Cowboy Pasta Salad

Name: Cowboy Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces small elbow pasta; 2 lbs ground beef; 1/3 cup taco seasoning; 1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces; 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved; 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped, about 1/3 cup; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch matchsticks; optional: jarred sliced jalapenos; 1 cup lightly flavored olive oil; 1/2 cup juice from jar of sliced jalapenos; 1/4-1/2 cup sliced jarred jalapenos, minced; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, about 3 small limes worth ((plain white vinegar may be substituted to taste)); 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, adjust to taste; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper