Mexican Chili Dinner(Taco Dinner)
A flavorful and hearty Mexican-inspired taco dinner featuring seasoned beef, fresh vegetables, melted cheese, crunchy chips, and spicy hot sauce, perfect for casual gatherings and family meals.
Ingredients
- 3 lb. hamburger ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 large can kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 large can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 large can tomato sauce
- 1 pkg. taco seasoning ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 large pkg. Dorito chips, crushed
- 1 head lettuce, shredded ⓘ
- 1 pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- diced onions ⓘ
- diced peppers
- diced celery ⓘ
Instructions
- Fry hamburger and diced onions until cooked through.
- Add drained kidney beans, tomato soup, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Let simmer for 1 hour.
- Prepare separate dishes with diced lettuce, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped onions, peppers, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives.
- Create your own salad with the prepared vegetables.
- Arrange raw vegetables on plates, add the cooked hamburger mixture, top with sour cream, crushed Dorito chips, and hot sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider browning the hamburger with garlic and bell peppers. If you want a vegetarian twist, substitute the hamburger with lentils or beyond meat crumbles. For a spicier kick, add jalapeños or hot sauce during cooking. You can also experiment with different beans, such as black beans or pinto beans, to vary the taste. Pair this dish with a side of cornbread for a comforting meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Mexican Chili Dinner with a side of warm tortillas or cornbread for a complete meal. A fresh side salad can also complement the dish nicely. For an added crunch, consider serving with additional crushed Dorito chips on the side or as a topping. This meal pairs beautifully with Mark'S Taco Salad(Makes 8 To 12 Servings) for a festive gathering.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, or microwave in a covered dish for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway. If the mixture thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexican Chili Dinner(Taco Dinner) contains roughly 1113 calories, with 66g protein, 176g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (240% of the Daily Value), iron (148% of the Daily Value), and protein (131% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1877mg per serving (82% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Absolutely! This chili can be made a day in advance. Just let it cool completely before refrigerating. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight. Simply reheat before serving, and it can be even more delicious the next day.
What can I use instead of kidney beans?
You can easily substitute kidney beans with black beans, pinto beans, or even chickpeas if you prefer. Each option will bring a different flavor and texture to the dish, making it versatile and adaptable to your taste.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, to make this dish vegetarian, use lentils, black beans, or a meat substitute like soy crumbles instead of hamburger. Adjust the cooking time as needed, and you can still enjoy all the flavors of this hearty meal without the meat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).