Place all ingredients into a stock pot except the ground beef and “optional” ingredients. Cook for about an hour, until the peppers and onions are tender.
Dump the ground beef into the pot and cook for another 1/2 hour. If you chose to use the brown sugar substitute, you would add the same time as you would the beef. Be sure to stir regularly so the sugars do not burn on the bottom of the pot.
Top with your sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.