My uncle survived his college years cooking this 4 ingredient depression era favorite. The perfectly caramelized edges and tender savory bites make it an insanely cheap and hearty dinner you will crav

This 4-ingredient hot dog hash is the kind of humble, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that got a lot of people through lean years—my uncle included during his college days. It’s inspired by depression-era cooking, when stretching a few pantry staples into something hot, filling, and comforting was the goal. Sliced hot dogs, potatoes, onions, and a bit of fat transform into a skillet of deeply caramelized, savory bites with crisp edges and tender centers. It’s cheap, fast, and wonderfully nostalgic, the sort of meal you’ll want to tuck into on a rainy evening when you need something simple and satisfying.

Serve this hot dog hash straight from the skillet or packed into a plastic container for easy leftovers. It’s great with a simple green salad or steamed frozen vegetables to add some freshness. A fried or soft-scrambled egg on top turns it into a hearty brunch, while a splash of hot sauce, ketchup, or yellow mustard on the side leans into classic ballpark flavors. If you want to round it out further, pair it with buttered toast, cornbread, or a bowl of tomato soup for a full, cozy meal.

Servings: 3–4

12 ounces red hot dogs or frankfurters, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

Prep the ingredients: Slice the hot dogs into 1/4-inch rounds. Scrub the potatoes (peel if you prefer) and cut them into 1/2-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Peel and thinly slice the onion from root to tip into half-moons.

Par-cook the potatoes: Add the potato cubes to a saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a brisk simmer and cook just until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife, 5–7 minutes. Drain well and let the potatoes steam off in the colander so excess moisture evaporates.

Brown the hot dogs: While the potatoes cook, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil or bacon fat in a large, heavy skillet (cast iron works well) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced hot dogs in an even layer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the edges are browned and crisp in spots and some of the fat has rendered, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer the browned hot dogs to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.

Caramelize the onions: Reduce the heat to medium. If the skillet looks dry, add another 1 tablespoon of oil or fat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently and scraping up any browned bits, until the onions are soft, translucent, and starting to turn golden around the edges, 8–10 minutes. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat slightly.

Crisp the potatoes: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil or fat to the onions, then add the drained potatoes in an even layer. Sprinkle with the 1 teaspoon of salt and the black pepper. Let the potatoes cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes so they develop a crust on the bottom, then gently flip and continue cooking, stirring every few minutes, until the potatoes are golden brown and crisp on several sides and tender inside, about 10–12 minutes.

Combine and finish: Return the browned hot dogs and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Toss gently to combine with the potatoes and onions. Cook for another 3–5 minutes, letting everything sizzle together so the flavors meld and the edges get deeply caramelized. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Serve or store: Serve the hot dog hash hot, straight from the skillet, or spoon it into a plastic container for an easy, packable meal. The light savory grease coating the potatoes, onions, and crisped hot dogs will thicken slightly as it cools, making for excellent leftovers that reheat well in a skillet or microwave.

For a spicier version, use spicy or smoked hot dogs and add a pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika while the potatoes crisp. If you like more onion sweetness, use two medium onions instead of one and cook them a few extra minutes for deeper caramelization. To stretch the dish further without adding more ingredients, serve the hash over plain white rice or with buttered toast on the side. You can also swap in any waxy potato you have on hand—just keep the cubes small so they cook through before the outsides over-brown. For a slightly lighter texture, skip the par-boil and cook the potatoes low and slow in the skillet from raw, covered for the first 10 minutes, then uncovered until crisp; this takes longer but concentrates the flavor. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and re-crisp nicely in a hot skillet with a teaspoon of oil, making it perfect for next-day lunches or a quick solo dinner.