Supreme Pizza Chili

Supreme Pizza Chili

This recipe combines the hearty goodness of chili with all your favorite pizza toppings for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• Meaty base:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 6 ounces ground Italian sausage (spicy or mild, your preference)
  • 4 ounces diced pepperoni
• Veggies:
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, fire-roasted preferred
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Seasoning:
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Toppings (optional):
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Diced red onion
  • Chopped green bell pepper
  • Sliced black olives
  • Pepperoni slices
  • Fresh basil leaves

Cooking Guide:

1. Heat the oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Cook the bacon: Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel.
3. Brown the sausage and pepperoni: Add the Italian sausage and pepperoni to the pot with the remaining bacon grease. Cook until the sausage is browned and the pepperoni starts to curl, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
4. Sauté the veggies: Add the chopped onion and green pepper to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in the cumin, chili powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds to toast the spices. Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Incorporate the beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans. Simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Season and adjust: Season the chili with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You can adjust the spice level at this point with additional red pepper flakes if desired.
8. Serve it up!: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite pizza toppings like shredded mozzarella cheese, diced red onion, chopped green pepper, sliced black olives, pepperoni slices, and fresh basil leaves.

Tips:

• Ground beef substitute: You can substitute ground beef for the Italian sausage if preferred.
• Spice it up: For an extra kick, add a diced jalapeno pepper along with the onions and peppers.
• Veggie lovers: For a vegetarian chili, omit the meat and add an extra can of drained and rinsed beans (black beans, pinto beans, or chickpeas would work well). You can also add chopped mushrooms for an extra meaty texture.
• Leftovers: This chili tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Serve it with: Enjoy your Supreme Pizza Chili with a side of crusty bread, cornbread, or garlic knots for dipping. A simple green salad would also be a great accompaniment.