3-ALARM SOUTHWESTERN SAUSAGE & BEEF CHILI

3-Alarm Southwestern Sausage & Beef Chili image

Provided by Carol F

Time 3h40m

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 can(s) crushed tomatoes, large cans
2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground italian spicy sausage
1 c red, yellow, and green peppers, chopped/cubed
1/2 c yellow onion chopped/cubed
1 can(s) yellow corn, drained
1 can(s) black beans, drained
1 can(s) chili or kidney beans, drained
6 Tbsp chili powder, or more or less (to taste)
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp olive oil, light
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 pkg multi-grain tortilla chips
2 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (spicy! and optional)

Steps:

1. First, you're going to need a large pot or a stock pot, and a frying pan for this recipe.
2. Brown the sausage and the beef in the frying pan, either together or separately, making sure it isn't clumping up by chopping it finely with spatula. I also have used a fork and knife to cut it up while cooking to make it finer. Don't overcook meat, just brown it so there is no pink color. It's still going to cook more in the chili.
3. Add 4 cans of tomatoes to the large pot, and add meat and all other ingredients. BE SURE to DRAIN the BEANS and CORN or it will be too watery. Cook for 3 hours (no good chili is cooked quickly - it has to simmer on a low heat for AT LEAST 3 hours if not more.) This way all of the ingredients get a chance to mesh together and create the delicious taste.
4. The red pepper flakes are listed as optional - this is a very spicy chili if you use the red pepper flakes - but my child still ate it so it must be pretty good. I like spicy so it didn't bother me. I do recommend the flakes but you may want to scale down on them if you have a "finicky" eater. Enjoy!
5. The multi-grain tortilla chips are to eat with the chili. My child likes to scoop it up with the chips. It's also a nice way to balance out the spicy flavor, the chips soften it up a bit. And, they are healthy!