Ranch House Chili Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon
• 2 pounds boneless beef, cubed
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 dashes hot pepper sauce
• 2 (20 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained

Instructions

1. Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon, drain and crumble. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons fat.
2. Brown meat in the fat and put into a 3 quart casserole.
3. Cover and bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.
4. Add onions, garlic and 1 cup water. Then add tomato sauce and stir in chile powder mixed with the sugar.
5. Cover and bake at 300 degrees F for 45 minutes.
6. Add remaining ingredients, mix well and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
7. Just before serving, sprinkle with bacon.