Italian-style Chili

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried red chili pepper flakes (to taste) (optional)
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 (26 ounce) jar three-cheese pasta sauce (i use classico brand four-cheese pasta sauce)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth or 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 lb button mushroom (or to taste)
• 2 -3 ounces italian pepperoni, diced
• 1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
• 1 -2 tablespoon chili powder (can use more)
• 1 -2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• salt and black pepper (to taste)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• cooked spaghetti
• parmesan cheese (to taste)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• 2 add in ground beef, italian sausage meat, onion, garlic, chili flakes and bell pepper; cook until the meat is browned breaking up meat with a spoon while cooking; drain fat.
• 3 add in spaghetti sauce, beef broth or water, tomatoes with juice, mushrooms, pepperoni, bouillon powder and chili powder and cumin; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• 4 reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally (add in a little more water or broth if the mixture is too thick).
• 5 after 1 hour of cooking season with salt and pepper and add in kidney beans, continue cooking for 30 minutes more (or a little longer).
• 6 at the end of cooking stir in the cheddar cheese or you may sprinkle on top in place of the parmesan cheese.
• 7 ladle on top of cooked spaghetti, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese to taste.