Creamy Hot Dog Pasta (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Components
01 -
1 pound elbow macaroni, uncooked
02 -
1 pound hot dogs, cut into slices
03 -
1/4 cup unsalted butter
→ Cheese Sauce
04 -
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
05 -
2 cups whole milk
06 -
1 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
07 -
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
08 -
4 ounces cream cheese
→ Seasonings
09 -
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
10 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 -
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by heating your oven to 400°F. While it's warming up, get a large pot of salted water boiling and cook your elbow macaroni following the package instructions until it's just tender. Once done, drain the pasta well and set it aside for now.
02 -
Grab a large saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Toss in your sliced hot dogs and let them sizzle for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they get a nice light golden color. Use a slotted spoon to scoop them out and keep them warm on the side.
03 -
Using the same pan with all that delicious butter, sprinkle in the flour and whisk it around until everything's smooth and combined. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking, then bring everything to a gentle simmer. Keep whisking every now and then as it thickens up, which should take about 3-4 minutes. When it's nice and creamy, remove from heat and stir in both types of cheddar cheese, the cream cheese, salt, pepper, and mustard powder. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is silky smooth.
04 -
Add your cooked macaroni and browned hot dog slices into the cheese sauce. Stir everything together really well so every piece of pasta and hot dog gets coated in that creamy goodness.
05 -
Pour the whole mixture into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pop it in your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling away and the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Let it cool for a couple minutes before serving.
# Notes:
01 -
This is pure comfort food that's perfect for a cozy night in front of the TV.
02 -
The combination of mild and sharp cheddar with cream cheese creates an incredibly creamy sauce.
03 -
You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking - just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.