Queso Mac and Cheese with Spicy Ground Beef

Chickpea pasta folded into jarred queso with chipotle-seasoned ground beef, finished under the broiler with Monterey Jack.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef (96/4)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp ground chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup chipotle Cholula (or hot sauce of choice)
• 8 oz Banza elbow pasta (or pasta of choice)
• 12 oz jar queso dip
• 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack (optional topping)

Steps

1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta 2–3 minutes less than package directions.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add beef, sprinkle on the mixed spices, and cook until no pink remains.
3. Add hot sauce and cook about 30 seconds until liquid cooks off.
4. Reduce heat to low, stir in queso, then gently fold in the cooked pasta.
5. Top with Monterey Jack and broil 3–5 minutes until melted (or stir cheese into the queso before adding pasta).

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