Mexi Ground Beef Chili Macaroni Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 43 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 13 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 -2 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (optional or to taste, add in if you like spicy!)
• 2 (1 ounce) packages taco seasoning mix (you can use 1 package if desired, or use a single or double recipe of my kittencal's taco seasoning mix)
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• 8 slices bacon (cooked till very crisp and chopped)
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 (10 ounce) cans tomato soup
• 1 -2 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
• seasoning salt (can use salt)
• pepper
• 3 cups cooked macaroni (can use less, cook the macaroni to just firm-tender)
• 4 cups shredded tex-mex cheese, divided (or to taste or cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese)

Recipe

• 1 in a large skillet brown the beef with dried chili flakes, onion, garlic and the green pepper until the beef is no longer pink (about 10-12 minutes, make sure the beef is well browned) drain any fat.
• 2 add in taco seasoning mix with parmesan cheese; mix to combine and cook 1 minute.
• 3 add in the cooked chopped bacon, tomato sauce, 2 cans tomato soup and brown sugar (if using); simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4 season with seasoning salt and pepper and mix in 2 cups shredded tex-mex or cheddar cheese.
• 5 add in the cooked macaroni pasta; mix to combine.
• 6 set oven to 350 degrees f.
• 7 grease a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish (or larger).
• 8 transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
• 9 sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, then about 2 cups (or more)grated tex-mex or cheddar cheese.
• 10 bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
• 11 delicious!