Grown-Up White Trash Dinner

Looking through my fridge and cabinet to figure what I was going to make for dinner tonight, I noticed leftover Lil' Smokies and blue box package Macaroni and Cheese.  Now, I'm a southerner and one way we would make mac and cheese into an entree was by adding hot dogs to it. So I figured I could come up with a fancier grown-up version and this is what I came up with.
Grown Up Weenies in Mac and Cheese
Grown Up Weenies in Mac and Cheese
12 Lil' Smokies,* cut in half
1 box Macaroni and Cheese Mix (I used Kraft, but whatever kind you have works.)
1 cup Frozen Peas**
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard 
1 tsp Paprika
1/4 cup milk
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

Boil the pasta following the box directions.  Throw the Lil' Smokies in for the last two minutes.  Put the frozen peas in the colander.  Drain the pasta and smokies over it, let it sit like that until you finish with the sauce.  This will defrost the peas.

Take the pot off of heat.  Put the butter in the warm pot - this will get it started melting.  Add the mustard, paprika, milk, and cheese mix from the box.  Mix until well blended.  Taste and adjust the seasoning.***  Add the cheddar cheese and the drained pasta mix from the colander.  Stir to cover everything with the sauce and melt the cheese.  Let it sit for a couple minutes.  Serve.

* You could also use hot dogs cut into bite-sized pieces.  The Lil' Smokies do have a really nice smoke taste to them that adds a lot to the dish, though.
** Spinach or broccoli would also work.  Seriously, you could switch out any vegetable or add multiple vegetables.  Veggies other than peas, may require additional defrosting.
*** You could also add garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, etc.  Have fun with it!

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