Pat's Chili recipe

This is my favorite recipe from my co-worker Pat. I have made it so many times over the years and it's become a favorite!

Chili Recipe

1 lb. ground beef (don’t use the extra lean kind)
2 hot Italian sausage (casings removed)
2 sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 medium-large onion diced
1 medium-large pepper (any color) diced
2-4 jalapenos (to taste) chopped with or without seeds
2-4 cloves of garlic diced
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 28 oz. can of whole, peeled tomatoes
1 15oz. can of whole tomatoes ( I like to use the roasted tomatoes for the whole ones but any kind are fine)
3 cans of beans (I use black beans, kidney and pinto beans)
3-5 tablespoons of chili powder
2-4 tablespoons of cumin
3-5 tablespoons of paprika
1-2 tablespoons of cayenne
salt and pepper to taste

Brown beef and crumble beef and sausage in a Dutch oven. Sprinkle with paprika, chili powder, cumin and cayenne reserving some of the spices for later. Stir until well mixed. Remove meat from pan. You can (but I don’t always) drain fat from pot.

Sauté diced onions, peppers, jalapenos and garlic until soft then add meat again. Add tomatoes, beans (don’t drain) and remaining seasonings to taste.

I add the salt when chili is almost done. Simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours. I wait until it has the consistency that I like. Serve with shredded cheese, scallions and sour cream. Enjoy.