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Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun Recipe

Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun Recipe
  • Category

    Main Dish

  • Cusine

    American

Ingredients

Kosher salt

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, chopped

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 pound ground beef

1 can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped, juice reserved

2 tablespoons hot sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

4 French bread rolls

1 pound dry whole-milk mozzarella, grated

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over high heat until shimmering. Add onion and green pepper and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, and oregano. Stir continuously until very fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add beef and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to break up the meat, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and juice and the hot sauce, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook pasta in the boiling water according to the directions on the packaging. Drain in a colander and then stir into the chili mac. Cover and keep warm. Slice the rolls in half horizontally. Place rolls, cut-side up, on a large baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Sprinkle cut sides with grated cheese. Place rolls in the oven and cook until cheese melts and rolls are toasted, about 8 minutes. Spoon the chili mac onto the bottom rolls and crown with the top piece. Serve.