Beef Italian Chili Recipe

This is a beef chili made with a ragú (Italian bolognese sauce base). The original recipe came from Johnny Carino and this is supposed to be a good copycat version of Johnny Carino's Italian Chili.

Beef Italian Chili Recipe — Johnny Carino's Copycat

Ingredients:
500g (1 1/8 lb) minced (ground) beef
225g (1/2 lb) Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
75g (1/2 cup) green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
850ml (30 oz) bolognese ragú
400g (1 tin) cooked blak beans (tinned is fine)
400g (14 1/2 oz) chili beans
400g tin of chopped tomatoes (with juice)
400g (14 1/2 oz) sliced mushrooms
250ml (1 cup) water
50g (1/2 cup) sliced pepperoni, halved
5 tsp hot chilli powder (or to taste)
freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
chilli flakes, crushed, to taste

Method:
Add the minced beef to a large pot, heat for 2 minutes then add the sausage, onion, green bell pepper and garlic. Fry for about 8 minutes, or until browned then drain off the excess fat.

Add all the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the chili is thick and the flavours have melded.

Serve hot.