Chili Dog Mac and Cheese

Name: Chili Dog Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Southern Recipes, Tex-Mex, American
Ingredients: 1 lb Beef Hot Dog; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 0.13 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 3 tbsp Chili Powder; 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes; 1 cup Diced Green Bell Pepper; 1 whole Diced Onion; 0.5 tsp Dried Oregano; 1 bunch Green Onion; 1 lb Ground Beef; 0.13 tsp Ground Cinnamon; 2 tsp Ground Cumin; 2 cups Macaroni; 4 cloves Minced Garlic; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 2 tsp Salt & Pepper; 8 oz Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese; 8 oz Shredded White Cheddar Cheese; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 2.5 cups Water

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Southern Recipes 🇺🇸Tex-Mex 🇺🇸🇲🇽American High-Protein 💪Halal 🕌Comfort-Food

Chili Dog Mac and Cheese layers spiced beef-and-hot-dog chili with tender elbows and a melty blend of white Cheddar and Monterey Jack. The result is saucy, smoky, and gently fiery, with a bubbly browned top and gooey pockets throughout. It’s a fun, crowd-pleasing bake for game day, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner.

Prep20 mins
Cook1 hr 20 mins
Serves12
DifficultyMedium

1

Add olive oil to a large pot and place over high heat. Add beef; cook and stir, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, for about 2 minutes. Add onions and salt, and cook, stirring, until the beef is crumbly and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
2

Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cinnamon, cayenne, dried oregano, and garlic. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
3

Add peppers, sliced hot dogs, crushed tomatoes, and water. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until done to your liking, at least 30 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
4

When the chili is nearly ready, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Stir in the macaroni and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute less than the package directions, until not quite tender and still firm to the bite, about 8 to 11 minutes.
5

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
6

Turn off the heat under the chili, drain the macaroni, and add it to the pot of chili. Stir to combine, then transfer the mixture to a large, deep 9x13-inch baking dish.
7

Mix the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses together in a bowl, and transfer about 60% of the cheese to the top of the chili mixture. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix the cheese into the casserole.
8

Spread the remaining cheese evenly over the top, and gently press it into the surface with the tip of a spoon.
9

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving, topped with green onions.