Description
π Enjoy the rich combination of creamy cheese and spicy chili in this hearty Chili Cheese Dog Mac casserole.
π§ This one-dish meal is perfect for family dinners, offering comforting flavors with satisfying textures from sausage, cheese, and pasta.
Ingredients
– 8 all-beef smoked sausages, halved and cut into 1-inch chunks
– 1 (30 oz) can chili with beans
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese for topping
– 3 chopped green onions for garnish
– 1 lb cavatappi pasta
– 4 tablespoons butter
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 4 tablespoons flour
– 2 cups milk
– 1 teaspoon ground mustard
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon pepper
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
– 3 minced garlic cloves
– Β½ cup honey
– Β½ cup ketchup
– 2 tablespoons chili powder
– 1 (9 oz) can tomato paste
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained
– 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
1-First, preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and get water boiling for the pasta. Cook 1 lb of cavatappi pasta as per the package instructions, then drain it and set it aside. While that’s happening, focus on making the mac and cheese sauce to coat your pasta perfectly.
2-Next, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of flour and cook for 2 minutes, then gradually add 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of ground mustard, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Keep whisking and cook for another 2 minutes before stirring in 1 cup of heavy cream and cooking for 2 more minutes.
3-Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and mix in 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it’s fully melted. Pour this over the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Now, transfer the mixture to a 13×9 inch baking dish, spoon on 1 (30 oz) can of chili with beans (or your homemade version), add 8 all-beef smoked sausages cut into chunks, and top with the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-Baking and Finishing Touches: Bake everything in the oven for about 15 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden. Finally, sprinkle 3 chopped green onions on top for a fresh garnish before serving. If you want to try another pasta dish, our meatloaf casserole recipe offers a tasty twist.
Notes
π Use smoked sausages or hot links for a meatier texture.
β³ Start the chili first if making homemade, as it requires longer simmering.
π₯ Serve with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, sautΓ©ing, and baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: Chili cheese dog mac, Cheesy casserole, Spicy chili pasta, Comfort food