My aunt makes this incredibly cheap childhood favorite whenever the grocery budget is tight. Using only 4 ingredients gives you a savory nostalgic dinner that the kids will completely devour.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient hot dog pasta is one of those humble, cozy dinners that takes me right back to childhood. My aunt used to pull this out whenever the grocery budget was tight, and we kids thought it was the best thing ever. It’s incredibly cheap, uses pantry staples, and the slow cooker does all the work. You end up with tender spiral pasta and juicy hot dog slices in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce that feels nostalgic and fun, especially for little ones.

Serve this hot dog pasta straight from the slow cooker with a simple green salad or some steamed frozen veggies on the side to round out the meal. Garlic bread, buttered toast, or even plain saltine crackers work well to soak up the extra sauce. For the kids, offer a little shredded cheese at the table so they can sprinkle it on top if you don’t mind adding a fifth ingredient. A jar of pickles or carrot sticks on the side adds a nice crunchy contrast to the soft, saucy pasta.