Taco Pasta Toss – Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound penne rigate pasta, regular or whole grain
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1 pound ground beef sirloin
• 1 large onion, chopped, divided
• 1 large jalapeño pepper, halved, seeded if desired and thinly sliced crosswise
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chili powder (about 2 palmfuls)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (about 1/2 palmful)
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander (about a palmful)
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• One bottle beer (12 ounces) or 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack or any Mexican semi-soft cheese
• 2 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 head iceberg letuce or 1/2 small heart of romaine lettuce, chopped