BBQ Chili Mac

By chelyc13

Ingredients

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepepr
• 1 pound cavatappi pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, ribs and seeds removed,chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup bbq sauce (neely's recipe if possible)
• One 14oz can crushed tomatoes
• One 28oz can diced tomatoes in juice
• One 15oz can ranch style pinto beans
• Dash of hot sauce, preferably tabasco
• Green onions, sliced, for garnish
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Grated Cheddar Cheese, for garnish

Details

Servings 8

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it's boiling, ad the pasta and cook until it's al dente. Drain well in a colander, toss in olive oil and reserve.

2. Cook the bacon in a large dutch oven over medium heat until it is just lightly crisp and its fat has rendered. Atoss in the onion, jalapeno, and garlic, and saute until tender. Add the beef to the veggies to brown, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Plop the tomato paste into the pan, and stir until incorpoarted. Stir in the bbq sauce, crushed tomatoes, diced tomtoes,a nd beans, and simmer for 20 minutes, to allow the flavors to marry. Taste for seasoning,a nd add hot sauce and salt and pepper if desired. Add the pasta to the meat mixture, and stir well to combine.

3. Serve in bowls, garnished with green onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.