Taste of home spicy touchdown chili

Bring out your largest saucepan, because this spicy chili packs some big flavors. One pot is all you need, though, to spoon ample servings of a thick, meaty stew that will make your guests’ eyes water for all the right reasons.

My father was a cook in the Army and taught me the basics in the kitchen. My childhood baby-sitter inspired my love of cooking, too...in fact, she gave me this recipe. —Julie Brendt, Antelope, California

Pork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. I keep serving-size containers of it in my freezer at all times so I can quickly warm up bowls on busy days. —Margie Shaw, Greenbrier, Arkansas

For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma

Pizza and chili together—what could be better? Fill folks up at halftime when you set out bowls of this chili. —Jennifer Gelormino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Spicy sausage and chicken broth flavor the milder lentils and beans in this sausage and lentil soup recipe. Tomatoes and spinach add color while goat cheese tops it off with a bit of tanginess.

The best way to tone down too spicy chili is to add additional ingredients that either compliment and/or cut through the spiciness.

I came up with this easy dinner one day while experimenting in the kitchen. Everyone who tries it, loves it! —Laura Burgess, Mount Vernon, South Dakota

This dish is well suited to my lower-carb way of eating. It's definitely soul food, and I love that it's very simple to prepare. —Paula Diaz, Billings, Montana

I often combine the ingredients for this zesty chili the night before. In the morning I load up the slow cooker and let it go! It's so easy to prepare. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio