Baked Cheesy Mac Dog Casserole

Well, here we are, knee-deep in the second week of school.  Things definitely aren't smooth sailing yet, and we're still very much in an adjustment period.  Emmy is thriving and absolutely loving her class, but it's me who's struggling.  It's just really hard to get back into the swing of things after a relaxing lazy summer.

For months we had all been sleeping in till 8:30, taking our time getting ready, and leisurely planning out our day.  We ate a later dinner since bedtime could be a little more lax.  If I was ever stumped for meal planning, we'd just throw some burgers and hotdogs on the grill and call it a day.

But now all of that is different.  We're all up and getting ready by 6:30 am.  There's lunch to be made...papers to sign...cuddly toys to remember.  And that's all before we drop Emmy off at 8:00.  The rest of the day is spent in a mad dash to get all the things done while Emmy is at school.  Once we get her and get home around 2:30, I'm exhausted.

But no rest for the weary.  Then it's on to playing, homework {letter recognition flash cards}, snacks and attempting to make something for dinner.  It's hard.

I want something relatively quick, easy, and uses wholesome ingredients.  Being able to prep it before hand is a plus too.  Also, it has to be something my kids will eat.  So far my go-to meal has been is a little something I threw together called:

Baked Cheesy Mac Dog Casserole {which is basically mac and cheese with hot dogs in it}

Ingredients
One package of hotdogs {mine had seven I think in it}
One box of pasta {most of the time I use elbow macaroni, but I just used what I had}
4 Tbsp Country Crock Spread
4 Tbsp flour
2 cups of milk {I used 2% just because it's what we had}
1/4 tsp dry mustard
Sprinkle of salt
Large sprinkle of black pepper
Very large sprinkle of garlic powder
3 cups of sharp cheddar cheese shredded {I bought the already shredded kind...saves time!}

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350*

Boil water and add in pasta.

Cook pasta until al dente.  Drain and set aside.

Cut up hotdogs into little pieces.  Cook in a little bit of oil.

 Cook for 5-7 minutes until just browned.

Drain hotdogs onto a paper towel-covered plate.

Add Country Crock Spread into a sauce pan.

Melt spread over medium/high heat.

Add in flour, mix until incorporated, and let cook for just a minute.

Pour in milk.

Whisk together milk, butter, and flour until all incorporated.  Keep whisking until sauce starts to thicken.

Add in pepper, salt, mustard, and garlic.  Use as much or as little as you prefer.

Lower the heat and mix in the cheese.

Stir until all the cheese is melted.

Pour pasta into a casserole dish.

Next mix in the hotdogs.

Pour cheese sauce over top and mix together.

Put into pre-heated over and bake for 20 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.