Pepperoni Pizza Chili

This recipe won "Grand Prize" in Taste of Home magazine. Awesome on a chilly day and leftovers freeze well :)

Pepperoni Pizza Chili

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
1 can (14 1/2 oz) Italian stewed tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 package (3 1/2 oz) sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
Shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

Directions:

In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, pizza sauce, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, pepperoni, green pepper, pizza seasoning and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until chili reaches desired thickness. Garnish with cheese if desired. Yield: 8 servings.