This hot dog pasta recipe, also known in Brazil as macarrão com salsicha, is a creamy, comforting, and wonderfully simple dinner made with everyday ingredients. It is not fancy, and it does not need to be. This is the kind of quick family meal that comes together in about 20 minutes, uses pantry-friendly items, and delivers a rich, saucy bowl of pasta that kids and adults can both enjoy. Made in the Instant Pot or another electric pressure cooker, this easy hot dog pasta is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy dinners, and those evenings when you want something satisfying without much effort.
Why I Love This Hot Dog Pasta Recipe
Oi Gente!
Macarrão com salsicha, or Brazilian hot dog pasta, was one of the most exciting meals of my childhood. It was simple, creamy, and full of flavor, and it always felt like a special treat. Even though it is made with humble ingredients, it has a cozy, nostalgic charm that makes it hard to resist.
Growing up, my mom did not make hot dog pasta all the time because, understandably, she did not want us eating hot dog dinners every day. But when she did make it, it felt like a celebration. This dish often appeared at sleepovers, study groups, small birthday gatherings, and casual kid-friendly get-togethers. It was quick, affordable, and easy to make in a big batch, which made it perfect for feeding a group.
That is still one of the best things about this recipe. It is a fast and budget-friendly way to serve a hearty pasta dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. The sauce is creamy, the hot dogs make it fun and filling, and the olives add a salty bite that balances the richness of the dish.
This easy Instant Pot hot dog pasta is also ideal for nights when cooking feels like too much work. You chop a few ingredients, sauté the aromatics, add everything to the pot, and let the pressure cooker do the rest. In just a few minutes, you have a warm, creamy pasta dinner ready to serve.
It may not be elegant, but it is delicious, practical, and comforting. If you love easy pasta recipes, quick weeknight dinners, and family-friendly meals, this one deserves a spot in your rotation.
Bom Apetite!
What You’ll Need to Make This Hot Dog Pasta Recipe
One of the biggest advantages of this homemade hot dog pasta recipe is that it uses ingredients that are easy to find. You do not need anything complicated, and most of the items may already be in your kitchen. You will also need an Instant Pot or your preferred electric pressure cooker.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Hot dogs — sliced into bite-sized pieces.
- Butter — used to sauté the onion and garlic.
- Onion — yellow or white onion works best for this recipe.
- Garlic — freshly minced garlic gives the sauce better flavor. Brazilian sofrito can also be used.
- Short pasta — rotelle works well, but penne, cavatappi, macaroni, farfalle, fusilli, or other short pasta shapes can also be used.
- Marinara sauce — store-bought marinara is perfectly fine. Some brands are thicker than others, so you may need a little extra water if your sauce is very thick.
- Heavy cream — this makes the pasta creamy and rich.
- Olives — pitted and sliced olives add a savory flavor.
- Fresh parsley — added at the end for freshness.
- Parmesan cheese — optional, but a sprinkle on top makes the finished dish even better.
If you want to turn this into a hot dog pasta casserole, transfer the cooked pasta to an oven-safe dish, add parmesan or another cheese on top, and broil briefly until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
How to Make Hot Dog Pasta
Start by preparing all the ingredients. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, slice the hot dogs, chop the olives, and finely mince the parsley. If you are using parmesan cheese, grate it now so it is ready for serving.
Set the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker to sauté mode. Add the butter and let it melt. Once the butter has melted, add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. This should take about a minute. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two, stirring so it does not burn.
Turn off the sauté function. Add the sliced hot dogs, pasta, olives, and marinara sauce to the pot.
Pour the water into the empty marinara jar, close the lid, and shake it to loosen any sauce left inside. Pour that mixture into the pot along with the heavy cream. Stir everything well, making sure most of the pasta and ingredients are covered by liquid. This helps the pasta cook evenly and reduces the chance of a burn warning.
Close the lid and set the pot to manual mode for 6 minutes. When the cooking time is finished, carefully release the pressure manually. Open the lid, stir the pasta well, then add the parsley and stir again.
The pasta should be creamy, saucy, and ready to serve. If you like, finish each bowl with extra parsley and grated parmesan cheese.
That’s it. Your creamy hot dog pasta dinner is ready to enjoy.
This Recipe Will Be Great With
Brazilian Lemonade
Other Brazilian Recipes Your Kids Will Love
- Pão de Queijo – Brazilian Cheese Bread
- Brigadeiro – Brazilian Fudge Balls
- Nega Maluca – Brazilian Chocolate Cake
- Bolinhos de Chuva – Brazilian Funnel Cake Balls
- Canjica – Brazilian White Corn Porridge
Other Kid-Friendly Pasta Recipes
- Mac and Cheese
- Homemade Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
- Chicken Fajita Pasta Skillet
Hot Dog Pasta Recipe
This creamy hot dog pasta recipe is a quick, easy, and comforting dinner made with short pasta, sliced hot dogs, marinara sauce, heavy cream, olives, garlic, onion, and parsley. It cooks in the Instant Pot and is ready in about 20 minutes, making it a great choice for busy weeknights and simple family meals.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 large onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced, or 1 tablespoon Brazilian sofrito
- 16 oz short pasta such as rotelle
- 32 oz jar marinara sauce
- 2.5 cups water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 16 oz packages hot dogs sliced
- 2 cups olives pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley finely minced
- parmesan cheese to taste optional
Equipment
- Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
- Sharp knife
- Liquid measuring cup
- Wooden spoon
- Box grater
- Microplane
Instructions
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Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and melt the butter.
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Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 1 minute.
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Add the garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often.
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Turn off the pot. Add the pasta, marinara sauce, water, heavy cream, sliced hot dogs, and olives. Stir well and make sure most of the ingredients are covered with liquid.
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Close the lid and cook on manual mode for 6 minutes.
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When the cooking time is complete, carefully release the pressure manually. Open the lid, stir well, add the parsley, and stir again.
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Serve with extra parsley and parmesan cheese, if desired.
Bom Apetite!
Notes
Some brands of marinara sauce are thicker than others. If your sauce is very thick, add an extra 1/2 cup of water to help prevent a burn warning.
If a burn warning appears, turn off the pot, release the pressure safely, open the lid, add the extra water, stir, and try again.
Nutrition
Calories: 662 kcal
Carbohydrates: 70 g
Protein: 15 g
Fat: 37 g
Saturated Fat: 20 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 13 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg
Sodium: 1459 mg
Potassium: 752 mg
Fiber: 6 g
Sugar: 11 g
Vitamin A: 2217 IU
Vitamin C: 16 mg
Calcium: 130 mg
Iron: 3 mg