Pizza Chili

by Dorothy Reinhold on October 21, 2022


Print This Post Print This Post White bowl of Pizza Chili on a red and white striped towel with a spoon in front

Pizza Chili is for everyone who can’t decide between the two — it’s a delicious bowl of pizza flavors in the form of chili, with sausage, pepperoni, beans and tomatoes.

Luckily, it’s also easy to make in one skillet, so it is family friendly and weeknight friendly, too. Need a game-day or game-night meal? Need a bowl of something delicious for the family or friends? Turn on the stove, get out the skillet, and this is it. 

How to make Pizza Chili

Ingredients for Pizza Chili laid out on a marble counter

As always, first gather your ingredients. For this recipe, we’ll need:

  • Onion
  • 2 bell peppers
  • Italian sausage (I use turkey Italian sausage to cut down on fat). Use a scissors to slit open the casing and remove the sausage meat from the casing.
  • Pepperoni (I use turkey pepperoni to cut down on fat)
  • Marinara sauce (My favorite is low-sodium Silver Palate. There is plenty of salt in this recipe!)
  • Cannellini beans
  • Herbs and spices like garlic powder, oregano and red pepper flakes
  • Garnishes like mozzarella, ricotta, fresh basil, Parmesan, croutons

Onions and peppers in a light skillet on ShockinglyDelicious.comSaute the onions and peppers.

Italian sausage sauteeing in the skillet for Pizza Chili on ShockinglyDelicious.comAdd the Italian sausage, break up and saute.

Add pepperoni into the skillet with sausage, peppers and onions on ShockinglyDelicious.comThe add the chopped pepperoni and saute.

Pouring marinara sauce and beans into the skillet for Pizza Chili on ShockinglyDelicious.comAnd finally add the beans, jarred marinara sauce and herbs and spices.

Pizza Chili in a white bowl with a spoon nestled in the bowl, atop a red striped towel on ShockinglyDelicious.comServe it in a bowl and enjoy!

Pizza Chili in a white bowl with a dollop of ricotta on top and a spoon nestled alongside on ShockinglyDelicious.comOr add garnishes, like pesto-flavored ricotta, if you like. Just stir some prepared pesto into ricotta and dollop it on, much as you would sour cream on regular chili.

Pizza Chili in an aqua bowl wth croutons on top, sitting on top of a newspaperOn our second night of eating it, as leftovers, we put basil leaves, grated Parmesan and homemade croutons on top! (Those are a couple of slices of raw cucumber on the side of the bowl, for green crunch!)

The backstory of Pizza Chili

I was inspired by Jason Goldstein of Chop Happy (Instagram @chophappy) for this recipe. He was a contestant on a Food Network TV show called “Big Bad Budget Battle,” where the goal was to make meals for 2 parties on a budget of only $60. The judges called his NYC Pizza Chili “party chili,” with a ton of bang for the buck! I was sold on the idea, and adapted his recipe a bit to suit my own tastes. Go check Jason out on Instagram and follow him…you’ll find his enthusiasm infectious, and he brings the party every single day. 

Let’s make Pizza Chili!

Pizza Chili Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Pizza Chili Recipe

Pizza Chili is for everyone who can't decide between the two -- it's a delicious bowl of pizza flavors in the form of chili, with sausage, pepperoni, beans and tomatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (1 yellow, 1 orange, if you can)
  • 1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage (or your favorite Italian sausage), casings removed
  • 15 small slices pepperoni, chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (25-ounce) jar marinara sauce (spaghetti sauce)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Garnish ideas
  • --dollop of ricotta
  • --ricotta with pesto stirred in
  • --shredded mozzarella or provolone
  • --chopped fresh basil or fresh Italian parsley
  • --finely chopped bell pepper and onion
  • --croutons

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet, add olive oil, onion and bell peppers. Saute for 3 minutes, stirring often.
  2. Remove casings from sausage (do this easily by using a kitchen shears to slit the casing lengthwise, and peel it off by hand) and add sausage and pepperoni to skillet, breaking sausage up with a spatula. Saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add beans, marinara sauce, oregano, garlic powder and pepper flakes and stir to combine. Put a lid on the skillet, turn heat down and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Serve in bowls with your choice of garnishes.
  5. Serves 4.

Notes

Recipe inspiration: Jason Goldstein of @chophappy on Instagram. This is my adapted version of his recipe from "Big Bad Budget Battle" on The Food Network. See story for additional details.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/pizza-chili/

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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

wonderfulcook December 20, 2022 at 1:46 am

This chili looks yummy and easy to make! I have to try this up soon!

Reply

Ashley Lecker November 7, 2022 at 4:53 pm

We just love pizza at our house and I couldn’t wait to try this! My kiddos absolutly loved it!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold November 8, 2022 at 10:32 am

Ashley,
Fabulous! I am so glad to hear that!

Reply

Inger October 23, 2022 at 4:17 pm

This is so much fun! Yes, I know what it’s like to be indecisive!

Reply

Wendy Klik October 23, 2022 at 6:25 am

I think my family would love this chili. Thanks

Reply

Jolene October 23, 2022 at 4:36 am

This one’s got my name all over it, just need to pick up some pepperoni!

Reply

Wendy Klik October 22, 2022 at 12:28 pm

I can’t wait to serve this up to my family. It sounds delicious.

Reply

Karen's Kitchen Stories October 22, 2022 at 11:56 am

This sounds delicious!! Plus, easy peasy!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold October 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm

Karen,
It will be done within half an hour!

Reply

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