One-Pot Underground Shelter Chili with Smoked Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

A hearty, smoky chili perfect for a family meal inspired by a survival shelter setting, combining smoked sausage, beans, and deep spices. This American one-pot recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs smoked sausage, sliced, olive oil, and yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• for serving lime wedges

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and edges are slightly crispy.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper to the pot, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 oz) can drained kidney beans, 1 (15 oz) can drained black beans, and 1 cup chicken broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes until flavors meld and chili thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve hot with lime wedges for squeezing over.