I believe chili has no beans, but my chili is still hearty. I like to make rustic food. I dont chop my seasonings or anything super small. I like my customers see what they are eating. See and taste the freshness of everything being hand cut or homemade. My suggestion if you want it hearty without beans dont chop up the ground meat so fine. Leave it chunkier. You dont want your seasoning to big but also not to small. A nice medium dice. My seasoning(onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic). I also cook down my liquid a lot and sprinkle it with flour to really thicken it and make it feel heavy. Just a few suggestions of mine.