Description
Loaded Chili Cheese Dog Pasta is a comforting and flavorful American main dish that combines pasta with a spicy chili-flavored ground beef and hot dog mixture, topped with melted cheddar cheese. This easy weeknight dinner is kid-friendly and perfect for those craving a cheesy, hearty meal with a fun twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (elbow, penne, or rotini)
Meat and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ cup beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 6 hot dogs, sliced into rounds
Toppings
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Optional: pickled jalapeños or sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be combined later.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary to reduce fat content.
- Season and build the sauce: Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth or water, yellow mustard, and ketchup. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add hot dogs: Incorporate the sliced hot dogs into the sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Stir in the cooked pasta until it is fully coated with the chili cheese hot dog sauce.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover the pan and let it sit off the heat for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Serve: Dish out the pasta warm, garnishing with sliced green onions. Add optional pickled jalapeños or a dollop of sour cream if desired for extra kick and creaminess.
Notes
- You can use your favorite brand of hot dogs or substitute with turkey or veggie dogs for different dietary preferences.
- For extra spice, add cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- This dish reheats well and can be made ahead of time for easy meal prep.
