Description
This Loaded Chili Cheese Dog Pasta is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender elbow macaroni, savory hot dogs, and a rich chili cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it boasts layers of flavor with sautéed onions, garlic, and optional ketchup and mustard for an extra tang. Topped with green onions and crunchy tortilla chips, this pasta dish delivers a playful twist on classic chili dogs.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 1 lb hot dogs, sliced into rounds
Sauté and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) chili with or without beans
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon ketchup (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Toppings
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish)
- ½ cup crushed tortilla chips (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook Hot Dogs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced hot dogs and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are nicely browned. Remove the hot dogs from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make Chili Cheese Sauce: Stir in the canned chili, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, ketchup, and mustard if using. Cook while stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta & Hot Dogs: Return the browned hot dogs to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Stir everything together gently to coat the pasta and hot dogs evenly with the chili cheese sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with chopped green onions and sprinkled with crushed tortilla chips for an added crunchy texture and flavor contrast.
Notes
- Use your preferred type of pasta; elbow macaroni works best for a classic texture.
- For a spicier version, use chili with beans that has some heat or add a pinch of chili powder.
- Ketchup and mustard are optional but add a nice tang reminiscent of a classic chili dog.
- If you want a creamier sauce, add a bit more milk gradually while cooking.
- Crushed tortilla chips add a delightful crunch but can be omitted for a softer texture.
