Budget-Friendly Weeknight Tex Mex Dinner

Looking for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that still packs a punch of flavor? This 3-ingredient Ro-Tel chili recipe is your answer. With just ground beef, beans, and a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes, you can have a hearty Tex-Mex style chili on the table in less than 40 minutes.

After I discovered this easy recipe, my life got a whole lot easier. It prompted me to check out the ingredients in a variety of convenience foods that would enable me to get dinner on the table in a matter of minutes without busting the grocery budget.

For example, when there’s a sale on jarred Alfredo sauce, I pick up a couple of jars. Yes, it’s not difficult to make it from scratch, but this is definitely even quicker and easier.

Perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or when you need comfort food without a lot of fuss, this simple chili proves that easy recipes can taste absolutely amazing.

Stovetop or Slow Cooker Chili

You can make this in your Crock Pot and call it Slow-Ro, but it’s super quick to make on the stovetop. So that’s how I made it. You don’t need to hover over it for very long. Just put the 3 ingredients in the pot, turn on the heat, and dinner is ready in just half an hour.

Ro-Tel Chili Ingredients

You only need a few things to make this chili. Of course, you can add more if you want, but it’s not necessary. 

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ground beef or turkey
• Can of chili beans (don’t drain)
• Can of Ro-Tel (10 ounce can)

Other ingredients you might want to add:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Beef broth or water
• Chili powder (not necessary because the chili beans are seasoned)
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Black beans

You can serve this chili the way you would any other version. For example, you might want to add sour cream, shredded cheese, or even jalapeño peppers.

How to Make 3-Ingredient Ro-Tel Chili

I always gather the ingredients I’ll need before I start cooking. That’s not difficult at all with this recipe because it only has 3 necessary items. First of all, brown the ground meat.

Drain the meat and pour it into a medium-size pot. If you decide to double the recipe, you’ll need a larger pot. Add the undrained chili beans, sauce and all, and the entire contents of a can of Ro-Tel. Stir until well mixed.

Since the tomatoes and the beans have sodium in them, you may decide that you don’t need more salt. But don’t add it now. You can also add beef broth or water if you want a thinner consistency. I added about 1/4 cup of beef broth.

Cook on medium heat for 30 minutes. Taste it to see if it needs salt and pepper. If you want to add salt or  black pepper, do it now. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for another 5 minutes.

When you’re ready to eat, scoop the chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings. We like sour cream, shredded cheese, and jalapeños. 

You can also add green onions, paprika, olives, and croutons. If you have a larger dinner group, a great way to serve the add-ons is to put them in individual bowls and let everyone add their own toppings.

I usually serve chili with tortilla chips, plain crackers, or bread (French bread for my husband and gluten-free rolls for me). If I have time, I like to make this yummy but crumbly southern-stye cornbread. My husband prefers this fine-ground cornmeal cornbread because it’s extremely moist.

Easy Crockpot Chili

This same recipe makes an easy Crockpot chili, only it takes longer. When I make it in the slow cooker, I use a small, 2-quart Crock Pot. If you’re making a larger amount, use a 4-quart or 6-quart pot. Since all of the ingredients are precooked and canned, you don’t have to cook it very long, even in a slow cooker.

I recommend cooking on high for about an hour and then turn it down to low for another hour or two. It’s a very forgiving recipe, so the amount of time doesn’t have to be exact.

Tips for Perfect Chili Every Time

This chili recipe delivers delicious results, but you might have different dietary needs or prefer other flavors added. Here are some tips:

• Swap out the protein. You can use ground turkey, ground pork, or a combination.
• If you are vegetarian, use a soy product or any meat-like substitute.
• Sometimes we like a little extra heat, so I add some chili powder or cayenne. Experiment with seasonings to discover what you prefer. The best way to do that is to add some to a small amount of the original recipe and taste test it as you go.

More Tips for Making Ro-Tel Chili

This is such an easy recipe to make it as-is. however, you can kick it up a notch by following just a few tips.

• Add a little bit of bacon to the ground beef as it browns. After all, bacon makes everything better, right?
• Don’t drain all of the fat after browning the ground beef. Leave a little bit of it to add more flavor to the chili.
• Put bowls of sour cream, green onions, hot peppers, and shredded cheese on the table so everyone can personalize their own bowl of chili.

Storage, Heating, and Meal Prep Tips

There’s a good chance there won’t be any leftovers because this Ro-Tel chili is so good. However, if you make more than you can eat, it will be good later if you follow these suggestions:

• After the chili cools, put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It should be good for 3-4 days.
• If you want to freeze it, put the cooled leftover chili in an airtight container, label it with the contents and date, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Leftover chili can be reheated in a saucepan on the stovetop. Turn the heat to medium and heat until it reaches the desired temperature. Or you can microwave it in individual microwave-safe bowls.

This recipe is super easy to prepare in advance. All you have to do is brown the ground beef the night before you cook it. Refrigerate the ground beef until you’re ready to add the other ingredients and cook it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ro-Tel

Canned Ro-Tel tomatoes have been a pantry staple in my home for many years because there are so many different ways to use them in recipes. Here are some answers to questions you may have:

Q: What are Ro-Tel tomatoes?

A: The ones I refer to here are canned tomatoes with added seasonings to provide a little bit of heat.

Q: Are there different varieties of Ro-Tel tomatoes?

A: Yes. I typically purchase the original Ro-Tel tomatoes, but there are also mild and hot versions of it in most grocery stores.

Q: Does Ro-Tel have msg?

A: According to the company’s statement, Ro-Tel products are free from msg.

End the Meal with Cool Dessert

After any dinner that delivers a lot of spice, it’s always nice to cool things down. The flavor of this no-bake Pineapple Pie is wonderful. We also like this Cherry Lime Pie for the same reason.

Please feel free to share!