Smokey Joes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef (90% or higher)
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon dried chipotle powder (or 1/4 tsp. Mrs Dash Chipotle Seasoning Blend -this is what I used)
1/4 cup ketchup
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green pepper and onion, undrained
6 hamburger buns (I used whole wheat)
6 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or any cheese you like)
1 dill pickle, cut into long thin slices (optional)

Preparation

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (adding a spray of cooking spray or a drop of olive oil if needed to prevent sticking).
Brown the beef until no longer pink, draining fat.
Add onions and garlic and saute along with the drained beef for about 2 minutes, to cook the onions.
Add cumin, chili powder, and Mrs Dash Chipotle seasoning and cook about 30 seconds.
Lower heat a bit, add ketchup, canned tomatoes with their liquid and cook about 6 minutes, or until liquid has absorbed.
Taste for seasonings and add more chipotle blend if you prefer (I like it spicy so I added more).
Spoon cooked mixture onto buns and top each with a couple of pickle slices and a slice of cheese.
NOTE: If you are subbing beans for half of the meat,drained them & rinse them and add then when you add the tomatoes.