BBQ Chili Mac

Ingredients

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound cavatappi pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup Neelys BBQ sauce (recipe follows)
• One 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
• One 15-ounce can ranch-style pinto beans
• Dash of hot sauce, preferably Tabasco
• Green onions, sliced, for garnish
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Grated cheddar cheese, for garnish
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar
• 5 tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• (makes 3 1/2 cups)