Roasted Cherry Tomato Chili Soup
Nothing tastes better on crisp fall nights than a piping hot bowl of chili soup. This is my favorite chili recipe to make in the late summer or early fall when temperatures start to fall but my summer garden is still in production. The sweetness from the cherry tomatoes and the spiciness of the hot peppers balance each other well in this fresh twist on a classic chili recipe.
Cook Time
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- salt
- pepper
- 3 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon coriander
- 3 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, cut in half
- 1 sweet bell pepper, diced or chopped
- 1 can tomato juice
- 2 cups elbow macaroni noodles, uncooked
- 1 can chili beans, undrained
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place jalapeño pepper halves and tomatoes on cookie sheet. Spread cherry tomatoes out into single layer. Drizzle olive oil over the peppers and tomatoes. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until tomatoes are soft.
- While that is roasting, in a large skillet cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked. Drain the meat. Season with salt and pepper. Add chili powder, cumin, and coriander to meat, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Place the roasted jalapeño peppers in a food processor and give it a quick chop (I pulsed for 1-2 seconds). Add the tomatoes to the food processor and again give it a quick chop until at the desired sized (I again only pulsed for 1-2 seconds so that it was still chunky).
- In a large saucepan or stockpot add the meat, roasted tomatoes and peppers, bell pepper, and tomato juice. Heat to boiling over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, add the macaroni and chili beans, cook at a low boil 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until macaroni reaches desired texture and beans are heated through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice. Give it a quick taste and adjust accordingly.
- Enjoy!
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Quick Note
If you don’t have a food processor you can use a food chopper or knife. The food processor is faster and less messy.
Steps Four and Five
Enjoy!
Quick Tip
When serving this soup for crowds, I like having a topping bar so everyone can adjust their chili they way they like it. I usually include honey or sugar, hot sauce or jalapenos slices, sour cream, shredded cheese, crackers and occasionally diced avocados.
Ways to Top your Chili
For sweeter chili:
Drizzle in some honey or sprinkle in some sugar.
For spicier chili:
Add some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or diced jalapeno peppers.
For a more savory and creamier chili:
Add a spoonful of sour cream, give it a stir, then top it with shredded cheese.
Another Quick Tip
Remember it is always easier to adjust the taste of the chili by the bowl, that way if you add to much sweetness or heat you’re not ruining your whole pot of chili, you can just add more chili to your bowl. If you’re not sure how much to add, I recommend adding a pinch or a drop or two at a time and tasting often.
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