Chili Cheese Dog Mac (Printable)

Creamy macaroni mixed with chili, cheese sauce, and hot dog slices baked to a savory finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper
09 - ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

→ Chili

10 - ½ lb ground beef
11 - ½ medium onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tsp chili powder
15 - ½ tsp ground cumin
16 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
17 - 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
18 - ½ cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Hot Dogs

20 - 4 classic hot dogs, sliced into ½ inch pieces

→ Toppings (optional)

21 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
22 - Jalapeño slices
23 - Extra shredded cheddar cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add diced tomatoes and kidney beans to the skillet. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes.
06 - Remove sauce from heat. Stir in sharp cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
07 - In a large bowl, combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, chili, and sliced hot dogs. Mix thoroughly.
08 - Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Add extra shredded cheddar on top if desired.
09 - Bake for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
10 - Garnish with sliced green onions and jalapeño slices before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Combines two classic comfort foods in one dish
  • Easy to make and ideal for feeding a crowd
02 -
  • Contains common allergens such as dairy wheat and processed meats
  • You can easily substitute turkey or plant based hot dogs to adjust for diet preferences
03 -
  • For extra crunch, top with crushed tortilla chips before baking
  • Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to set for easy serving
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