Mama's Recipe
CHEDDAR, MOZZARELLA, GRILLED HOT DOG
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Ingredients
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Mac & Cheese Base
Cheeses
Hot Dogs & Toppings
Finish & Bake (optional broil)
Method
Mac & Cheese Base
- 1
Cook pasta
Bring 6 cups water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the 3 cups elbow macaroni. Cook until just shy of al dente (about 7–8 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- 2
Make roux
In the same pot over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter. Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the raw flour smell cooks off but the roux stays pale.
- 3
Make cheese sauce
Slowly whisk in 2 cups whole milk, making sure no lumps form. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon (or yellow) mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Taste and add salt to taste. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in up to 1/4–1/2 cup reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- 4
Add cheeses
Lower heat to low. Remove the pot from direct heat and stir in 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup shredded mozzarella in two additions, stirring until melted and smooth. Return to very low heat briefly if needed to fully melt, but avoid boiling the sauce once cheese has been added (to prevent graininess).
- 5
Combine pasta and sauce
Fold the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Keep warm on the lowest heat setting while you prepare the hot dogs and finish the dish.
Hot Dogs & Assembly
- 6
Grill hot dogs
Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill surface with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Grill the 4 hot dogs, turning occasionally, until they are evenly browned and heated through, about 6–8 minutes. For grill marks, press lightly and rotate during cooking. If you prefer, split the dogs lengthwise for more contact with the pan and a crisper exterior.
- 7
Toast buns (optional)
If using buns, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place buns cut-side down and toast until golden, 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- 8
Assemble MAMA'S
Spoon a generous portion of the hot mac & cheese into each bowl or onto a plate (about 1 to 1 1/4 cups per serving). Place one grilled hot dog across the top of each portion of mac & cheese. If serving in buns, tuck the hot dog in the bun and top with mac & cheese, or serve mac & cheese alongside the hot dog.
Finish & Serve
- 9
Optional bake for bubbly top
If you want a browned bubbly top, preheat the broiler to high. Transfer mac & cheese to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle 1 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan and a light drizzle of butter over the top, and broil 2–3 inches from the heat for 2–3 minutes until golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 10