Of course! The Chili Cheese Dog Casserole is the ultimate comfort food mashup, taking all the deliciousness of a ballpark chili cheese dog and transforming it into an easy, family-friendly casserole. It’s cheesy, savory, slightly spicy, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
This recipe is incredibly versatile—use your favorite canned chili or homemade, and any brand of hot dog you love.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients:
· 8 hot dogs, sliced into ½-inch coins
· 1 (15 oz) can of your favorite chili (with or without beans)
· 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll sheets (or crescent rolls, pressed together)
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened (optional, for extra creaminess)
· ½ cup diced onion (optional)
· Optional Toppings:
· 1 cup Fritos or tortilla chips, lightly crushed
· Sliced jalapeños
· Diced tomato
· Chopped green onion
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown the Hot Dogs (Optional but Recommended): In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sliced hot dogs for 4-5 minutes until they are lightly browned. This adds a ton of flavor. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Create the Filling
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the browned hot dogs, canned chili, 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the softened cream cheese (if using). Stir until everything is well combined. If you’re using diced onion, add it here.
- Taste and Adjust: Give the mixture a taste and see if it needs any extra seasoning (like a pinch of cumin or garlic powder).
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Prepare the Pan: Unroll the crescent roll sheet and press it evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish, pinching any seams together to form a solid crust.
- Add the Filling: Spread the chili and hot dog mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent roll crust is golden brown and the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Add Crunchy Topping (Optional): If using Fritos or crushed tortilla chips, sprinkle them over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set slightly. Garnish with any other desired toppings like jalapeños or green onion.
Chef’s Tips & Variations
· From-Scratch Chili: For the best flavor, use 2-3 cups of your favorite homemade chili instead of canned.
· Spice it Up: Use spicy hot dogs or a can of “Hot” chili. You can also mix in a tablespoon of chopped pickled jalapeños into the filling.
· Different Dough: You can substitute the crescent roll dough with a tube of refrigerated pizza crust or even a layer of pre-made biscuit dough.
· Make it a “Tot” Dog Casserole: For a truly epic version, skip the crescent roll crust and instead top the chili and hot dog mixture with a full bag (about 32 oz) of frozen tater tots. Bake as directed, and you have a Chili Cheese Tot Dog Casserole!
· Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
This casserole is the definition of easy, cheesy, and satisfying. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight, a game day gathering, or whenever a craving for classic comfort food strikes