check the recipe details in the attached 24Bite® post.

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Italian Sausage, ground
    • 1 Onion, chopped
    • 1 Bell Pepper, red or green, seeded and chopped
    • 2 Celery Stalks, chopped
    • 14.5 ounces Fire Roasted Tomatoes, canned, not drained
    • 7 ounces San Marcos Chipotle Sauce
    • 7.4 ounces Tomato Sauce
    • 6 ounces Tomato Paste
    • 1 cup Water
    • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor
    • 2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
    • 2 tablespoons Masa Harina, optional

    Instructions

    • In a large, heavy pan, brown Italian sausage on medium high heat, breaking up the meat and stirring frequently.
    • Once meat is fully cooked, add onion, bell pepper and celery. Stir well and continue cooking for about 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
    • Add all remaining ingredients except masa harina. Stir well. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer, uncovered for about 15-30 minutes.
    • If you want to thicken the chili, you can continue cooking for more of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, stir about 2 tablespoons masa harina in ¼ cup cool water until it forms a paste then add slowly to the chili. Allow to continue cooking until desired consistency.



    Note: If there is a video, it will not display while there is an adblocker.

    Notes

    Makes about 1 ½ quarts, for about eight servings.
    If you are worried about the spicy heat of the chipotle, add about ⅓ to ½ of the can to begin then add more to taste. See post for information on substituting if you can’t find the chipotle salsa.
    Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. You can also serve with corn or tortilla chips.
    Add about half to a full can of cooked beans, if you like. A can of chili beans would work well.
    Nutrition Facts
    Italian Sausage Chili Without Beans
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 274 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 6g38%
    Sodium 1177mg51%
    Carbohydrates 17g6%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 11g22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Tex-Mex
    Keyword chipotle sausage chili, italian sausage chili, italian sausage chili no beans, no beans chili, pork sausage chili
    ______________________



    Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite® takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite®, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.

    © 2019-2023 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved. Subscribe to 24Bite email newsletters.



    « Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup
    Cheese and Jalapeno Tamales Recipe »

    Dinner Recipes, Pork Recipes, Soup Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jacqueline Meldrum says

      March 24, 2021 at 6:59 am

      5 stars
      I want to insert a spoon into the screen and try some of that right now. It’s chilly here today

      Reply
    2. Michelle says

      March 24, 2021 at 8:19 am

      5 stars
      I love how much flavor the sausage gives this chili!

      Reply
    3. Alisa Infanti says

      March 24, 2021 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      This was a great light lunch with tonnes of amazing flavour. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.

      Reply
    4. Toni says

      March 24, 2021 at 8:34 am

      5 stars
      I love how comforting this is!

      Reply
    5. Agnieszka says

      March 24, 2021 at 8:50 am

      5 stars
      My middle son doesn’t like beans in anything so this was perfect. The smoky spice chipotle peppers give this chili is really pleasant.

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        March 25, 2021 at 1:35 am

        I especially love the smoky taste of the chipotle. It seems perfect for the Italian sausage. This recipe will be a family favorite for sure.

        Reply
    6. Audrey says

      April 12, 2021 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great spin on a classic!

      Reply
    7. Jessica Formicola says

      April 13, 2021 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      I prefer my chili with no beans, so this recipe is right up my alley! I can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    8. Jinny says

      October 02, 2022 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      Very, very good! I thought it would need to sit for the flavors to meld, but it was great right away!

      Reply
      • Christian Guzman says

        October 03, 2022 at 12:54 pm

        There’s something about that Italian sausage that makes really good chili. Thank you for visiting!

        Reply

    Join the Conversation Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Primary Sidebar

    Christian Guzman Headshot

    Welcome to 24Bite®! My name is Christian Guzman and I love to cook! I hope you will join me in the kitchen, where I teach you to make your favorite craves!

         

    For Your Best Holiday!

    • How to Make Tamale Masa Dough with Masa Harina
    • Red Tamale Sauce Authentic Recipe (+video)
    • Potatoes O’Brien Breakfast Casserole
    • Homemade Pork Tamales with Red Chili Sauce
    • Dairy Free Tres Leches Cake
    • Mexican Pink Cookies Polvorones Rosas

    Browse All 24Bite Recipes

    Mexican Food • Tamales • Enchiladas • Tacos • Pizza • Soups • Bread Machine • Pasta • Chicken • Cookies • GlutenFree • Vegan • Instant Pot • Crockpot • Vegetarian

    All Recipe Videos

    Newsletter Archives

    As Seen In

    24Bite resume websites

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Categories

    Follow

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    © 2019-2023 Kim Guzman and Christian Guzman. All rights reserved.

    Disclaimer: This website makes use of sponsored and/or affiliate links. 24Bite.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases. Roundups: You have permission from 24Bite to use one image and backlink for your roundups.