Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs (Print View)

Creamy mac and cheese meets juicy hot dogs in soft slider buns, creating a rich, mouthwatering shareable snack.

# Components:

→ Macaroni and Cheese Base

01 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

→ Hot Dog Component

09 - 6 beef or chicken hot dogs, halved lengthwise

→ Slider Assembly

10 - 12 slider buns or small dinner rolls
11 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

→ Optional Garnishes

14 - 1 cup crispy fried onions or breadcrumbs
15 - 2 tablespoons ketchup or mustard

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Slowly whisk in milk and cook, stirring, until thickened (approximately 2–3 minutes).
05 - Stir in cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until the sauce is smooth and melted.
06 - Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly to ensure even coating.
07 - Place hot dog halves in a skillet over medium heat and sauté for 3–4 minutes, turning frequently to brown all sides.
08 - Slice slider buns and arrange the bottom halves on a lined baking sheet.
09 - Top each bun bottom with a hot dog half, followed by a generous portion of the prepared mac and cheese.
10 - If using, sprinkle crispy fried onions or breadcrumbs over the mac and cheese, then add a drizzle of ketchup or mustard.
11 - Place the top halves of the slider buns onto each assembled slider. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley.
12 - Bake the sliders in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and the filling is heated through.
13 - Serve the sliders warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients you probably have on hand
  • Crowd-pleasing and kid approved
  • Ready in under an hour
  • Irresistible combo of creamy mac and cheese with juicy hot dogs
  • Easily doubles for a crowd
02 -
  • Packed with calcium and protein from cheese and milk
  • Fun way to use up leftover hot dogs or macaroni
  • Sliders can be assembled ahead then baked just before serving
  • The cheese sauce is my favorite part sometimes I double it and let the extra drip over the edges This was always my dad’s favorite snack for movie nights we would make a messy tray and eat them hot right out of the oven
03 -
  • Always use freshly shredded cheese to guarantee a velvety sauce Pre shredded varieties have starches that cause clumping
  • Let the hot dogs get nicely browned in the skillet for a juicy bite
  • Brushing the buns with butter and garlic before baking is not extra it is essential for flavor and crunch

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