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You are here: Home / Budget Friendly / Budget Friendly Meals: Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

Budget Friendly Meals: Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

By Chris Cockren 50 Comments

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone, as is this creative and budget-friendly summer grilling recipe for Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs!

Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

Ah, summer meals.  It's a time to kick back, relax, and get a little bit crazy.  For Asheley, that means hot dogs and roasted marshmallows for days.  She would literally be content to feast on simple dinners consistenting solely of hot dogs schmeared generously with mustard every single day if she could.

It has to be with mustard.  A lot of mustard.  Not dijon.  Not spicy brown.  Just regular yellow mustard.  No exceptions.

Now I love me a good hot dog as well, but I prefer to get a little more wacky and creative in my approach.  I've been loving these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Hot Dogs lately (and I've even gotten my mom on board with those hot dogs, a self-professed hot dog hater), but now it's time to step it up a notch.

Whenever my 3-year-old niece comes over for dinner, she always feasts on one of those Kraft macaroni and cheese single-serving dinner cups.  She never eats the whole thing, so her father (and my older brother) waits patiently until she's done so he can devour the rest.  Not gonna lie, I'm always a bit jealous.  Because really, who doesn't love mac n' cheese?!

And that got me thinking... why should kids have all the fun?  It's good enough for the whole family... small kids and big kids (like myself) alike.  Your family is totally going to love these Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs, because hello... they are macaroni and cheese topped hot dogs.  Duh.

Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

One of the great things about being a teacher... summer vacation.  I don't want to keep rubbing it in and all, but these 2 months off are pure bliss.  I literally don't even know what day it is today.  Monday?  Thursday?  Who cares... I'm off πŸ™‚

Here's the dangerous part of being on summer vacation for 2 months.  You get a little loosey-goosey with spending.  A little treat there. A splurge here.  Going out with friends a whole heck of a lot.  And then you look at your bank account and wonder...  did someone steal my identity and get access to my bank account?!  No, no they didn't Chris.  You just love spending a little bit too much money in the summer.

And maybe you have similiar financial constraints come the 1st and 15th of the month, when your budget gets mighty tight. Luckily budget friendly meals like these macaroni and cheese topped hot dogs totally come in handy when summer finances get a little tight πŸ™‚

Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

Oh heck yes...

macaroni-and-cheese-topped-hot-dog

 

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Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs

Budget Friendly Meals: Macaroni and Cheese Topped Hot Dogs


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 hot dogs
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • 2 (2.05 ounce) containers Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner Cups (or about 2 cups prepared macaroni & cheese)
  • Β½ cup Kraft ranch dressing
  • 3 tablespoons Kraft barbecue sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill hot dogs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until hot dog is cooked through and charred in spots.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare macaroni & cheese according to package directions.
  3. In a separate small bowl, combine ranch dressing with barbecue sauce.
  4. Assemble by placing hot dogs in buns, topping each with about Β½ cup prepared macaroni & cheese, and drizzle with barbecue ranch sauce. Devour immediately.
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins

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Walmart - Kraft products

An easy way to save a few bucks?  Look for Kraft items on rollback at your local Walmart.  #RollIntoSavings #CollectiveBias

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen

    July 07, 2014 at 5:52 am

    I am learning all sorts about American food reading your blog, Chris! Mmm ... I could definitely eat one of these as a little (almost) midnight snack! Glad to hear you're enjoying your vacation. I love that feeling when you lose track of the days! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 2:01 pm

      These would be a perfect midnight snack indeed Helen!

      Reply
  2. Melanie

    July 07, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Sounds like you're enjoying yourself a little too much there buddy. πŸ˜‰ JK. Enjoy every moment. You deserve it.
    My kids would devour these dogs in a jiffy.
    Have a marvelous week!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks so much Melanie πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Liz

    July 07, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Now this is definitely kid friendly food! I've never thought of piling the mac and cheese on a hot dog, but I bet it's darned tasty!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Hahaha darn tasty they are!

      Reply
  4. Kathy

    July 07, 2014 at 4:34 pm

    I am seriously jealous of your time off. πŸ™‚ Enjoy every moment. Lucky! My husband would totally destroy these hot dogs.

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks so much Kathy! You should totally surprise your husband with these one night... he'd love you forever πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Taylor

    July 08, 2014 at 3:08 am

    WHAT?! Mac and cheese on a hot dog. This is incr-EDIBLE (had to!) I have a serious secret love for KD, so I am gonna face plant into this right now! πŸ˜€ pinned!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Haha I'm all for face planting πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Mike

    July 08, 2014 at 4:48 am

    Looks good my man, I might run a full triathlon on one of these Mac&Cheese Hot Dogs!
    And btw I'm such jealous of your 2 months vacation. I honestly don't think it's fair...but who am I to judge?

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Hahaha I probably should run a full triathlon after all the hot dogs I've eaten in the past week. You'll just have to do them for me πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  7. Olivia - Primavera Kitchen

    July 08, 2014 at 7:11 am

    Mac and cheese on a hot dog??? I can’t believe I’ve never considered making anything comparable. Thank you for sharing πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:34 pm

      Hahaha well now you totally have to πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. Ashley

    July 08, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Oh man this is my sister's dream meal right here! Combining two of her favorite foods - mac and cheese and hot dogs! I love it!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Hahahaha sounds like you have a great sister lol

      Reply
  9. Jessica

    July 08, 2014 at 8:17 am

    My nieces would love these hot dogs!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      You totally should be a great aunt and make 'em for them πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  10. Christine

    July 08, 2014 at 10:30 am

    good god this is like the bbq meal of my childhood dreams!! so creative yet simple, love this Chris!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 08, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      Hahaha exactly Christine πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Cindy

    July 08, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    We too have been having lots of fun and spending way too much money. It's summer, live it up!
    Hotdogs are a favorite here and I like them just like your wife. Plain with regular yellow mustard and a side of mustard.
    Very creative dish. Gonna give this a try. I'm thinking the kids will love it

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:25 am

      Exactly! Summer is all about living it up! Hahaha you and my wife should be mustard friends.

      Reply
  12. Kelly

    July 08, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    Haha enjoy your time off Chris - totally well deserved πŸ™‚ Mac and cheese on a hot dog? Sounds awesome and such a great idea!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:24 am

      Thanks so much Kelly!

      Reply
  13. Chelsea

    July 09, 2014 at 2:15 am

    This is seriously the BEST idea ever! I love mac and cheese and I love hot dogs and all in one?! Plus budget friendly? All over this one!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:24 am

      Thanks Chelsea! It's simple but mighty tasty πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Jess

    July 09, 2014 at 5:36 am

    I've honestly never seen mac 'n' cheese served on top of a hot dog! But this looks so good- the ultimate comfort food, for sure! I wish they cooked this kind of food over here! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:24 am

      It sure is comfort food!

      Reply
  15. Pamela

    July 09, 2014 at 8:38 am

    You bad bad boy with this recipe. I love it. LOVE.

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Bad to the bone. Hahahaha

      Reply
  16. Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE

    July 09, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Chris this is just awesome! I mean, who has never had hot dogs in Mac N Cheese before??! I used to do it all the time (and peas too!) Why not add the Mac N Cheese to the hot dog! Totally craving this now!! Might have to whip this up for dinner one night real soon! Thanks, Chris! Another fabulous recipe!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Peas too?! That's ...interesting hahahaha.

      Reply
  17. Erin | The Law Student's Wife

    July 09, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Well if this isn't All-American, I don't know what is! Love the budget friendly aspect. I NEED that after our trip!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:23 am

      Hahaha you are so right! I hope you are enjoying every moment in France Erin! Loving all your travel updates πŸ™‚

      Reply
  18. Consuelo - Honey & Figs

    July 09, 2014 at 11:07 am

    Mac and cheese + hot dogs in just one dish?? You genius. These look mind-blowing! And I love how easy to make and unexpensive they are!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Hahaha thanks Consuelo! It's a great, cheap summer treat!

      Reply
  19. Bill

    July 09, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    You've gone way to far this time, Chris and I LOVE it! Mac and cheese on a hotdog=brilliant!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:21 am

      Hahaha thanks Bill. I like to go overboard sometimes πŸ™‚

      Reply
  20. GiGi Eats

    July 09, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    UGH! If only I came across this post 15 years ago when I COULD EAT THESE FOODS!!!!!!!! My taste buds are super envious!!!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:20 am

      I think you need to create a GiGi Eats version!!!

      Reply
  21. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps

    July 09, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Totally takes me back! <3 <3 <3

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:20 am

      Hahahaha yes!

      Reply
  22. Shashi

    July 11, 2014 at 9:34 am

    Chris - I think you are not just rubbing it in that you have two months off - I think you are really missing work πŸ˜‰ Well, I have a solution - I will take the rest of this time off and YOU can go to work for me - I know I have suggested this before but this time maybe you will fall for it - er I meant - make a wise decision!
    This is one heck of a budget friendly dish for sure!

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 11, 2014 at 10:12 am

      Hahahah I'm totally rubbing it in πŸ˜‰ Hahaha thanks for that very generous offer but I'll have to decline. I quite enjoy my time off πŸ™‚

      Reply
  23. Michelle

    July 11, 2014 at 11:54 am

    These look absolutely amazing. Sadly, neither of my children will eat mac and cheese, but I could so see doing this for a fun adult barbecue, too. And using the KRAFT items on rollback at Walmart to make it all more affordable? Even better #client

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 4:43 am

      Thanks Michelle! Your kids don't eat mac and cheese?! How can that be?! Oh well, all the more for the adults πŸ™‚

      Reply
  24. Tina

    July 15, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Um, what??? Mac n' cheese on a hot dog??? This makes me think you are some kind of diabolical culinary genius ;p

    Reply
    • Chris

      July 18, 2014 at 1:28 am

      Hahaha thanks Tina πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  25. Annie

    July 22, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    great to experience !

    Reply
  26. Claudia

    August 01, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    Consequently delectable! That seems irresistible!

    Reply

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