Hotdog Carbonara Cheater
A fun, kid-friendly twist on a classic Italian dish, using hotdogs and cream for a quick and easy weeknight meal that's guaranteed to please.
Creamy Hotdog Pasta (Mac-n-Dogs)
Take a trip down memory lane with this delightful mash-up of two childhood favorites: macaroni and cheese and hot dogs. This recipe brings them together in a single, creamy, and utterly satisfying dish that appeals to both kids and adults alike. It's the ultimate comfort food, guaranteed to bring smiles to the dinner table. Best of all, this Mac-n-Dogs recipe is incredibly simple to make and uses common pantry staples.
It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal without the fuss. The simple cheese sauce is rich and velvety, perfectly coating every piece of pasta and sliced hot dog.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups Whole Milk
- 8 Hot Dogs sliced into 1/2-inch coins
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 lb (16 oz) Elbow Macaroni uncooked
- 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
Method
10m20m30m
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced hot dogs to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and heated through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the hot dogs from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until it has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Slowly stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked macaroni and the browned hot dogs to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine everything until the pasta and hot dogs are fully coated.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
For an extra cheesy dish, feel free to top with more shredded cheese and melt it under the broiler for a minute or two before serving.
You can use any small pasta shape you have on hand. Shells, rotini, or ditalini all work wonderfully.
A pinch of mustard powder or smoked paprika added to the cheese sauce will add a lovely depth of flavour.
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