Chili Mac

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole Medium Vidalia Onion, Chopped
• 1 whole Sweet Red Pepper, Chopped
• 1 pound Ground Beef
• 1 pound Ground Sausage (of Your Choice)
• 1 pound Elbow Macaroni
• 1 can (16 Oz. Size) Tomato Sauce
• 1 can (14 1/2 Oz. Size) Diced Tomatoes
• 1 can (14 1/2 Oz. Size) Chili Beans
• 1 package (1 1/2 Oz. Size) Chilli Seasoning
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, For Garnish

1. In a large saute pan, heat up olive oil on medium-high heat.
2. Once olive oil is hot, add onion, red bell pepper, and saute for about 3 minutes.
3. Add both meats to the pan with the veggies.
4. Cook until the meat is no longer red, then turn the burner down to warm.
5. Continue to stir so the meat doesnt burn.
6. Fill a large pot with water for the macaroni noodles.
7. Once water starts to simmer or boil, add macaroni and cook until finished.
8. Make sure that you keep a watchful eye on the noodles and taste to make sure they are not over or undercooked.
9. Once noodles are done, drain the water and place noodles back in the pot.
10. Reserve 1 cup of the water from the cooked macaroni.
11. Dont put noodles back on the burner just yet.
12. In fact, I wouldnt return the pot back to the same burner because you want to allow your dish to simmer on warm, so use a different burner that has not been used yet.
13. In the pot with the noodles, add the reserved starch water, tomato sauce, beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.
14. Now add meat and sauteed veggies to the pot and stir until everything is evenly mixed.
15. Add salt and pepper to taste.
16. Place the pot back on the stove and allow to simmer for at least 10-15 minutes.
17. Make sure you keep stirring so the noodles wont burn.
18. When you are ready to eat, top with some finely shredded cheese.
19. If you want, you can even add a dollop of sour cream!

olive oil, vidalia onion, sweet red pepper, ground beef, ground sausage, macaroni, tomato sauce, tomatoes, chili beans, chilli seasoning, chili powder, red pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, cheddar cheese

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/chili-mac-2/ (may not work)