Chili Con Queso Pasta Bake

Originally, this was a Rachael Ray recipe, but I changed it up some, and the outcome was delicious! It's, also, not too, too bad for you, which is always a plus.

INGREDIENTS:
1.5 lb lean ground beef or sirloin
1 yellow onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp coriander
1 box (approximately 8 servings) of whole wheat pasta I used medium shells. Also, you could use penne, bowtie, elbow - anything like that.
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Cups 2% milk
1/4 Cup fresh cilantro or 2 Tbsp dried
1/4 Cup fresh parsley or 2 Tbsp dried
2-2.5 Cups 2% sharp chedder, shredded
1 Can of fire-roasted, diced tomatoes
Black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook beef until almost completely browned
2. When beef gets to that point, add onion, jalapeno and garlic to skillet; cook until onions are clear
3. Cook pasta as box instructs - a little bit past "al dente"
4. While beef and pasta are going, melt butter in medium-size pot on stove over medium heat
5. Add flour to completely melted butter and stir w/ a whisk til blended well
6. Add milk and whisk w/ flour/butter
7. When onions in beef skillet are clear, drain and add chili powder, coriander and cumin; stir well and remove from heat
8. Preheat broiler on high and move rack to the next-to-bottom level
9. Pasta should be finished by now; remove from heat and drain it
10. When milk begins to bubble, add cheese and stir w/ milk til melted
*Don't use your whisk for this step. A wooden utensil is best. 11. When cheese is melted, add cilantro, parsley, black pepper and tomatoes; stir
12. Combine pasta, beef mixture and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl; stir together well
13. Pour contents of bowl evenly into a large glass baking dish
14. Sprinkle the top w/ a light amount of cheese (optional)
15. Put dish in oven and broil until the top is browned - about 5 minutes

Let the dish set for about 2-3 minutes. It won't need to cool very long, since it's not baked, and everything was still warm when combined. Serve alone or with a small salad.

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Next time I make this dish, I might add another jalepeno and another can of tomatoes, or I might even use rotel instead of the fire-roasted.

Please comment if you make this dish, and definitely let me know if you add your own flair! Have fun with it. ENJOY.