Chili Dog Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion , diced
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt , plus more to taste
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 0.13 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.13 teaspoons cayenne pepper , or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoons dried oregano , preferably Mexican oregano
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 cup green peppers
• 1 pound hot dogs , sliced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes , 28 ounce
• 2.5 cups water
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 8 ounces white Cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• green onions , optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Add olive oil to a large pot and place over high heat. Add beef; cook and stir, breaking up with a spoon or spatula, about 2 minutes. Add onions and salt, and cook, stirring, until beef is crumbly, and onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cinnamon, cayenne, dried oregano, and garlic. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.

3. 3

   Add peppers, sliced hot dogs, crushed tomatoes, and water. Stir together; bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cooked to your taste, at least 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4. 4

   Once chili is nearly ready, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in macaroni and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 minute less than specified in package directions, until not quite tender, and still firm to the bite, about 8 to 11 minutes.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

6. 6

   Turn off heat under chili, drain macaroni, and add to the pot of chili. Stir until combined, and transfer mixture into a large, deep 9x13-inch baking dish.

7. 7

   Mix Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses together in a bowl, and transfer about 60% of cheese to top of chili mixture. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix cheese into the casserole.

8. 8

   Apply remaining cheese evenly over the top, and lightly poke down into the surface with the tip of a spoon.

9. 9

   Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving, topped with green onions.