Tex-Mex Cavatappi

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 2 cups (one 16-ounce jar) chunky tomato salsa
• 3/4 pound cavatappi
• 2 teaspoons lime juice or red-wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley
• 6 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
• Lime wedges for serving (optional)

1. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add the salsa and simmer over low heat to allow the flavors to combine, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the cavatappi until just done, about 13 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce, lime juice, cilantro, and 1 cup of the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and serve with wedges of lime if you like.
3. Salsa Selection: There are several brands of salsa on the market today. Choose according to your taste (mild, medium, or hot) and pick one of high quality; the finished dish will only be as good as your salsa. A smoked-chile variety would be a delicious possibility to try.
4. Wine Recommendation: The spiciness of the salsa and chili powder combined with the acidity of the lime make a very high-acid white wine an obvious choice. We favor a sauvignon blanc from California.

cooking oil, ground beef, chili powder, salt, freshground black pepper, tomato salsa, cavatappi, lime juice, cilantro, cheddar cheese, serving

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tex-mex-cavatappi (may not work)