Here’s a Chili Cheese Dog Bake — a hearty, cheesy, comfort-food casserole that tastes like loaded chili dogs without the assembly hassle 🌭🧀🔥
🌭 Chili Cheese Dog Bake
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 6–8 hot dogs, sliced into ½–1 inch pieces
- 6–8 hot dog buns (or 2 cups cubed sandwich bread)
For the Chili:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
For the Cheese Topping:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend)
- 2–3 green onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Chili
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat with onions and garlic until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, cumin, beans (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.
2️⃣ Assemble the Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Slice hot dogs and spread evenly in the dish.
- If using buns, tear into chunks and sprinkle over hot dogs.
- Pour chili evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese generously on top.
3️⃣ Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional: broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden, crispy top.
4️⃣ Serve
- Garnish with chopped green onions or pickled jalapeños if desired.
- Serve hot with extra mustard or ketchup on the side.
🔥 Tips
- Use canned chili or leftover chili for a shortcut.
- For a spicy version, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chili.
- Can swap cheddar for mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed tortilla chips or crushed fries on top before baking.
If you want, I can also give a one-pan skillet version or a slow cooker version that’s even easier to assemble.
Do you want the baked casserole version or a quick skillet version?
