Name: Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits – Easy Recipes with Ground Beef
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 lb ground beef; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 14-oz can crushed tomatoes; 1 14-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 14-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup beef stock or water; 2 Tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornmeal; 1 Tbsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 6 Tbsp cold butter, cubed; 1/2 cup buttermilk

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This Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits is the ultimate comfort food, combining the bold, hearty flavor of chili made with ground beef and beans, topped with golden, tender cornmeal biscuits baked right on top. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this dish is a winner in both flavor and simplicity. If you’re looking for easy recipes with ground beef, this is a must-try. It’s also great if you love quick and easy recipes, sweet easy recipes, air fryer easy recipes, dinner easy recipes, homemade pretzels soft easy recipes, or bread easy recipes.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits Recipe
3) Ingredients for Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits
4) How to Make Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits
5) Tips for Making Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits
6) Making Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits
8) Try these casseroles next!
9) Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Perfect weeknight meal with minimal prep
Comfort food with bold flavors and a buttery biscuit topping
Main dish casserole with a hearty twist
Easy to make ahead and great for leftovers
One-skillet meal ideal for busy families

2) Easy Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits Recipe

At clara Cooks, we love comforting, satisfying dinners—and this easy recipe with ground beef hits all the right notes. It’s the kind of meal you whip up on a Sunday night to feed your family and then enjoy again during the week. This dish blends a spicy, hearty chili base loaded with beans, ground beef, and spices, then tops it with fluffy, golden cornmeal biscuits baked to perfection. It’s the definition of cozy, crowd-pleasing food. The best part? It’s all made in a single skillet. Whether you’re hunting for quick and easy recipes or dinner ideas that make excellent leftovers, this one is a keeper. And for anyone craving something homey with a twist, these homemade biscuits and savory chili bring both comfort and bold flavor to the table. For more recipes like this, visit clara Cooks and find your new favorite meals.

3) Ingredients for Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits

Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for the best flavor and texture in your chili base. It browns beautifully and absorbs all the rich spices.

Onion: A chopped yellow onion adds a savory depth and sweetness once it’s sautéed, building the foundation of flavor for the chili.

Green Bell Pepper: Adds a mild crunch and gentle bitterness that complements the warmth of the chili powder and cumin.

Garlic: Minced garlic cloves bring aromatic richness and classic chili flavor that ties everything together.

Crushed Tomatoes: A can of crushed tomatoes gives body and acidity to the chili, helping to balance the savory elements.

Kidney and Pinto Beans: These hearty legumes bulk up the dish, adding protein, fiber, and a creamy texture to each bite.

Beef Stock: Deepens the meaty flavors and helps bring the chili together into a thick, saucy base perfect for spooning.

Chili Powder & Cumin: These bold spices give the chili its signature smoky, spicy flavor profile.

Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the other ingredients—season to your taste!

All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the biscuit dough, giving the topping structure and a light crumb.

Cornmeal: Adds a rustic, slightly gritty texture and that classic Southern flavor to your biscuit topping.

Baking Powder: This helps the biscuits rise and become fluffy while baking on top of the chili.

Salt: Just a pinch in the biscuit dough brings out the cornmeal’s natural sweetness and buttery notes.

Cold Butter: Essential for tender, flaky biscuits. Use very cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients.

Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture to the biscuits, resulting in a soft yet structured topping that’s irresistible.

4) How to Make Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Start by heating olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. This is your base and the heart of this easy recipe with ground beef.

Step 2: Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the beef. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. This mixture builds the flavor and aromatic base of the dish.

Step 3: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, both types of beans, beef stock, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let it all simmer for 15–20 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: While the chili simmers, prepare the biscuit dough. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then stir in the buttermilk until just combined.

Step 5: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the surface of the simmering chili. It’s okay if some chili shows through—the biscuits will expand and cover more as they bake.

Step 6: Carefully transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through. Serve hot and garnish with fresh herbs or shredded cheese if desired.

5) Tips for Making Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits

Use very cold butter in your biscuit dough to achieve that light, fluffy texture. Don’t overmix! Just stir until the dough comes together. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a half cup of milk. Let it sit for five minutes. If your skillet isn’t ovenproof, you can transfer the chili to a baking dish before topping with biscuits. Feel free to add more vegetables to the chili—corn, zucchini, or chopped spinach can be delicious additions. Want to spice things up even more? A pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeño in the chili will add a kick. If you’re looking for bread easy recipes to serve with other meals, the biscuit topping from this dish is also perfect on its own as drop biscuits!

6) Making Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits Ahead of Time

This is one of those dinner easy recipes that’s just as delicious reheated the next day. To prep ahead, cook the chili portion fully and let it cool. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, reheat the chili in the skillet, prepare the biscuit topping, and bake as instructed. You can also make the biscuit dough a few hours ahead and keep it chilled until you’re ready to top and bake. This flexibility makes it a go-to recipe for busy weekdays, family gatherings, or casual dinners with friends.

7) Storing Leftover Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot throughout. The biscuit topping will soften in storage but can be crisped again in the oven if desired. For freezing, store the chili base and biscuit dough separately. This way, the biscuits retain their texture when freshly baked after thawing. This dish is perfect for quick and easy recipes that yield multiple meals and freeze well.

8) Try these casseroles next!

9) Spicy Chili with Cornmeal Biscuits