Chilli con carne, (Spanish for ‘chilli with meat’), is one of the best dishes to make for a casual get-together. The dish's exact origins are unclear, though Texas is believed to be the birthplace, belonging to Tex-Mex cuisine rather than traditional Mexican. Combining meat with tomatoes, beans, spices and veg, chilli con carne has become a staple dinner enjoyed all over the world, celebrated for its easy-to-share nature and use of storecupboard ingredients.

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If you're looking for a classic chilli recipe check out this chilli con carne, then discover our exciting twists below. Search for plenty more chilli iterations in our chilli con carne recipe collection.

1. Burnt aubergine veggie chilli

Pot of aubergine chilli next to a bowl of rice and with a hand dipping in a tortilla chip

We've omitted the meat in favour of smoky, spiced aubergine in this low fat vegetarian chilli. Counting as four of your five-a-day, it's a delicious way to up your veg intake whilst feeding the whole family. Serve with brown rice and all your favourite trimmings.

Discover more ways to cook with aubergine in our aubergine recipe collection.

2. Double bean & roasted pepper chilli

Double bean and roasted pepper chilli in a pot

Pack in the veggies while maintaining chilli con carne's signature flavours in this healthy vegan chilli. Serve with hot sauce to pep things up, along with contrasting flavours of soured cream or yogurt. Serving up to eight, it's a keeper of a recipe for feeding a crowd.

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Discover more veggie suppers with larger portions with our vegetarian batch cooking collection.

3. Quick chilli

Chilli and rice on a white dinner plate

Dinner can be on the table in just 20 minutes with this fast and filling chilli. We've made a few simple shortcuts – using shop-bought tomato and chilli sauce – so there's less time standing at the hob and more time enjoying your evening. Best served with rice or piled high onto baked potatoes, dolloped with soured cream.

See more speedy meals with our quick dinner collection and quick and healthy dinner recipes.

4. Chipotle bean chilli with baked eggs

Pan of chilli with eggs and coriander next to dip and tortillas

This filling one-pot uses some of the core ingredients in chilli con carne, with delicious Mexican-inspired additions including smoky hot chipotle sauce, baked eggs and tortillas.

Save on washing up with our filling family one-pot recipes.

5. Next level chilli con carne

Chilli con carne in bowl with toppings

Enrich a classic chilli con carne with peanut butter, espresso powder and dark chocolate for a decadent boost. It may sound strange, but we promise you won't look back.

Find more reinventions on classics in our best comfort food recipe collection.

6. Turkey tortilla pie

Turkey tortilla-pie in a large pot

Top your chilli con carne with tortilla wraps in this healthy turkey twist, fusing two popular Tex-Mex dishes: nachos and enchiladas. It makes a great sofa supper on cold nights.

Find more fun Friday night dinners then check out our collection of turkey pie recipes.

7. Chicken chilli con carne

Chicken chilli con carne

Swap beef for chicken in this fun sharing dish, offering all the richness and comfort of a classic chilli con carne. Serving four to six, it makes a great sharing dish with rice or tortilla chips and topped with guacamole and soured cream.

Discover more chicken dinner recipes and freezable chicken recipes.

8. Veggie protein chilli

Veggie chilli with rice on plate

Make a protein-packed vegan chilli for the perfect post-workout dinner. Mixing sweet potato with mixed beans and plenty of spice, it's an easy-to-rustle-up dish which can be frozen ahead of busy nights.

Find more high-protein vegan meals, or check out our collection of healthy vegetarian dinners.

9. Mexican beef & potato pie

A shepherd's pie with a chilli con carne-style filling, cheesy mash and tortilla chips, served in a white baking dish

Mix shepherd's pie with chilli con carne and what do you get? You get this epic Mexican beef pie. A chilli con carne style filling is topped with cheesy mash and tortilla chips, then baked in the oven for 10 mins to melt the cheese. That's Friday night plans sorted!

See our collection of shepherd's pie recipes or dive into our best Mexican recipes.

10. Chilli con carne jackets

Two jacket potatoes topped with chilli con carne, served on white dinner plates with a side salad

Transform your baked potato with these pimped up chilli con carne jackets, featuring a simple-to-make pork and chipotle chilli filling. Your weeknight dinner has never look so appetising.

Browse our collection baked potato recipes for more midweek inspiration.

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Enjoyed this? Discover more classic recipes with a twist…

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