Comforting blend of macaroni, chili beef, cheese sauce, and sliced hot dogs baked until golden.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 ounces elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
09 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
→ Chili
10 - ½ pound ground beef
11 - ½ medium onion, finely chopped
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
16 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
17 - 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
18 - ½ cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
19 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Hot Dogs
20 - 4 classic hot dogs, sliced into ½ inch pieces
→ Toppings (optional)
21 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
22 - Jalapeño slices
23 - Extra shredded cheddar cheese
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add diced tomatoes and drained kidney beans to the skillet. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
05 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and simmer for about 3 minutes until thickened.
06 - Remove sauce from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
07 - In a large bowl, mix cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, chili, and sliced hot dogs thoroughly.
08 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Optionally, sprinkle extra shredded cheddar on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
09 - Garnish with sliced green onions and jalapeño slices before serving.
