Description
This Loaded Chili Cheese Dog Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish combining classic comfort foods: pasta, chili, cheese, and sliced hot dogs. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe features a creamy chili cheese sauce that coats tender elbow macaroni and browned hot dog slices, topped with crunchy tortilla chips and fresh green onions for an extra pop of texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
Hot Dogs & Aromatics
- 1 lb hot dogs, sliced into rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 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
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 be combined later with the sauce.
- Cook Hot Dogs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced hot dogs and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5 minutes. 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. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make Chili Cheese Sauce: Stir in the can of chili, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, ketchup, and mustard (if using). Cook and stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta & Hot Dogs: Add the cooked pasta and browned hot dogs back into the skillet with the chili cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with chopped green onions and optionally sprinkled with crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy texture.
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with any pasta shape you prefer such as penne or shells.
- For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chili cheese sauce.
- Using chili without beans will create a smoother sauce, but beans add more texture and heartiness.
- Crushed tortilla chips add great crunch but can be omitted for a gluten-free option if using gluten-free pasta and chips.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
