Doc Bear's Southern Chili Manicotti

A creative fusion dish combining hot dogs wrapped in cheese, stuffed into manicotti shells, and topped with chili. This unique recipe represents Southern comfort food innovation.

Ingredients

  • 14 each manicotti noodles
  • 14 each bun length hot dogs
  • 14 each slices of cheese
  • 1 qt chili with beans
  • 4 oz onion, diced
  • 8 oz shredded cheese
  • 4 oz jalapeno's

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F
  2. Bring a large stock pot filled ¾ with water and 1 Tbsp of salt to a boil. Remove from heat and soak manicotti noodles in the water for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. While noodles are softening, take the hot dogs and wrap one slice of cheese around each hot dog. Press firmly so that the cheese does not unwrap.
  4. Once the noodles are sufficiently soft, hold the noodle firmly in one hand while using the other hand to stuff the shell with the cheese wrapped hot dog.
  5. If the wrapped hot dog is too big to go in the noodle, you can cut a slit in the hot dog down the middle leaving a small portion on each end, and stuff a portion of cheese inside the hot dog, and then press it into the noodle.
  6. Once the hot dog is in the noodle, place it in a baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray. Repeat stuffing until all shells are filled and the baking dish is full.
  7. Take chili and pour enough over the noodles so that all are completely covered.
  8. Top with onions and jalapenos, if desired. Then cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. After baking, remove foil and top with shredded cheese, then return to the oven to finish cooking for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is properly melted and the center of a stuffed shell reads 165°F on a thermometer.
  10. Dish can be placed under the broiler on low if a browning of the cheese is desired.