Cowboy Pasta with Beef Bacon (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Meat and Proteins

01 - 1.5 lb ground beef
02 - 0.5 lb bacon, cut into 1.3 cm pieces

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

03 - 0.5 red onion, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 can (approx. 400 g) diced tomatoes
06 - 1 can (approx. 340 g) sweet corn, drained
07 - 1 can (4 oz / 113 g) diced jalapenos

→ Spices and Oils

08 - 1 tsp ground cumin
09 - 1 tsp chili powder
10 - 1 tbsp avocado oil
11 - 1 tsp garlic powder

→ Pasta

12 - 1.5 lb short pasta shells, rotini, or elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

13 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
15 - 2 cups chicken broth
16 - 1 cup heavy cream
17 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

# Instructions:

01 - Dice the red onion, mince garlic, and cut bacon into 1.3 cm pieces. Begin boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
02 - In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
03 - In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat avocado oil. Add diced onions and minced garlic; cook for 3 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef, ground cumin, and chili powder; crumble and cook until no longer pink.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes and drained corn. Reduce heat to low and let simmer gently while preparing remaining components.
05 - Cook pasta in boiling water following package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Return to pot off the heat.
06 - In a clean saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic powder. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cook for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Stir in diced jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese until sauce is smooth and melted.
07 - Add crispy bacon, meat and vegetable mixture, and cheese sauce to the pasta in the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all elements evenly.

# Notes:

01 - Rinsing pasta with cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and prevents over-softening.

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