Hotdog Pasta | Easy Hotdog Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Please don’t be put off by the title — this recipe was born from one of those moments when the kids asked, “What’s for dinner?” and I replied, “Hotdog pasta.” They looked utterly confused and completely unconvinced… until they tried it. It went down so well that even their friends loved it. I first found the idea in a Marcus Wareing recipe book and then adapted it to suit our family’s taste.
Hotdog pasta is one of those brilliantly simple dinners that always puts a smile on the table: quick to make, using ingredients you probably already have, with soft pasta, savoury hotdog slices and a tomatoey flavour sauce. It’s fun, comforting and perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without any fuss
Serving Suggestions for Hotdog Pasta
- Garlic bread or cheesy garlic baguette
- Simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Steamed broccoli, green beans, or peas
- Crispy potato wedges or oven chips for a kid‑friendly side
- Tomato and cucumber salad for freshness
- Coleslaw — classic, creamy, or crunchy apple slaw
- Grated cheese, chilli flakes, or fresh herbs on top
- Garlic mushrooms for something a bit richer
- Crusty bread to mop up the sauce
Variations: Hotdog Pasta
- Extra‑Creamy Hotdog Pasta — add cream or cream cheese for a richer, silkier sauce.
- Hotdog & Sweetcorn Pasta — stir in sweetcorn for pops of sweetness that brighten the tomato base.
- Hotdog & Pea Pasta — add peas for gentle sweetness and extra colour.
- Hotdog & Spinach Pasta — wilt spinach into the sauce for colour and a soft, silky texture.
- Hotdog & Mushroom Pasta — include mushrooms for earthy savoury depth.
- Hotdog & Pepper Pasta — add sliced peppers for sweetness and colour.
- Hotdog & Broccoli Pasta — stir in small broccoli florets for freshness and extra veg.
- Hotdog & Chilli Pasta — add chilli flakes for gentle heat that lifts the tomato sauce.
- Hotdog & Herb Pasta — increase basil or parsley for a more fragrant finish.
- Hotdog & Garlic‑Rich Pasta — add extra garlic for deeper aromatic warmth.
- Hotdog & Cheesy Pasta — stir in extra cheddar or mozzarella for a more indulgent, melty finish.
- Hotdog & Tomato‑Rich Pasta — add tomato paste for extra depth and a richer colour.
- Hotdog & Courgette Pasta — include sliced courgette for a light, summery twist.
- Hotdog & Bacon Pasta — add crispy bacon for smoky savoury depth.
- Hotdog Pasta Bake — top with cheese and bake for a golden, crispy finish
Hotdog pasta
Hotdog pasta with soft pasta shapes and sliced hotdogs in a rich tomato sauce, creating a glossy, comforting bowl that looks homely and full of flavour
Equipment
- frying pan
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 70 g diced pancetta
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped or a couple of pinches of onion granules
- 10 frankfurter sausages, cut into 2½ cm pieces
- splash of port (or you can use red wine)
- 400 g passata
- handful of basil, roughly chopped
- dash of worcester sauce
- 1 tbsp oregano
- salt and pepper
- 400 g pasta shapes
- grated cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large high-sided frying pan over a medium heat, add the bacon and cook until starting to brown. Stir in the onion, garlic and frankfurter pieces and cook until the onion is starting to soften and brown (if using onion granules you will only need to cook for a few mins) stir continuously to prevent sticking to the pan.
- Pour a splash of port into the pan and stir to de-glaze, loosening anything on the bottom of the pan. Stir in the passata (or tomatoes), fill half the tin with water and add that too (should be approx. 200ml), add the basil, Worcestershire sauce and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10mins.
- In the meantime, cook the pasta following the packet instructions.
- When the pasta has cooked, drain and add to the sauce and stir. Serve immediately with grated cheese on top…..