Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread
A hearty vegetarian chili blending three regional beans with smoky paprika and spices, served with moist cornbread infused with sweet corn kernels for a comforting meal. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 75 minutes pairs olive oil, medium red bell pepper, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14 oz can canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper, sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juices, 1 cup each kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans, 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes to develop flavors.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp sugar.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 1 large egg until combined. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined. Fold in 1/2 cup thawed frozen corn kernels.
- Step 5: Pour cornbread batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 6: Serve hearty bean chili hot with a generous square of cornmeal cornbread to soak up the smoky, spicy juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Rustic Three-Bean Chili with Smoked Paprika and Cornbread vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
