Connie's Homemade Chili (1 cup serving size calculated)

1 & 1/2 pounds of ground beef (73/27)
1 - 16 oz can of Pork & Beans
1 - 15 oz can of Dark Red Kidney Beans
1 - 15 oz can of Light Red Kidney Beans
1 - 14.5 oz can of Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 - 15 oz can of Tomato Sauce
3/4 cup of chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green sweet bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red sweet bell pepper
3 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp of Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 tsp of Ground Red Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Johnny's Seasoning Salt
4 tsps unpacked Brown Sugar

Serve w/ a sprinkling of 2% Cheddar Cheese (it will help cool it down) - but don't forget to add the nutritional info for the cheese.

You can also substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef, which will definitely improve the nutritional values.

Instead of using fresh onions & peppers, some stores sell a frozen mix of chopped onions, red & green peppers - usually referred to as Pepper & Onion Stir Fry. I use this, when I have it, to make this chili, meat loaf, spaghetti & lasagna sauce, and grilled w/ steaks. It saves time & sometime money.

On medium high heat, brown ground beef in large cooking pot. Drain off the fat. Add onions & peppers and cook until onions are translucent. Add spices, crushing in hand before dropping in pot, to release flavors. Add brown sugar, stirring good. Add your beans & tomatoes & tomato sauce. Make sure all ingredients have been added now. Reduce heat to medium & cook for about 1/2 hour.

Serving Size: Makes 16 1-cup servings

Number of Servings: 16

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CONMOST.