And what screams football louder than a big, bubbling pot of chili? Well, maybe nachos, but stay with me here. I’ve had chili on the brain all week, which probably explains why I’ve been making big ol’ vats of it. Like, “is she running a soup kitchen?” levels of chili. The good news is that chili freezes well, so you can stockpile it for future lazy nights when no one feels like cooking. You’re welcome.

The Great Vegetable Purée Incident

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: my crew does not do chunky veggies. ARFID looks different to everyone, but a lot of times the texture is a major culprit.  Bell peppers? Nope. Tomato chunks? Hard pass. Even onions get the side-eye. So, in what I consider a stroke of culinary genius (but what my family probably considers basic survival), I purée every single tomato and vegetable that goes into this chili. The result is a velvety, smooth sauce that disguises all the healthy stuff and won’t trigger as many food aversions.

Honestly, it’s like chili meets stealth mode, and I’m here for it.

Toppings? Let’s Not Get Crazy

While the chili itself gets a mild upgrade, the toppings are where things take a nosedive back into the land of simplicity. I’ve seen those chili bars on Pinterest, with exotic toppings like avocado slices, cotija cheese, or crispy fried onions, and I think, Wow, what a fun idea! My family would hate this. 

In this house, the most adventurous toppings anyone dares to try are cheddar cheese and sour cream. Maybe a few tortilla chips if we’re feeling particularly wild. And you know what? That’s fine. Chili doesn’t need a fancy hat. It’s like sweatpants for your stomach—warm, comforting, and not here to impress anyone.

Walt Disney Chili (With My ARFID family tweaks)

Now, let’s get to the good stuff. This chili is hearty, cozy, and perfect for everything from Super Bowl parties to cold Tuesday nights. Here’s how I make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 medium onion, finely diced (or puréed, if you live in my house)

• 1 green bell pepper, diced (again, optional purée zone)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb stew meat

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 28 oz can tomato purée (or whole tomatoes puréed)

• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 cups beef broth

• 2 tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

Optional toppings: Cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or anything your crew might tolerate.

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the stew meat in batches.  Transfer to a bowl for later.  Add a little more oil to the pot if you need to then add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until soft (or just toss it all in the blender beforehand if you’re avoiding chunks).
2. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let the spices toast for about a minute to release their flavors.
4. Add the stew meat, puréed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring everything to a simmer.
5. Add the beans and stir. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Longer is better if you have the patience.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with your preferred toppings and enjoy!

Why It’s Perfect for the Super Bowl

First, it feeds a crowd without breaking a sweat. Throw it in a slow cooker to keep warm during the game, and people can help themselves whenever they need a break from yelling at the refs. Second, it pairs well with beer, chips, and whatever other snacks you’ve got going. (Pro tip: serve it with a side of cornbread if you want to go all out.)

Finally, chili doesn’t care which team you’re rooting for. Broncos fans, Chiefs fans, people who are just here for the halftime show—it’s a uniter, not a divider. Even if your family can’t agree on toppings, you’ll all agree that this chili is the real MVP of game day.

So whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, watching the Puppy Bowl (respect), or just surviving another cold winter day, make this chili. It’s simple, it’s sneaky-healthy, and it might just steal the spotlight from the game.