Chili Casserole

A wonderful comfort meal.   Cornbread and chili together, how can you go wrong?

CHILI CASSEROLE
(serves 8)

Chili Ingredients:
*1 pound ground beef
*1 medium yellow onion, chopped
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
*1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
*5 cups stewed tomatoes
*2 (15.5 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, drained
*1 (1.25 ounce) package of chili seasoning mix (I make my own)

*2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 

Cornbread Ingredients:
*1 cup cornmeal
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*1 tablespoon baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 1/2 cups milk
*2 large egg
*1/3 cup granulated sugar
*1/2 cup melted butter
*hot sauce (optional)

Directions:
~In a large stock pot or dutch oven, mix 1 pound ground beef, 1 medium chopped onions, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 chopped green bell pepper and 1/2 chopped red bell pepper, cook over medium-high heat.
~Cook until hamburger is brown, chop ground beef as it cooks.
~Drain any excess grease.
~Mix in 5 cups stewed tomatoes, 2 (15.5 ounce) cans of kidney beans and 1 (1.25 ounce) of chili seasoning mix.
~Bring to a boil.
~Reduce to low and simmer for 2-4 hours (or until chili thickens up).
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~Combine 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1/3 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl.
~In a large mixing bowl, mix the 1 1/2 cups milk.
~In a small bowl, beat 2 large eggs and 1/3 cup sugar until mixed.
~Add 1/2 cup melted butter into the egg mixture and beat until well combined.
~Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture.
~Mix, but just enough to make the dough come together.
~Carefully pour chili into a 9x13 inch pan.

~Sprinkle 2 cups cheddar cheese over meat mixture.
~Pour cornbread mixture over the top of the chili.
~Drizzle a small amount of hot sauce over corn bread mixture (optional).
~Bake for 25-30 minutes.
~Remove from oven and serve.