Recipe: Thick Oven-Baked Chili (using ground beef and kielbasa)

THICK OVEN-BAKED CHILI

"Offer this flavorful chili with assorted toppings for a casual get-together after a football game or for Super Bowl Sunday."

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 pound kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 green or red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped, juice from can included
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Freshly ground pepper to taste
TOPPINGS:
Sour cream
Sliced green onions
Grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, warm oil. Saute beef, sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

Cover and bake in 325 degree F oven about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and bake 30 minutes longer. Remove bay leaves and discard.

Serve in big bowls with assorted toppings along with snacks chips, pretzels, crudites, and/or cheese bread.

Makes 6-8 servings
Source: The Big Book of Casseroles by Maryana Vollstedt