# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 1 pound ground beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground meat
→ Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices
04 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
05 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce Base
09 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
10 - 0.5 cup tomato sauce
11 - 2 cups low-sodium beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
→ Pasta
12 - 2 cups dry elbow macaroni or short pasta (gluten-free if needed)
→ Cheese
13 - 2 cups shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
→ Optional Add-Ins
14 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 - 1 jalapeño, diced
→ Toppings
16 - Sliced green onions
17 - Sour cream
18 - Crushed tortilla chips
19 - Extra shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Fresh cilantro
# Steps:
01 - Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat the meat and onions thoroughly with the spice mixture.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Add dry macaroni and optional beans and jalapeño if using. Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
06 - Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
07 - Turn off heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the pasta and stir until fully melted, creating a creamy, smooth sauce.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls and add desired toppings such as green onions, sour cream, tortilla chips, cilantro, or extra cheese. Serve immediately while hot.
