Heat broiler to high. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Core, deseed, and dice green pepper into ½-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic.

Place smoky red pepper crema in a small bowl. Add water 1 tsp at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain.

While pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium, preferably ovenproof, pan (use a large, preferably ovenproof, pan for 4 servings) over medium heat. Add green pepper and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until softened, 4-5 minutes.

Add Southwest Spice Blend, scallion whites, garlic, and 2 TBSP butter (3 TBSP for 4); cook, stirring, until butter has melted and scallion whites are softened, 1 minute.

Add beef* to pan along with green pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. Cook through the rest of this step as instructed.

Stir flour into pan until smooth and incorporated, 1 minute. Gradually stir in ½ cup water (¾ cup for 4 servings) until fully combined.

Add cream cheese and cook, stirring, until fully incorporated and sauce has thickened, 1-2 minutes.

Turn off heat; stir in cheddar until melted and smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Stir drained cavatappi into pan with sauce until coated. Taste and season with salt if needed. If mixture is too thick, add a splash more water. TIP: If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture now to a baking dish.

Using your hands, crush tortilla chips and evenly sprinkle over mac ’n’ cheese. Top with an even layer of Mexican cheese blend.

Broil until cheese melts, 2-3 minutes. TIP: Watch carefully to avoid burning.

Divide mac ’n’ cheese between bowls; drizzle with smoky red pepper crema. Top with scallion greens and as much hot sauce as you like. Serve.