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Hot Dog Spaghetti is the goofy, budget friendly dinner my kids cheer for, with sliced hot dogs simmered into a rich parmesan tomato sauce and piled over noodles for the ultimate fun weeknight meal. If your family loves easy pasta nights, you will also want our best spaghetti and meatballs.
It uses pantry staples and a pack of hot dogs to feed the whole family for just a few dollars.
Hot Dog Spaghetti Quick Look
- 🕐 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🍴 Cook Time: 70 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 80 minutes
- 🍽 Serving: 6 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 532kcal
- 🌶 Flavor Profile: Savory, cheesy, comforting tomato sauce
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our easy chow mein with ramen noodles
Quick Answer
To make Hot Dog Spaghetti, sear sliced hot dogs in olive oil in a Dutch oven. Stir in tomato sauce, parmesan, oregano, basil, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder, then simmer covered on low for about an hour. Cook spaghetti separately, taste the sauce and season with salt, then serve the sauce over the noodles with extra parmesan.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Lightly searing the hot dog slices adds extra flavor and texture. The 1/2-inch hot dog slices are cooked in olive oil over medium heat until lightly browned before the sauce ingredients are added. This gives the cut sides a little color and texture instead of simply warming the hot dogs in the tomato sauce. Stir them often so the slices brown evenly without sticking or becoming overly dark.
- A full hour of simmering gives the sauce time to develop. After the hot dogs are seared, tomato sauce, Parmesan, oregano, basil, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder go into the same pot. The sauce simmers covered over low heat for 1 hour, with occasional stirring, so it can thicken and the savory hot dog flavor can blend into the seasoned tomato base.
- Parmesan and Italian seasonings make this more than plain tomato sauce. Grated Parmesan adds salty, savory richness, while oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder build a familiar pasta-sauce flavor. A small amount of granulated sugar balances the tomato sauce without making the finished dish noticeably sweet.
- Cooking the spaghetti separately protects its texture. The noodles are prepared according to the package directions while the sauce simmers, then the hot dog sauce is served over them. Keeping the spaghetti out of the pot during the long simmer prevents it from becoming overly soft and lets everyone choose how much sauce they want on their serving.
- Waiting until the end to add salt prevents overseasoning. Hot dogs and Parmesan can both bring plenty of salt to the sauce, so the recipe waits until after simmering before tasting and adding more. This gives you better control over the final seasoning, especially since the salt level can change depending on the hot dog and Parmesan brands used.
- A pinch of sugar balances the acidity. It rounds out the canned tomato sauce so it tastes slow simmered.
- Cooking the noodles separately keeps them from turning mushy in the sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Budget friendly and feeds a family of six for just a few dollars.
- Kid approved, since what kid does not love hot dogs and spaghetti together?
- Mostly hands off, much like our classic spaghetti and meatballs that simmers low and slow.
Key Ingredients
- Hot dogs: Sliced into coins; use your favorite beef or all beef franks.
- Tomato sauce: The base of the sauce; a smooth canned sauce works great.
- Parmesan cheese: Stirred in for savory, nutty richness.
- Italian seasonings: Oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder build the flavor.
- Spaghetti: Cooked separately and topped with the hearty sauce.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the franks: Use turkey dogs, beef franks, or even smoked sausage.
- Add veggies: Stir in sauteed onion, bell pepper, or mushrooms.
- Make it cheesy: Top with shredded mozzarella and broil for a minute.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- More family dinners: Try our slow cooker Mississippi beef cubed steaks.
How to Make Hot Dog Spaghetti
- Add the oil to a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced hot dogs and sear them, stirring often, until lightly browned.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, parmesan, oregano, basil, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and simmer covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. While it simmers, cook the spaghetti per the package directions.
- Taste the sauce and add salt if needed, then serve immediately over the noodles with more parmesan if desired.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Sear, do not boil, the hot dogs for the best flavor and a little texture.
- Simmer low and slow so the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
- Salt at the end since hot dogs and parmesan are already salty.
- Cook noodles separately and toss with a little oil so they do not stick.
- Use a smooth tomato sauce for a classic texture, or crushed tomatoes for more body.
- Save leftovers, the sauce tastes even better the next day.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Hot Dog Spaghetti is a complete comfort meal on its own, but it is even better as part of a casual family dinner spread. Pile the saucy hot dogs over a nest of noodles and shower it with extra parmesan.
If you are building a whole menu around it, our hot dog sauce recipe is a natural companion on the table.
Round it out with a simple green salad, some cheese stuffed breadsticks, or a side of garlic bread to soak up the sauce. For another cozy noodle night, try our easy chow mein with ramen noodles.
Leftovers reheat beautifully, so make a big batch and enjoy it for lunch the next day.
Hot Dog Spaghetti FAQs
Hot Dog Spaghetti is a fun, budget friendly dinner of sliced hot dogs simmered in a seasoned parmesan tomato sauce and served over spaghetti noodles. It is a kid favorite that comes together with simple pantry staples.
Use your favorite hot dogs or all-beef franks. The recipe works with the brand your family already enjoys, and the hot dogs are sliced into 1/2-inch rounds before cooking. Turkey dogs or smoked sausage can also be used as variations, although they will change the flavor of the finished sauce.
Yes. The hot dog and tomato sauce can be prepared ahead and reheated when you are ready to eat. For the best noodle texture, cook the spaghetti closer to serving rather than leaving it mixed with the sauce for an extended period. Warm the sauce thoroughly, prepare the noodles according to the package directions, and serve them together.
Store leftover Hot Dog Spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave and serve over freshly cooked or reheated noodles.
Yes, freeze the cooled sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving over noodles.
Hot Dog Spaghetti pairs well with a green salad, garlic bread, or cheese stuffed breadsticks. Add extra parmesan on top for even more savory flavor.
Other Recommended Family Dinner Recipes
If you make this Hot Dog Spaghetti, please leave a star rating and a comment below. I love hearing how your family liked it, and it helps other readers find the recipe too!
Still filling out the menu? Readers love pairing this one with our homemade strawberry butter, ground turkey meat sauce, Skyline chili recipe, and crescent roll cinnamon rolls.
Hot Dog Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 15 ounces hot dogs 1/2 inch sliced
- 28 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles prepared per the package directions
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil once hot in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the hot dogs and get a light sear on them, stirring often.15 ounces hot dogs
- Stir in the tomato sauce, parmesan, oregano, basil, sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.28 ounces tomato sauce, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, make the noodles.1 pound spaghetti noodles
- Taste the sauce and add salt if needed.Salt to taste
- Serve immediately with the noodles and more parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Sear ‘Em Up – Get those hot dog bites golden in the olive oil—they’ll taste like little champs!
- Simmer Slow – Cook the sauce on medium-low heat so it gets all friendly with the spices.
- Al Dente Noodles – Boil your spaghetti noodles per package instructions until al dente—no mushy messes here!
- Stir Gently – Use a wooden spoon so the hot dog pieces don’t turn into hot dog mush.
- Taste Check – Sneak a spoonful of the sauce—add salt or garlic powder if it needs a boost!
- Cheese Finish – Pile on extra parmesan cheese right before serving—it’s the best part of this kid’s meal!
Nutrition
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Thank you for the positive feedback about the scrolling – we did not like it either and found a way to make sure everyone did not have to any more. THANKY YOU!!!
Agree with Kyla, that was a great idea to retype the ingredient measurements with the instructions! No more scrolling back and forth. I guess my rating is about the instructions for now, but I was looking for this recipe for my picky eaters, so making this tonight! Also like the suggestion to brown the hot dogs first.
LOVE that you put the measurements in the written narrative instructions. THANK YOU! Making this for the fam tonight!