Lay the bacon on a cookie sheet and place in cold oven.

Turn oven to 400 degrees F and cook bacon for 20 minutes.

Remove tray from the oven and let cool slightly.

Drain fat from the tray, reserving it to cook with.

Chop up the bacon and set aside.

Heat a tablespoon of the bacon grease in a large pot and brown the beef. Break up ground meat as it browns.

Add the onion and carrots and saute for a few minutes. Add the peppers, and saute for another few minutes.

Add the garlic, beans, tomatoes, pasta sauce, tomato paste, onions, cilantro and spices and stir. Add in the corn and bacon bits and bring to a boil.

Turn heat down and simmer for 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavours to deepen.

Serve with shredded vegan cheese, avocado and tortilla chips if desired.

* Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, grain-free