Tex Mex Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry whole wheat penne (or rotini or elbows)
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
• a few grinds of black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper (or regular chili powder)
• 1/8 – 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (depending on heat preference)
• 1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/2 cup shredded 2% sharp cheddar cheese (or monterey jack or jalapeno cheddar)
• 1/2 of a 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 Tbsp of your favorite salsa for garnish, optional
• chopped cilantro for garnish, optional