Cheesy Hash Brown Chili

My mom sent me this one that she got from Rachel Ray.




Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup tomato paste (I used a small can of tomato sauce)
1 pound ground beef
Salt and pepper
One 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed (I used chili beans)
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (I blended them as the boy won't eat "chunks")
One 1-pound bag frozen shredded hash brown
potatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2% milk kind)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat, for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add the beans and the tomatoes with their juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20minutes. Transfer to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish.

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°. In a large bowl, combine the
potatoes and cheese. Scatter the potato mixture over the chili. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake until the potatoes are cooked through and the chili is bubbling, about 35 minutes.